Samuel Myer Isaacs

Samuel Myer Isaacs (January 4, 1804 – May 19, 1878) was a Dutch-born American educator, philanthropist and rabbi.

He was the second Jewish spiritual leader in the United States to teach in English instead of Hebrew or German.

His service as Principal of the Neveh Zedek orphan asylum in London brought him to the attention of B'nai Jeshurun in New York, and in spite of his lack of rabbinical credentials, they requested him to lead their congregation.

Rabbi Isaacs was one of the officiating clergymen at President Abraham Lincoln's funeral.

He was also a founder of the United Hebrew Charities, now called Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services (1845), the Jew's Hospital, now called Mount Sinai Hospital (1852), and the Board of Delegates of American Israelites (1859).