Lehman Kahn (September 9, 1827 – February 4, 1915), also known by the
pseudonym
A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true meaning ( orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individual's o ...
L. K. Amitaï, was a Belgian Jewish educationist and writer.
Biography
Lehman Kahn was born in
Breisach
Breisach am Rhein (, ; formerly Alt-Breisach, , in contrast to " New Breisach"; Low Alemannic: ''Alt-Brisach''), commonly known as Breisach, is a town with approximately 16,500 inhabitants, situated along the Rhine in the Rhine Valley, in the di ...
,
Baden
Baden (; ) is a historical territory in southern Germany. In earlier times it was considered to be on both sides of the Upper Rhine, but since the Napoleonic Wars, it has been considered only East of the Rhine.
History
The margraves of Ba ...
, to
Jewish
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
parents Sara () and David Kahn. He was educated at the
Progymnasium
''Gymnasium'' (and variations of the word) is a term in various European languages for a secondary school that prepares students for higher education at a university. It is comparable to the US English term '' preparatory high school'' or th ...
of Breisach and at the polytechnic school and the pedagogic seminary of
Carlsruhe.
After occupying the position of teacher in his native country and at the Jewish school of
Hegenheim,
Alsace
Alsace (, ; ) is a cultural region and a territorial collectivity in the Grand Est administrative region of northeastern France, on the west bank of the upper Rhine, next to Germany and Switzerland. In January 2021, it had a population of 1,9 ...
, Kahn was called to Brussels as principal of the Jewish school there (1855). He also taught singing and conducted the choir at the city's synagogue services. In October, 1863, he founded ''L'Institut International Kahn'', a school of commerce and modern languages.
Under the pseudonym L. K. Amitaï, he published essays on
intermarriage,
assimilation,
antisemitism
Antisemitism or Jew-hatred is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. A person who harbours it is called an antisemite. Whether antisemitism is considered a form of racism depends on the school of thought. Antisemi ...
, and other topics of concern to the Jewish community.
Publications
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* Translated into Dutch, English, and German.
* Two pamphlets against the plan of the Brussels city administration to close the Jewish cemeteries.
* Awarded a prize by the Academy of Sciences of Brussels.
* Two pamphlets.
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References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kahn, Lehman
1827 births
1915 deaths
Belgian Jews
19th-century Belgian educators
Jewish writers
People from Breisach
School founders
Jewish educators