Montefiore Endowment – Preserving and developing the legacy of Sir Moses Montefiore

Browse the beautiful collections

The Montefiore Collections include items and papers once belonging to Sir Moses as well as manuscripts, books, silver and vestments.

Montefiore Testimonials

Over 400 of which have been digitised and published online, were sent as tributes to Sir Moses from all over the world, mostly on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

The Montefiore Censuses,

Published here online, were compiled between 1839 and 1875 and cover the Jewish inhabitants of the Holy Land, Alexandria, Sidon and Beirut.

The College

The Montefiore College, established by Sir Moses in memory of his wife Judith who died in 1866, runs programmes of advanced Torah education. Its Semicha course was established to produce a new generation of rabbis for the Anglo-Jewish community. Fifteen of its students have already graduated as rabbis; and new courses start every four years, or more frequently according to demand. A third intake commenced their studies in November 2013.
Its Dayanut course, delivered at the Montefiore College in London by Eretz Hemdah, Jerusalem, is now preparing some twenty qualified senior rabbis in the English-speaking world and beyond with advanced halachic knowledge in the topics of Marriage, Divorce and Conversion for Semicha 'Yadin Yadin for the Diaspora'. The Gap-Year Fellowship Scheme assists school leavers to spend a year in yeshiva/seminary in Jerusalem.

Sir Moses

The life and times of Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., described at the peak of Britain's imperial power as "the most famous Jew in the world"; the history and the current activities of the Montefiore Endowment, which has continued until now to administer Sir Moses's bequest in accordance with British Charity Law and in a manner that its trustees are confident he would have approved; and the Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation, London of which Sir Moses was a member - the oldest synagogue in England and the one which he led for many years.

The Montefiore Synagogue and Mausoleum in Ramsgate. Information and how to book visits.

The Collections

The Montefiore Collections include items and papers once belonging to Sir Moses as well as manuscripts, books, silver and vestments from the Montefiore College and Synagogue.
Montefiore Testimonials. Over 400 of which have been digitised and published online, were sent as tributes to Sir Moses from all over the world, mostly on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
The Montefiore Censuses, published here online, were compiled between 1839 and 1875 and cover the Jewish inhabitants of the Holy Land, Alexandria, Sidon and Beirut.
NEW!Work is now in progress to catalogue the hundreds of Montefiore Petitions sent to Sir Moses from all over the world during his visits to the Holy Land.

The Montefiore Ethos

The Montefiore Endowment aims to promote the values of tolerance, social harmony and mutual understanding for wide public benefit in accordance with the teachings of the Torah and as demonstrated in the life and works of Sir Moses Montefiore. It does this through its Conferences and its planned Leadership Courses.

The Montefiore Ethos is also promoted by The Montefiore College in its Semicha Course and in the Gap-Year Fellowship Scheme

Browse Latest News Articles

RE-OPENING OF THE MONTEFIORE SYNAGOGUE AND MAUSOLEUM IN RAMSGATE

By admin September 3, 2020 September 3, 2020 Uncategorized

We will re-open from Sunday 6th September 2020 We are now open to visitors but please note the following guidelines and restrictions when visiting: All visits have to be pre-booked via our website or by emailing Ramsgate@montefioreendowment.org.uk We require a list of the names and contact details including a telephone… Continue reading

Existing Activities and Coronavirus Precautions

By Lucien Gubbay August 23, 2020 August 23, 2020 Uncategorized

The Semicha Course and the Dayanut Programmes are continuing by Zoom for the present. The Gap-Year Fellowship Scheme will start in Jerusalem as planned, fellows having been given the necessary permission to travel by the authorities The start of the new course for lay men and women has been postponed,… Continue reading

Montefiore Diploma Course for lay men and women

By Lucien Gubbay January 12, 2020 August 23, 2020 Uncategorized

The Montefiore Diploma Course for lay men and women was planned to start in September 2020. This has been prevented by necessary coronavirus precautions and because the organisers are reluctant to lose the benefit of personal interaction by commencing with presentations on Zoom. The starting of the Course has therefore… Continue reading

Congratulations to Rabbi Binyomin Marks

By Lucien Gubbay January 9, 2020 January 9, 2020 Uncategorized

Many congratulations to Rabbi Binyomin Marks on his appointment as Safra Dedayna (Secretary) of the highly respected Bet Din of the Federation of Synagogues. Rabbi Marks is presently learning with the Montefiore Dayanut Programme. Continue reading

View the Semicha Programme

Link

By admin December 12, 2016 December 15, 2016 Uncategorized

Click here to view The London Montefiore Semicha Programme

Queries addressed to the Website

By Lucien Gubbay March 9, 2014 December 8, 2017 Uncategorized

Inquirers should note that the Montefiore Endowment owns, preserves and maintains its books and manuscripts in its library at 2 Ashworth Road, London W9 1JY and those on loan to the libraries of University College London. All items are listed on our website www.montefioreendowment.org.uk Items are available for inspection and… Continue reading