15 Facts About Leo Baeck

Leo Baeck served as leader of Reform Judaism in his native country and internationally, and later represented all German Jews during the Nazi era.

The Leo Baeck Medal has been awarded since 1978 to those who have helped preserve the spirit of German-speaking Jewry in culture, academia, politics, and philanthropy.

Leo Baeck began his education at the Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau in 1894.

Leo Baeck served as a rabbi in Oppeln, Dusseldorf, and Berlin.

Leo Baeck taught at the Hochschule fur die Wissenschaft des Judentums.

In 1933, after the Nazis took power, Leo Baeck worked to defend the Jewish community as president of the Reichsvertretung der Deutschen Juden, an umbrella organization that united German Jewry from 1933 to 1938.

Leo Baeck headed this organization as its president until his deportation.

Leo Baeck became the "honorary head" of the Council of Elders in Theresienstadt.

Leo Baeck, according to Arendt, thought the existence of a Jewish police force within the camps would render the "ordeal easier" whereas in her view they turned out to be more brutal.

Leo Baeck gave lectures, was active in the interfaith dialogue between traditional Jews and Christians of Jewish origin, worked in the youth care sector, which he directed from November 1944 on, and was friendly with many of the functionaries.

Leo Baeck's lectures were credited with helping prisoners survive their confinement.

Leo Baeck refused to abandon his community and declined the offers.

Leo Baeck taught at Hebrew Union College in the United States, and eventually became Chairman of the World Union for Progressive Judaism.

Leo Baeck's increased interfaith work meant that he revised and, to an extent, reclaimed for Judaism, the founding figures of Christianity, Jesus and Paul.

Leo Baeck died on 2 November 1956, in London, England.