Nordmann, Leon

Nordmann, Leon a Jewish-French scholar of some prominence, was born at Hegenheim, Alsace, about 1835. In consequence of the revolution in 1848, his parents emigrated to Germany and settled in Bavaria, where Leon visited the high school. He continued his studies at the lyceum in Strasburg, where he also cultivated his Talmudical studies under the direction of rabbi Moses Uttenheim. He then visited the rabbinical school of Metz, where he graduated with the honors of a rabbi; subsequently he attended several courses of lectures at Paris. He felt a special attachment for the late Prof. Munk, and became one of his best-beloved pupils. He received several calls as minister, which he declined, because he did not wish to leave the intellectual center at Paris. At the foundation of the "Alliance Israelite Universelle," he was elected its secretary, an occupation congenial to his taste. Later he resigned that position, and officiated in several schools as a religious teacher. In 1870 he published his book, Textes classiques, which deals with several important Hebrew passages of Scripture. He died at Paris in July, 1872. His untimely death was caused by the privations incident to the late Franco-Prussian war. His family he had sent out of the country during that time of trial. He was kind, genial. and affectionate, ever active in the relief of distress and in giving assistance to the poor, and in sympathy with all movements undertaken in the cause of humanity and progress. See Jewish Times (N. Y. Aug. 9. 1872). (J. H W.)