Israel Finestein QC MA (1921–2009), an English barrister and Deputy High Court Judge, was a leader and historian of British Jewry. His writings analysed the history of divisions amongst the Jews of England; in varied roles he worked for communal change and reconciliation.

Early life

Israel "Shmuel" Finestein was the youngest of nine children of a

Kingston upon Hull Kingston upon Hull, usually shortened to Hull, is a historic maritime city and unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It lies upon the River Hull at its confluence with the Humber Est ...

Jewish tailor, who had emigrated from

Chervyen Chervyen or Cherven, previously known as Ihumen until 1923, is a town in Minsk Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Chervyen District. In 2016, its population was 9,718.Minsk Minsk (, ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach (Berezina), Svislach and the now subterranean Nyamiha, Niamiha rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administra ...

) around 1905.Alderman, G (2009). In Memoriam. His Honour Judge Israel Finestein. The Jewish Journal of Sociology,51,3-4. https://archive.jpr.org.uk/download?id=2784 He grew up speaking Yiddish as well as English. After Kingston High School, a Hull grammar school, at Trinity College Cambridge in 1943 he achieved Double 1st in History under G.M.Trevelyan.

Professional career

Finestein laboured in Churchill's war history team, then studied law, and in 1946 joined the chambers of Quintin Hogg, later Lord Hailsham, Lord Chancellor; specialising in family law, he was called to the Bar in 1953. He became a QC in 1970, County, Crown, and then deputy High Court Judge in the family division. Among his many posts were Chairman of England's Mental Health Review Tribunal.

Historical work

As an amateur but scholarly historian, he interpreted and reassessed Anglo-Jewry in the Victorian and Edwardian period. His works cover the Emancipation of British Jews, key figures like Sir Moses Montefiore, Jewish education, and also recent leadership of the community. He was twice President of the Jewish Historical Society of England, 1973-5.

Community leadership

Finestein studied and worked with the central institutions of British Jewry established in Victorian times; he was a member of Council of the United Synagogue, as well as the Council of Christians and Jews. After many years of service he became President of the

Board of Deputies of British Jews The Board of Deputies of British Jews, commonly referred to as the Board of Deputies, is the largest and second oldest Jewish communal organisation in the United Kingdom, after the Initiation Society which was founded in 1745. Established in 17 ...

1991-94, with international roles including vice president of The World Jewish Congress. At the Board of Deputies he "used his presidency to institute reforms of its organisation and constitution while enhancing, through the force of his own personality, its gravitas and public status."

Charitable work

Finestein's interest in Jewish education brought him to be a charity trustee of The Jew's Free School, Jew's College and British ORT. Having been president of the

Cambridge University The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...

Jewish Society and chairman of the Universities Zionist Council and the Inter University Jewish Federation, he was one of the founders in 1953 of the

Hillel Foundation Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, alternatively Hillel International or simply Hillel, is the largest Jewish student organization in the world. Hillel brands itself as a safe space for Jewish students and events aimed at facilitati ...

which supports Jewish students. As President of the Norwood learning disability and family charity he reviewed the history of its Royal patronage for HM Queen at the

Guildhall A guildhall, also known as a guild hall or guild house, is a historical building originally used for tax collecting by municipalities or merchants in Europe, with many surviving today in Great Britain and the Low Countries. These buildings commo ...

. He was also a Trustee of

Jewish Care Jewish Care is a British charity, working mainly in London and South East England, providing health and social care support services for the Jewish community. The charity runs over 70 centres and services which include care homes, community centr ...

, and Chair of the

Jewish Museum A Jewish museum is a museum which focuses upon Jews and may refer seek to explore and share the Jewish experience in a given area. Notable Jewish museums include: Albania * Solomon Museum, Berat Australia * Jewish Museum of Australia, Melbourn ...

1989-92. He supported David Kessler and th
Kessler Foundation
in reviewing the history of the

Jewish Chronicle ''The Jewish Chronicle'' (''The JC'') is a London-based Jewish weekly newspaper. Founded in 1841, it is the oldest continuously published Jewish newspaper in the world. Its editor () is Daniel Schwammenthal. The newspaper is published every Fri ...

Personal life

Israel Finestein was predeceased by wife of almost 60 years Marion nee Oster, leaving no children. Two of Shmuel's Hull-born nephews also became Judges — John Finestein and Colin Lang. Israel Finestein was the most important communal leader to emerge from the Jews of Kingston-upon-Hull. His long-researched "home town" essay on the Jews of Hull is definitive; Hull was the only local community about which he wrote. He received an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Hull.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Finestein, Israel 1921 births 2009 deaths People from Kingston upon Hull 20th-century King's Counsel Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge 20th-century English Jews Presidents of the Board of Deputies of British Jews 21st-century English Jews