Arieh Leon Handler

Background

Arieh Leon Handler was born on 24th of May, 1915.His father was an army officer.

Education

Handler attended Hoffmann's Yeshiva in Frankfurt while also attending a state gymnasium. Arieh later combined studies at Berlin University with the Hildesheimer Rabbinical Seminary and also studied at London School of Economics.

Career

He became the Director of the religious Youth Aliyah organisation Brit HaNoar, and organised 'Hachscharot' (vocational and agricultural training undertaken in view of emigrating to Palestine). During the war Arieh worked from Woburn House as the Director of the youth movement Bachad (Brit Chaluzim Datiyim, English: Alliance of Religious Pioneers) and travelled widely throughout the UK to farms and camps where Bachad members lived and worked.After the war, Arieh was involved with illegal immigration of survivors and refugees to Palestine. He was present at the signing of the Israeli Independence Declaration in 1948.In the 1950s Arieh came back to the UK and worked for an insurance company, later becoming a banker. He was also the president of the Mizrachi Federation and member of the Board of Deputies.

Achievements

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  As a young man, Handler was active in helping Jews escape from Germany in the years leading up to the Holocaust. In the 1930s, he came to Britain and was one of the founders of the British branch of the Religious Zionist youth movement Bnei Akiva.He was present at the signing of the Israeli Independence Declaration in 1948.He made a contribution to England, Israel and Germany,edited periodicals and papers on Jewish and economical subjects.

Works

More photos

• subscription-based publication

  • Chayenu

    (Chayenu, designed specifically for Jews in the English sp...)

Views

He believed that the leadership of Israel State in the early years of the country was stronger and better than it is today. From Handler's point of view, at that time the leaders were people like Ben Gurion, Moshe Sharett, Golda Meir, Levi Eshkol - these were party people but they were people who had tremendous strength and power .

Quotations: "I had this feeling in me that this was a historic moment, not just for the Jews but for the world".

"I would say many things - not only in the Jewish world, but in the world on the whole - would have been different if Ben Gurion had not declared this state".

Membership

Handler was a member of Presidium of Zionist General Council, president of Friends of Israel Aged, REUT, chairman of Advisory Body Torah Educational Committee, World Zionist Organization, member of United Synagogue Council and of Jews College Council and Vice Chairman of Jerusalem Boys Town.

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  The United Synagogue (US) is a union of British Orthodox Jewish synagogues, representing the central Orthodox movement in Judaism.

  United Synagogue Council , UK

• Jews' College is a London-based organisation providing adult educational courses and training to the wider Jewish community. Since 2012 LSJS also offers rabbinical training, returning to its roots.

  Jews College Council , London

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  Boys Town Jerusalem is an Orthodox Jewish educational institution in Jerusalem.

  Jerusalem Boys Town , Jerusalem

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  Zionist General Council (ZGC) is the supreme institution of the Zionist movement. The ZGC was established in 1921 following a decision reached at the 11th World Zionist Congress.

  Zionist General Council

• There are many Friends of Israel groups active around the world and in a variety of fields, such as academic, legal, political, etc.

  Friends of Israel Aged, REUT

• The World Zionist Organization, or WZO, is a non-governmental organization that promotes Zionism.

  Advisory Body Torah Educational Committee, World Zionist Organization

Personality

He was a fascinating individual, always happy to share advice and relate stories, yet modest to an extreme.Many people remembered him as a gentleman. He respected other's views and was always very calm. Also he was always willing to discuss different views.

Quotes from others about the person

• Michael Rainsbury, mazkir of Bnei Akiva, said: "Arieh was one of the great Jewish heroes of the modern world and his achievements are almost too great to number".
  
  Simon Levy, former BA mazkir and Mizrachi UK committee member, said:"He was an inspiration and one of the rare individuals for whom it is appropriate to use the word 'great'. He was a fascinating individual, always happy to share advice and relate stories, yet modest to an extreme."
  
  In a statement, the Board of Deputies said: "Following his truly remarkable work saving Jewish lives during the Holocaust, Mr Handler also became the source of inspiration for numerous young people and nurtured many future leaders of UK Jewry".
  
  Board president, Vivian Wineman, said: "Mr. Handler's contribution to UK Jewry, to the state of Israel and to the Jewish people in general is immeasurable and his legacy will continue for generations to come".

Connections

He was married and had two sons.

Spouse:

Henny Prilutzky

Son:

Gabriel

Son:

Danny