Wilhelm Klingenstein

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Wilhelm Klingenstein , actually Wolf Klingenstein , (born May 24, 1833 in Miltenberg , † February 27, 1916 in London ) was a German- Jewish businessman and philanthropist .

W. Klingenstein's grave in Willesden, London

Life

Wilhelm Klingenstein was the third son of the needy tailor Isaak Klingenstein. His training with the aim of becoming a Jewish teacher was supported by a charitable foundation , the "Bishop's Fund". As an adult he changed his name from "Wolf" to "Wilhelm", perhaps to adapt to his Christian environment. He completed his military service in the Bavarian Army.

He later moved to London , where he met the import and trade of tobacco products became wealthy and again changed its name - from "Wilhelm" to "William".

It is not known whether, when and where he completed his commercial training and when he came to London.

For the support he received in his youth, he reciprocated with generous donations for various charitable purposes.

William Klingenstein died on February 27, 1916 in London and was buried there in the Jewish cemetery in Willesden . His gravestone bears the inscription “His life was happy. It was filled with useful service. ”(“ His life was happy. It was filled with useful service ”).

Charitable and social engagement

New synagogue in Miltenberg , made possible by Klingenstein's donation

Although he already lived in London, W. Klingenstein made the construction of the new synagogue in Miltenberg , inaugurated in 1904 , possible by paying 28% of the construction costs. The building was considered a gem and enrichment of the city, but was unfortunately destroyed inside in the course of the November pogroms in 1938 and is now hardly recognizable as a former synagogue.

In 1913 the Burgweg in Miltenberg was widened. This work would have required interventions in the old Jewish cemetery located there, which would have disrupted the peace of the dead. With a donation, W. Klingenstein financed the sandstone edging of the cemetery, which is still preserved today, and some brick arches that span several graves. This prevented these graves from falling victim to the road expansion. The dedication “Renovated in 1913 with the generous donation of Mr. W. Klingenstein” still stands on the parapet.

Graves of Klingenstein's parents in the old Jewish cemetery in Miltenberg; In the background the brick arches that protect the graves below

In his will, he also considered numerous institutions and organizations (amounts in the currency of the time and purchasing power):

  • The Tobacco Charity Trading Company in London (£ 2000)
  • The Jewish community in Miltenberg (1000 pounds)
  • The city of Miltenberg for the maintenance of the old Jewish cemetery and "for the maintenance and preservation of the secondary schools" (1000 pounds)
  • The Jewish Free School in London (£ 500)
  • The Home and Hospital for the Jewish Incurable in Tottenham (£ 500)
  • The Norwood Jewish Hospital and Orphanage (£ 500)
  • The Jewish Home for the Deaf at Wandsworth (£ 500)
  • The German Charity Society in London (£ 500)
  • The soup kitchen for the Jewish poor in London (£ 500)
  • The Deutsche Hospital in London (£ 500)
  • The Body in Support of the Jewish Poor in London (£ 500)
  • The Elderly and Needy Society to Help the Jewish Poor in London (£ 250)
  • The Jewish Society for the Blind and Poor in London (£ 250)
  • The Jewish Religious Education Corporation in London (£ 250)
  • The Anglo-Jewish Association in London (£ 250)
  • The Jewish dormitory in London (£ 250)
  • The Jewish School in London (£ 100)
  • The "Achava" society to support Jewish teachers in Frankfurt (100 pounds)
  • The German Synagogue Spital Square, London (£ 100)
  • The Jewish Bread, Meat and Coal Society in London (£ 100)
  • The Jewish School Aid Fund in London (£ 100)

The city of Miltenberg used Klingenstein's legacy, together with several other generous foundations, to merge the previously private secondary and commercial school with the Progymnasium in 1922. Even after the seizure of power by the Nazis in 1933, the Klingenstein Foundation for needy families still grants paid for school fees .

Appreciations

For his "services to the London German colony" he was awarded the Royal Prussian Order of the Crown, fourth class , in 1907 .

In view of his great services to Miltenberg, his hometown made him an honorary citizen in 1911 . The motion was unanimously accepted in the city council.

See also

literature

  • WO Keller: 775 years of the city of Miltenberg 1237-2012. Contributions to the history of the city . Miltenberg 2012, ISBN 978-3-87707-864-8
  • Spessart magazine , issue 8/1994

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Klingenstein, Wilhelm
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Klingenstein, Wolf (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German businessman and philanthropist
DATE OF BIRTH May 24, 1833
PLACE OF BIRTH Miltenberg
DATE OF DEATH February 27, 1916
Place of death London