Paul Baerwald

Paul Baerwald (September 27, 1871 – July 2, 1961) was a German-born Jewish-American banker and philanthropist.

Early life and family Baerwald was born on September 27, 1871, in Frankfurt-on-Main, Germany, the son of Dr. Herman Baerwald and Selma Frenkel.

Career Baerwald began working in the banking business with Lazard-Speyer-Ellissen in Frankfurt from 1886 to 1891. He then worked for Speyer Brothers in London from 1891 to 1896. From 1896 to 1906, he worked with Speyer and Company in New York City. He then worked as a partner in Lazard Frères until 1930, when he retired from banking to focus on entirely on philanthropic and communal endeavors. He was also chairman of the executive committee of Fidelity-Phoenix Fire Insurance Co., executive committee member of the Fire Building Corporation, director of the General American Investors Corporation, advisory committee member of the Texas Pacific Land Trust.

Baerwald became honorary chairman of the JDC in 1945. In 1949, the JDC opened the Paul Baerward School, a social work named after him, in Versailles, France. The school was transferred to Israel in 1958. He was a trustee and treasurer of the New York Foundation, a voting trustee of the Palestine Economic Corporation, treasurer of the Wollman Foundation, and trustee and treasurer of the Solomon and Betty Loeb Convalescent Home. He served the United Jewish Appeal as a member of the national campaign executive committee, director and vice-chairman of the Appeal in New York, and as honorary chairman of its 1946 campaign. 500 people attended his funeral. He was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Westchester County.