Isidor Stern

Isidor Stern was born as the oldest son of Bernhard Stern and Rosalie Herzfeld in 1857 in Graetz, Posen. He became director of a spirit producing company and moved to Berlin in 1896. Isidor Stern was active in the "Freisinnige Vereinigung", a liberal party, and was engaged in economic reform plans. In 1933 he emigrated to France, later on to Switzerland. In 1939 he moved to his son in the United States.
Early childhood recollections. Isidor Sterns father had a textile store in Graetz. Memories of his maternal grandfather, who was an assistant of the famous rabbi Elias Gutmacher. Orthodox upbringing. Description of his devoted mother, who was a loving and pious woman. High esteem for German culture and literature, above all works by Goethe and Schiller. Isidor Stern was enrolled in the Jewish elementary school at the age of six years. In 1868 he was sent for further studies to his uncle in Pyritz, where he attended the local Gymnasium (high school). Recollections of his Bar Mitzvah in 1870. Rebellion against the rigid laws of orthodox Judaism. Continuation of his education at a Catholic Gymnasium in Schrimm, where he experienced antisemitism and left the school. Work in a bank in Berlin. Relationship to his younger siblings. Work in a spirit producing company. Socialist activities. In 1879 his house was raided and he had to leave his job due to his political affiliations. He got a position for his company in Spain in 1880. Due to his growing competence he was ordered back to Posen and became one of the directors in 1886. Isidor Stern abandoned his political activities and expanded the company to Berlin. Technical and social reforms. Expansion of the technical use of spirit. Detailed description of professional life. Marriage with Olga Fraenkel in 1888. Birth of his sons Fritz and Walter. Move to Berlin in 1896. Birth of his daughter Charlotte. Both his sons served in World War One. Social concerns within the business world. Friendship with the political reformer Friedrich Naumann and engaging in liberalism. Membership in the "Freisinnige Vereinigung", a liberal party. Influence of the economic reform ideas of Franz Oppenheimer. Friendship with the politician Theodor Barth, editor of the paper "Die Nation". Relationship with Paul Nathan, co-founder of the "Hilfsverein der deutschen Juden".
Contact to the left with Eduard David and Albert Sydekum. "Gesellschaft fuer ethische Kultur" in Berlin. Political diversion and instability in post-war Germany. Economic political activities and suggestions to improve the situation for the unemployed. Business endeavors. Sunday soirees at Olga and Isidor Stern's new apartment. Summer vacations in the Swiss alps. Travels to Italy, Spain and Morocco. Death of his wife Olga in 1928. Isidor Stern donated a house for less privileged Jewish women in the memory of his wife. The "Olga-Stern-house" was opened by the "Juedische Frauenbund" in 1930. After Hitler's being appointed chancellor of Germany Isidor Stern left Germany together with his daughter for France. From 1934-1939 he lived in Zuerich. His children emigrated to London, Switzerland and the USA. In October 1939 Isidor Stern emigrated to New York.