| AdminHistory | Herbert Bentwich (originally Bentwitch), born London, the youngest of three children of Marks, or Mattos (Mattathias) Bentwitch, jeweller and rabbi, and his wife, Rosa, or Rose, 1856; Bachelor of Laws, University College London, 1872; married Susannah (Susie, 1861-1915), daughter of Joseph Solomon, leather dresser, 1880; nine daughters and two sons, including Norman de Mattos Bentwich (1883-1971), colonial official and exponent of Jewish ideals; completed his articles with Emmanuel and Simmons, and set up practice as a solicitor; became a specialist in copyright law; called to the Bar, 1902; admitted to the Inner Temple, 1903; editor of the Law Journal, 1907-1924; took an active part in the work of the Incorporated Law Society; arbitrator in the London Chamber of Arbitration; formed an English branch of the Society of Jewish Jurisprudence, 1926; voluntary work for the Jewish Board of Guardians, 1875; honorary secretary of a group which organized free lectures for Jewish working men, 1876; honorary secretary, Stepney Jewish schools, 1877; honorary secretary, education committee of Jews' College, 1878; launched an abortive campaign to establish Jewish denominational schools among the middle-class Jews of north London, 1880; elected to the board of St John's Wood Synagogue, 1883; one of the founders of the the order of Ancient Maccabeans, 1891, Grand Commander, 1905-1919; helped to found the Hampstead synagogue, 1892; vice-chief of the Chovevei Zion movement and commander of its Western Tent, 1894; led tour of Palestine, 1897; convened a conference of English Zionists in London, 1898; foundation chairman of the English Zionist Federation, 1898, but left in 1909; elected to the Board of Deputies of British Jews, 1901; investigated the status of Romanian Jewry, 1902; served on the Zionist political advisory committee, 1916-1918; had a prominent role in the negotiations leading to the Balfour Declaration in 1917; attended the Paris peace conference as a member of the committee of Jewish delegations; belonged to the Society of Wanderers; legal adviser for the Jewish Colonial Trust; Member of General Committee Palestine Exploration Fund; formed a London branch of B'nai B'rith; honorary president of the Zionist societies of London and Cambridge universities; moved to Palestine, 1929; died 1932. Publications include: 'Treatise on the Law of Copyright in Designs'; 'The Military Service Acts' Practice'; Pamphlets on Chambers of Arbitration, A Plea for a General School of Law, the Administration of the Aliens' Act, and Zionism; political and other articles in Nineteenth Century, Fortnightly, the English and other reviews. |