No person in Jewish history was ever more renowned for philanthropy and generosity than the nineteenth-century British baronet, Sir Moses Montefiore.
After retiring from his lucrative business career at the age of 40, he devoted the remainder of his life to Jewish communities in need.
Together with his beloved wife, Lady Judith, he traveled widely, assisting Jews in crisis wherever he went. Montefiore visited the Holy Land seven times, a record for the nineteenth century, and he became the first person to create livelihood opportunities for the struggling yishuv, until then completely dependent on handouts from overseas.
Montefiore also met with world leaders on behalf of fellow Jews, and was instrumental in advocating for numerous Jewish communities in difficult circumstances.
Feted as an international celebrity in his lifetime, Montefiore lived to be more than one hundred years old.
Rabbi Dunner charts the long, remarkable life of this unique Jewish luminary, revealing the fascinating details of his trailblazing activities, the impact of which are still felt today.
THIS LECTURE WAS GIVEN BY ZOOM FOR MEMBERS OF LONDON’S HENDON ADATH YISROEL CONGREGATION ON JUNE 23, 2020