Deutsch, Bernard Seymour

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DEUTSCH, BERNARD SEYMOUR

DEUTSCH, BERNARD SEYMOUR (1884–1935), U.S. lawyer, public official, and communal leader. Deutsch was born in Baltimore. He began his career as a lawyer in 1905, attaining prominence and playing an active role in judicial reform. He served as president of the Bronx County Bar Association (1927–30) and participated in the 1930 investigation of abuses of legal ethics in New York. Deutsch, an independent Democrat, was elected on Fiorello La Guardia's Fusion Party ticket in 1933 as president of the Board of Aldermen. He displayed strong leadership in reviving the moribund aldermanic council. Together with La Guardia he worked to improve city services in such areas as transportation, home relief, and labor arbitration. Long active in Jewish affairs, Deutsch became president of the American Jewish Congress in 1929 and held that post until his death. In association with Stephen S. Wise, he led campaigns to arouse public opinion on behalf of the rights of German Jews.

bibliography:

New York Times (Nov. 22, 1935), 1:8.

[Morton Rosenstock]