Simon Aron Eibeschütz (14 November 1786 – 25 November 1856) was a Jewish Danish businessman and philanthropist.

Early life and education

Eiberchutz was born on 14 November 1786 to merchant Aron Eibeschütz (c. 1736–1812) and Serie (Sara) Levy (c. 1740–1820). His father was originally from Eibenschitz in Mahren where his father was a

rabbi A rabbi (; ) is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi—known as ''semikha''—following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of t ...

. He had moved to Copenhagen in 1766. Simon was the youngest of five sons.

Career

On 8 April 1807, Eiberchutz took citizenship as a commissioner. In the course of the next almost 30 years he succeeded in acquiring a large fortune. At the 1840 census, he resided in the first-floor apartment of the Holm House on

Gammeltorv Gammeltorv (Old Market) is the oldest square in Copenhagen, Denmark. With adjoining Nytorv it forms a common space along the Strøget pedestrian zone. While the square dates back to the foundation of the city in the 12th century, most of its buil ...

. In 1853, he was awarded the title of royal agent (''Kgl. agent''). In 1854, he was awarded the title of Councillor of Justice (''Justitsråd'').

Personal life and legacy

Eiberchutz was married twice. On 6 May 1807, he was married to Esther (Emma) Behrend (1787-1855). She was the daughter of businessman (''stadsmægler'') Behrend Israel Joachim (c. 1761–1821) and Dorothea Mariboe (1762–91). The marriage was later dissolved. On 11 February 1815, he was then married to Rose Wallich (1796–1870). She was a daughter of merchant Heiman Amsel Wallich (1767–1823) and Judithe Cohen (1773–1855). Having no children, Eiberchutz and his second wife donated most of their wealth to charity. On 28 January 1834 (Frederik VI's birthday), he established a home for fifteen Jewish families ( Kompagnistræde 12). He donated 10,000

Danish rigsdaler The rigsdaler was the name of several currencies used in Denmark until 1875. The similarly named Reichsthaler, riksdaler and rijksdaalder were used in Germany and Austria-Hungary, Sweden and the Netherlands, respectively. These currencies were of ...

to Frederik's Hospital and a similar amount to needy patients of the

Copenhagen Municipal Hospital Copenhagen Municipal Hospital ( Danish: Københavns Kommunehospital) was a hospital that existed from 1863 until 1999 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Its buildings, located on Øster Farimagsgade, opposite Copenhagen Botanical Garden, now form part of th ...

. By testament of 25 June 1856, together with his wife, he donated his entire fortune(approx. DKK 1,250,000) for cultural and charitable purposes, both within and outside the Jewish community. He died on 25 November 1856 and is buried at the Jewish Northern Cemetery. In 1902, together with Melchiors Stiftelse, another Jewish home for the needy, Eibeschütz Stiftelse (Simon Aron Eibeschütz Fribolig) relocated to a new building at

Ny Kongensgade Ny Kongensgade (literally "New King's Street) is a street in central Copenhagen, Denmark, connecting Frederiksholm Canal to H. C. Andersens Boulevard. In the opposite direction, The Prince's Bridge connects the street to Tøjhusgade on Slotshol ...

10-12.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eibeschutz, Simon 19th-century Danish businesspeople Danish philanthropists Businesspeople from Copenhagen Danish Jews 1786 births 1856 deaths