Jacob H. Schiff: A Study in American Jewish Leadership
(Part of the Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture, and Life Series)
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Book Overview
The life of Jacob Schiff (1847 - 1920), banker, financier, and leader of the American Jewish community from 1880 to 1920, is in many ways the quintessential story of an immigrant's success in America. Born in Frankfurt in 1847, Schiff worked in several financial firms in Germany and the US before accepting a position at the New York banking firm of Kuhn, Loeb & Company in 1875 and settling for good in America. Part of a wealthy and powerful German Jewish circle that included the Warburgs and Rothschilds, Schiff played a central role in shaping American and European Jewish history. From his base on Wall Street, he was the foremost Jewish leader in what became known as the "Schiff era," grappling with all major issues and problems of the day, including the plight of Russian Jews under the czar, American and international anti-Semitism, care of needy Jewish immigrants, and the rise of Zionism. Based on a broad range of primary sources, Naomi W. Cohen's study emphasizes the role Schiff played as the preeminent leader of American Jewry at the turn of the century.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0874519489
ISBN13:9780874519488
Release Date:October 1999
Publisher:Brandeis University Press
Length:336 Pages
Weight:1.48 lbs.
Dimensions:1.2" x 6.5" x 9.5"
Related Subjects
Biographical Biographies Biographies & History Biography & History Business Business & Investing Ethnic & National Historical History Jewish Leaders & Notable People Minority Studies Political Politics & Social Sciences Professionals & Academics Social Science Social Sciences Specific Demographics WorldCustomer Reviews
1 rating
compelling portrait of a complex man
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
A window on an aspect of American Jewish history not as familiar as the mass immigration from eastern Europe, Cohen's book is also an unexpected window on an even less frequently explored topic: the use of great wealth to do good in the world. Schiff did not establish a foundation, screen grants, or hire professional advisors to guide his good works - he simply used his money to right wrongs where he saw them. Like giving half a million dollars to Barnard College as a reward for it's refusal to countenance discrimination against Jews. Or arranging mega-buck loans for the Japanese government during the Russo-Japanese War as a way of sticking it to the anti-Semitic Russians (who lost that war.) Not all of his ideas worked out, but you have to admire a man who had the courage of his convictions, and the character to put his money where his mouth was.
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