Ellinger, Moritz

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ELLINGER, MORITZ

ELLINGER, MORITZ (1830–1907), U.S. public official, communal leader, and journalist. Ellinger was born in Fuerth, Bavaria, and arrived in New York in 1854. He advocated Reform Judaism. Active in the affairs of B'nai B'rith, he was a member of its National Executive Committee and served as corresponding secretary between 1895 and 1905, besides being instrumental in helping to establish lodges in several European countries. Ellinger toured Europe in 1882 on behalf of American Jewish leaders in an attempt to organize the migration of Russian refugees. In addition, he edited the Menorah Monthly, the official organ of B'nai B'rith, from 1860 to 1901, and as founder and editor of the Jewish Times (1869–78) he expressed the views of David *Einhorn. In civic life, Ellinger was coroner of New York City (1876–81) and an official of the Surrogate's Court (1888–1907). He also served as secretary of the New York Medico-Legal Society.

bibliography:

E. Grusd, B'nai B'rith (Eng., 1966), index.

[Robert Shosteck]