Joseph Meyerhoff
Encyclopedia
Joseph Meyerhoff was an American businessman, fundraiser, and philanthropist based in Baltimore, Maryland. His son is Harvey Meyerhoff.
and was brought to the United States as a young boy in 1906, where he eventually made his fortune in residential and commercial development and construction. He grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Baltimore City College
; he then attended and completed his law degree at the University of Maryland
in the mid 1930s. Meyerhoff married in the 1930s to Rebecca Witten and they had two children, Harvey and Eleanor, whom they raised in Baltimore.
Meyerhoff practiced law for some years upon graduation from the UM School of Law
until he opened a construction company with his brother called Monumental Properties Inc. This firm thrived for nearly 40 years until it was sold for about $180M (making Meyerhoff and his family one of the wealthiest in Baltimore). Monumental Properties was responsible for many buildings in the city, including various shopping centers throughout the west side. In the early 1950s Meyerhoff and other prominent Jewish-American businessmen were chosen to assist Israel during that country's initial establishment crises. He retired in 1965.
Meyerhoff continued his career as an avid philanthropist serving as president of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
in the 1970s, where he personally contributed money and helped raise millions of dollars. He is credited, along with music director Sergiu Comissiona
, with re-organizing and revitalizing the group. The BSO's primary home, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
, is named after him. Meyerhoff also supported many other Jewish charities and art museums throughout Baltimore and was eventually inducted into the Baltimore Business Hall of Fame along with Robert Merrick
.
Biography
Meyerhoff was born in UkraineUkraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
and was brought to the United States as a young boy in 1906, where he eventually made his fortune in residential and commercial development and construction. He grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Baltimore City College
Baltimore City College
The Baltimore City College , also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically as The College, and most commonly City, is a public high school in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. The City College curriculum includes the International Baccalaureate Programme and emphasizes study in the classics...
; he then attended and completed his law degree at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
in the mid 1930s. Meyerhoff married in the 1930s to Rebecca Witten and they had two children, Harvey and Eleanor, whom they raised in Baltimore.
Meyerhoff practiced law for some years upon graduation from the UM School of Law
University of Maryland School of Law
The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law is the second-oldest law school in the United States by date of establishment and third-oldest by date of first classes. The school is located on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore in Downtown Baltimore's West Side...
until he opened a construction company with his brother called Monumental Properties Inc. This firm thrived for nearly 40 years until it was sold for about $180M (making Meyerhoff and his family one of the wealthiest in Baltimore). Monumental Properties was responsible for many buildings in the city, including various shopping centers throughout the west side. In the early 1950s Meyerhoff and other prominent Jewish-American businessmen were chosen to assist Israel during that country's initial establishment crises. He retired in 1965.
Meyerhoff continued his career as an avid philanthropist serving as president of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a professional American symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland.In September 2007, Maestra Marin Alsop led her inaugural concerts as the Orchestra’s twelfth music director, making her the first woman to head a major American orchestra.The BSO Board...
in the 1970s, where he personally contributed money and helped raise millions of dollars. He is credited, along with music director Sergiu Comissiona
Sergiu Comissiona
Sergiu Comissiona was a Romanian conductor and violinist.-Early life:...
, with re-organizing and revitalizing the group. The BSO's primary home, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, often referred to simply as the Meyerhoff, is a music venue that opened September 16, 1982 at 1212 Cathedral Street in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The main auditorium has a seating capacity of 2,443 people, and is home to the...
, is named after him. Meyerhoff also supported many other Jewish charities and art museums throughout Baltimore and was eventually inducted into the Baltimore Business Hall of Fame along with Robert Merrick
Robert Merrick
Robert Merrick is an American competitive sailor and Olympic silver medalist.He won a silver medal in the 470 class at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, along with his partner Paul Foerster.-References:...
.
Legacy
- Meyerhoff's legacy lives on through charities and scholarships and through his various contributions to the BSO.
- The “Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds” is a group of Baltimore-based family foundations making philanthropic contributions in the local area as well as nationally and internationally. Thus, Meyerhoff's philanthropic legacy continues through his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. http://www.herzliyaconference.org/Eng/_Uploads/1607todot1ENG.doc
- A child daycare center in Rehovot, Israel carries Meyerhoff's name as the main donor.