Opinion: The intertwining of the Rothschilds with a 19th century King’s Chief Rabbi
Jewish News' historian Derek Taylor on the links between a legendary banking dynasty and the 19th century's Hermann Adler, the Victorian era's religious leader referred to as 'My Chief Rabbi' by King Edward VII
Lord Jacob Rothchild died last week at the age of 87. When I discovered that Hermann Adler, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire from 1891 to 1911, was a Rothschild on his mother’s side, Lord Rothschild readily agreed to write a foreword to my biography of the Victorian Chief Rabbi.
Like his ancestor, Lord Rothschild maintained throughout his life his family’s tradition of massive philanthropy and the National Library in Israel is a fitting memorial to his generosity.
What he wrote about the Chief Rabbi applies equally well to his own contribution throughout his life and this is what he wrote.
“The history of the Adlers and the Rothschilds began in the Frankfurt ghetto in the 18th century. Some hundred years later Hermann Adler was elected Chief Rabbi of Britain and the Empire by the United Synagogue Council whose president was Nathaniel Rothschild, later the first Lord Rothschild. As this book recounts their cooperation was important over the next 30 years as they did everything in their power to cope with the enormous influx of impoverished refugee Jews, who had fled Russia and for the most part found their way to the East End of London.
“The Rothschilds had established themselves with great success as merchant bankers, but the family always remembered that charity is one of the redeeming features praised in the annual Yom Kippur service. In this contest Hermann Adler contributed enormously as Chief Rabbi to the Jewish community in the UK and beyond.
“It is, therefore, highly appropriate that this book should tell the story of this remarkable and dedicated man, a great spiritual leader. There is a family relationship, for Hermann Adler was a Rothschild on has mother’s side. After many years, when he had been almost forgotten, it gives me particular pleasure to write this foreword and for the story of his life to be told.”
As Shakespeare said in Julius Caesar: “The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft interred with their bones”. The generosity of the Rothschilds will continue, as will their magnificent home at Waddesdon, and we can only hope that the record of a great man remains part of the history of the community.
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