He lived in Rostov as a child, and immigrated to the United States at an early age with his father.

Following work at a tobacco factory in the United States, and time spent making cigarettes by hand, he invented a cigarette-making machine.

However, he was attracted by the commercial opportunities and moved to England, where he established the Baron Cigarette Machine Company Limited in Aldgate, London.

Amongst the projects supported by the trust was a cradle-to-grave school in the East End of London, originally established as the St George's Jewish Settlement and run by Basil Henriques and Rose Henriques.

The school building at 71 Henriques Street in Shadwell is now named Bernhard Baron House and has been converted to flats.