–makes his first visit to Jerusalem in 1827.
Moses Haim Montefiore (born 1784 in Livorno, Italy) was a successful London businessman when he married Judith Cohen, whose sister was married to Nathan Mayer Rothschild. Montefiore then enjoyed a very successful second career as a financier, stockbroker, philanthropist… and sheriff of London!
After his journey to Israel, Montefiore becomes Orthodox (observant). In 1938 he is knighted by Queen Victoria in Jerusalem, where he builds Jewish neighborhoods outside the Old City, starting with Yemin Moshe with its famous windmill, “Montefiore’s Windmill.”
In 1861, Montefiore founds Jerusalem neighborhood Mishkanot Sha’ananim and the two Knesset Yisrael neighborhoods, among others.
Montefiore died in 1885 at age 100, having voyaged to Israel seven times to personally oversee and advance various endeavors of the budding Jewish homeland. He stands as an iconoclastic figure and quasi folk hero in Jewish lore. He is commemorated affectionately in Israeli music and literature as ha–Sar Montefiore, i.e. Minister Montefiore.
(See also entry 1839 CE)