Wolff, Leo 1870-1958

Leo Wolff was born on July 27, 1870 in Berlin, the son of Salomon and Johanna Wolf née Wolfsohn. He and his wife Else née Cohen had three children. His sister Gertrud was married to Dr. Felix Steinitz. Leo grew up in Berlin. He went to Law School at the University of Berlin and started working as a judge in 1897. In 1904 he married Else Cohn, daughter of Benno and Sophie Cohn née Baumann. One year later he was appointed district judge of Bochum. His wife Else and his newborn son Ulrich remained in Berlin until 1907 when they moved to Bochum as well. After spending a year in Bochum as a family, the second son Gerhart was born. In December 1910 Leo Wolff was transferred to Amtsgericht Berlin and the family moved back. On December 1st, 1933 he was dismissed from his duties as a judge due to the enabling act.

In addition to his judiciary work, Wolff was engaged in many administrative occupations concerning Jewish communities. He was a member of the board of directors, and later president of the Jewish Community in Berlin and he was one of the founders and president of the Prussian National Association of Jewish Communities ( Preussischer Landesverband juedischer Gemeinden ). Leo was also active in the Anti-Zionist Committee. He supported the argument that Zionism was one of the triggers for growing anti-Semitism.

Leo Wolff managed to leave Germany before the war broke out and died on November 8th, 1958 in London.

From the guide to the Leo Wolff Collection, 1895-1939, bulk 1930s, (Leo Baeck Institute)