Israel Finestein QC MA (1921–2009), an English barrister and Deputy High Court Judge, was a leader and historian of British Jewry.
[3] Israel "Shmuel" Finestein was the youngest of nine children of a Kingston upon Hull Jewish tailor, who had emigrated from Chervyen (near Minsk) around 1905.
[5][3][8][9][10][11] His works cover the Emancipation of British Jews,[12][13][14][15] key figures like Sir Moses Montefiore,[16][17][18] Jewish education,[19] and also recent leadership of the community.
[2] At the Board of Deputies he "used his presidency to institute reforms of its organisation and constitution while enhancing, through the force of his own personality, its gravitas and public status.
[2] As President of the Norwood learning disability and family charity he reviewed the history of its Royal patronage for HM Queen at the Guildhall.