Sir Moses Haim Montefiore Figurine

Moses Haim Montefiore (1784-1885) | A British-Jewish philanthropist, banker and activist. Dedicated his life to protecting the rights of Jews around the world, and to the development of settlement in Eretz Israel. Born in Livorno, Italy to an affluent Sephardic family based in England. He became very wealthy thanks to successful business dealings and was related to the Rothschild family through marriage. At the age of 40 he retired from his commercial pursuits and dedicated his life to public activity. He established a fund to support Jewish settlement and headed the Board of Deputies of British Jews. He often utilized his lineage, status, and connections to help persecuted Jewish communities worldwide. Montefiore visited Eretz Israel seven times and significantly advanced Jewish settlement in the land, by building homes, establishing medical services, factories, agricultural enterprises, schools and more. In Jerusalem, He founded the first neighborhood outside of the Old City walls – Mishkenot Sha’ananim. In 1846, Queen Victoria knighted him and he became Sir Moses Montefiore. He died in England at the age of 100.