Background
Flora Gubbay was born in 1859 in Bombay, India. Her father was Ezekiel Gubbay (1824–1896), a trader and businessman who had come to India from Baghdad, Iraq, and her mother, Aziza Sassoon (1839–1897).
Hebraist businesswoman Philanthropist
Flora Gubbay was born in 1859 in Bombay, India. Her father was Ezekiel Gubbay (1824–1896), a trader and businessman who had come to India from Baghdad, Iraq, and her mother, Aziza Sassoon (1839–1897).
Her maternal grandfather was Albert Abdullah David Sassoon (1818–1896). She had five siblings. She went to Catholic school and was also tutored privately from rabbis from Baghdad.
By the age of seventeen, she spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, Hindustani, English, French and German.
Business
She took over her husband"s trading business in India, David Sassoon & Company, shortly after his death. Hebraism
An Orthodox Jew, she was a strong supporter of the Balfour Declaration and a staunch zionist.
She also studied the Torah and wrote articles about Rashi. In 1924, she presided over the Annual Speech Day at the Jews" College, stressing the importance of a Jewish education.
Moreover, she often hosted luncheons and dinners with Jewish cuisine in England.
Philanthropy
Once she moved to England, she often donated to Jews around the world who appealed to her for money in their hours of need. Personal life
They had three children:
Sassoon). Rachel Sassoon (1877–1952, married David Ezra).
Mozelle Sassoon (1884–1921).
They lived in Bombay. After her husband"s death, she moved to England.
She died in 1936.
