James Simon as Philanthropist

would fill volumes, but in my opinion the only thing which really gave him inner satisfaction was the good he did quietly, without being credited for his actions. He had an especially open heart for hidden need, and would have become very indignant if anyone had tried to withhold a situation from him which would have benefited from his help."

Therese Manner, 1951

"During that period of wealth and security there were numerous households in Berlin which were equal to the Simons in brilliance and splendor, ifr not actually superior to them. But I believe there wasn't one family-head as modest and reserved as Mr. Simon, his reservation bordered almost on shyness.

This could have been the secret to his popularity with children, for they sensed a kindred spirit in him and always flew to his side (...). His special concern and love were reserved for the city children; he simply could not do enough for them. How he beamed when thirty to sixty of the children from the Vacation Camp and the Student Hiking Club - both his organizations - were invited to sing at his home on special occassions and then enjoy refreshments afterwards (...)

It was not only his grandchildren and those of his friends, but really, absolutely all children who loved him! And this fact alone would be proof of the great generosity James Simon bestowed upon everyone, which was fueled by an inner need to assist others. Yes, James Simon was helpful by nature and in the fortunate position to help wherever it was needed."

This description of James Simon is from Therese Marner, who served from 1908 to 1932 in the Simon household as domestic help and later a housekeeper and private secretary. Her characterization of Simon brings to life his greatest passion as no other does, for no matter how attracted Simon was to ancient art - his heart beat for those children in need of protection, those impoverished city children trapped in "their sad condition" of sickness, poverty, "abuse and exploitation".

Simon had been active in charitable organizations since the 1880's, but the interest in and commitment to the welfare of those in need had already taken root in his childhood. Because James Simon grew up in a family that placed great value on social justice. As a child he spent his vacations at his grandparents' in Pyritz, West Pomerania, where his grandmother regularly provided the needy with food before the Sabbath, and took in homeless children. This example led the upper middle class child from Berlin to develop a strongly pronounced sensitivity fot the weak of society. (...)

(ibid., p. 140)

Simon attached much more importance to the support of private initiatives in social areas than to the patronage of thearts and sciences. The Kaiser and Kaiserin Friedrich Berliner-Sommerheim (the Emperor and Empress Friedrich Berlin Summer Home) in Kolberg is exemplary of this. Between 1895 und 1898, Simon donated 250,000 to 300,000 marks for the construction of the house alone. When asked to financially support the acquisiton of certain art works for Berlin's museums by Wilhelm von Bode, his mentor in the area of art collecting, Simon wrote, "I would be more than happy to help you, if all my resources weren't currently tied up in the Colberg house." And another time, in 1898, he informed him, "I have to pay 100,000 marks until the end of next year to hospitals and 50,000 marks for other charitable interests, which means a burden of at least 150,000 marks for one year. Various running costs must also be added to that... there's not a week in which something doesn't come up." (...)

(ibid., p. 141)

James Simon ignored all religious or denominational barriers in his philanthropic activities. He equally supported Jewish, Christian, and non-denominational aid organizations - as long as he considered their work worthwile. His father, Isaak Simon, and Louis Simon, his uncle, had acted in the same manner, as was the custom in most rich, Jewish families in Berlin. In 1899, for example, Simon founded with his friend Franz von Mendelssohn in Berlin-Zehlendorf the all-denominational Verein zum Schutz der Kinder vor Misshandlung und Ausnutzung (Protection Agency against Child Abuse and Exploitation). Needy children were raised in the Haus Kinderschutz (Children's Welfare Home) until confirmation age, with Simon and Mendelssohn providing the funds for the property acquisition, construction, and the running costs for teachers and children - altogether more than a million marks.(...)"

(ibid., p. 142)

Like his friends Rudolf Mosse, Eduard Arnhold, and Franz von Mendelssohn, James Simon was convinced that wealth creates an obligation to social engagement. Aware of the times in which they lived, it was obvious to them that Prussia and the capital of Berlin either did not sufficently fulfill their socio-political obligations or did not fulfill them at all. The founding of social institutions and foundations during the Wilhelmine era experienced a real boom within the ranks of the progressive middle-class, especially among the politically-aware, Jewish milieus. This phenomenon was noticeable not only in the empire's capital but in all the country's larger cities. One of these new areas in which Simon was also active was the care of disadvantaged city children. Simon was convinced that the investment in education produced a more positive, long-term effect than the mere donation of money, and his helpfulness did not diminish even during the war and post-war periods, a time in which the Simon Brothers was experiencing economic difficulties. He established an orphanage during the First World War in the German occupied, White Russian city of Bialystok and supported other institutions of this nature. Altogether, Simon donated one million marks in the years from 1915 to 1917. This figure was found in one of the few letters he wrote in which he provided in formation concerning his financial commitment to social welfare. It was addressed to Friedrih Naumann, a social policy expert.

(ibid., p. 143)

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