Issachar Berend Lehmann, Be(h)rend Lehmann, Jissachar Bermann Segal (born 1661 in Halberstadt, Germany, died 1730 in Dresden) was the Court Jew for August the Strong of Saxony. The successful banker achieved a great deal in his time for Jews in Germany.

Life in Halberstadt

In the 17th century, Halberstadt, an episcopal see, had one of the largest Jewish communities in central Europe. At the time, nearly one in twelve of the town's inhabitants, almost 700 people, were Jewish. Berend Lehmann was considered one of the town's brightest stars, and brought new life to the community.

One example of Lehmann's work was the impressive synagogue he financed in Bakenstrasse, which was completed in 1712. In 1938 after Kristallnacht most of the building was taken down as the attack on it was said to have left it in danger of falling down.

A short distance from the synagogue, in the Rosenwinkel alley, Lehmann also had a house built for students of Judaism, with a collection of theological writings. This building, known as the "Klaus", was where many important students of the Talmud and rabbis were taught. The "Klaus" gave Halberstadt the reputation of being an important centre for the study of the Torah. Today the Moses Mendelssohn Academy is based there; this organises exhibitions, congresses and presentations and provides a wide range of information about the Jewish culture and way of life.

Life in Dresden

In 1694 the new Elector of Saxony was Augustus I, who became known as August the Strong. August was ambitious and wanted to become King of Poland after the death of John III Sobieski. To do so he converted to Catholicism, but he also needed financial support, and Lehmann provided this.

August the Strong thanked Lehmann for his help by allowing him and his family to settle in Dresden, the centre of the Saxon court, in the "Posthaus", then also known as the "Judenhaus". This was a surprising step as Jews were not actually allowed to live in Dresden since a ban had been introduced in 1693 by August's predecessor John George IV. Lehmann was named Court Jew, and came under August's protection. He also had business connections with August's mistress Countess Anna Constantia von Cosel . Lehmann's presence in the town was the start of a new influx of Jewish people and led to the founding of a new community. One member of the Lehmann family, the lawyer Emil Lehmann (1829-1899) later became city councillor of Dresden and also played a very important role in the city's history.

External links

• Berend Lehmann Museum