Lily Montagu
Encyclopedia
Lilian Helen "Lily" Montagu, CBE
(22 December 1873 - 22 January 1963) was the first woman to play a major role in Reform Judaism
.
She was the sixth of ten children born to Ellen Cohen Montagu (1843–1919) and Samuel Montagu (né Montagu Samuel), a self-made millionaire by the age of thirty, Samuel Montagu
(1832–1911) was a wealthy banker and bullion broker, a member of the House of Commons and later, as the 1st Baron Swaythling
, in the House of Lords. She was the sister of Edwin Samuel Montagu
and cousin to Herbert Samuel, 1st Viscount Samuel
. Although she grew up in an Orthodox Jewish
family, she was influenced by Claude Montefiore
, a reform-oriented philanthropist and scholar. Until the age of 15, she was educated at Doreck College, and privately educated thereafter.
In 1893 she founded the West Central Jewish Girls Club (which subsequently merged into the Jewish Girls' Brigade
). She was active in social improvement; particularly in respect to unemployment, sweat shops and bad housing.
In 1901 and 1902, Montagu lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Jewish Religious Union in London. The Union set up the first synagogue in Liberal Judaism
in the UK and helped found the World Union for Progressive Judaism
. Following the retirement of Leo Baeck, Montagu served for a brief stint (1955–1959) in her 80s as president of the WUPJ, before handing the reins over to Solomon Freehof
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(22 December 1873 - 22 January 1963) was the first woman to play a major role in Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
.
She was the sixth of ten children born to Ellen Cohen Montagu (1843–1919) and Samuel Montagu (né Montagu Samuel), a self-made millionaire by the age of thirty, Samuel Montagu
Samuel Montagu, 1st Baron Swaythling
Samuel Montagu, 1st Baron Swaythling was a British banker who founded the bank of Samuel Montagu & Co.. He was a philanthropist and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1885 to 1900, and was later raised to the peerage.Montagu was born in Liverpool as Montagu Samuel, the second...
(1832–1911) was a wealthy banker and bullion broker, a member of the House of Commons and later, as the 1st Baron Swaythling
Baron Swaythling
Baron Swaythling, of Swaythling in the County of Southampton, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1907 for the prominent Jewish banker, Liberal politician and philanthropist, Sir Samuel Montagu, 1st Baronet. He had already been created a Baronet, of Swaythling in the...
, in the House of Lords. She was the sister of Edwin Samuel Montagu
Edwin Samuel Montagu
Edwin Samuel Montagu PC was a British Liberal politician. He notably served as Secretary of State for India between 1917 and 1922.-Background and education:...
and cousin to Herbert Samuel, 1st Viscount Samuel
Herbert Samuel, 1st Viscount Samuel
Herbert Louis Samuel, 1st Viscount Samuel GCB OM GBE PC was a British politician and diplomat.-Early years:...
. Although she grew up in an Orthodox Jewish
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
family, she was influenced by Claude Montefiore
Claude Montefiore
Claude Joseph Goldsmid Montefiore was son of Nathaniel Montefiore, and the great nephew of Sir Moses Montefiore. Some identify him as a significant figure in the contexts of modern Jewish religious thought, Jewish-Christian relations, and Anglo-Jewish socio-politics.-Education:He was educated at...
, a reform-oriented philanthropist and scholar. Until the age of 15, she was educated at Doreck College, and privately educated thereafter.
In 1893 she founded the West Central Jewish Girls Club (which subsequently merged into the Jewish Girls' Brigade
Jewish Lads' and Girls' Brigade
The Jewish Lads' and Girls' Brigade is a national Jewish youth organisation.The JLGB is the UK's oldest Jewish youth movement. It was founded in 1895 as the Jewish Lads' Brigade by Colonel Albert E. W. Goldsmid, a senior army officer, to provide an interest for children of the many poor immigrant...
). She was active in social improvement; particularly in respect to unemployment, sweat shops and bad housing.
In 1901 and 1902, Montagu lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Jewish Religious Union in London. The Union set up the first synagogue in Liberal Judaism
Liberal Judaism
Liberal Judaism , is one of the two forms of Progressive Judaism found in the United Kingdom, the other being Reform Judaism. Liberal Judaism, which developed at the beginning of the twentieth century is less conservative than UK Reform Judaism...
in the UK and helped found the World Union for Progressive Judaism
World Union for Progressive Judaism
The World Union for Progressive Judaism describes itself as the "international umbrella organization for the Reform, Liberal, Progressive and Reconstructionist movements." This overall Jewish religious movement is based in about 40 countries with more than 1,000 affiliated synagogues...
. Following the retirement of Leo Baeck, Montagu served for a brief stint (1955–1959) in her 80s as president of the WUPJ, before handing the reins over to Solomon Freehof
Solomon Freehof
Solomon Bennett Freehof was a prominent Reform rabbi, posek, and scholar. Rabbi Freehof served as president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Beginning in 1955, he led the CCAR's work on Jewish law through its responsa committee...
.
Sources
- Meyer, MichaelMichael MeyerMichael Leverson Meyer was an English translator, biographer, journalist and dramatist.-Life:Meyer was born in London into a timber merchant family of Jewish origin, and studied English at Christ Church College, Oxford. His first translation of a Swedish book was the novel The Long Ships by Frans...
. Response to Modernity - Encyclopaedia JudaicaEncyclopaedia JudaicaThe Encyclopaedia Judaica is a 26-volume English-language encyclopedia of the Jewish people and their faith, Judaism. It covers diverse areas of the Jewish world and civilization, including Jewish history of all eras, culture, holidays, language, scripture, and religious teachings...
v.12, p. 265