Amalie Malka Beer (Hebrew: מלכה בער; 10 February 1767 – 27 June 1854) was a German Jewish philanthropist, communal worker, and salonnière.

Amalie Beer
Portrait of Beer by Carl Kretschmar [de]
Born
Amalie Malka Wulff

(1767-02-10)10 February 1767
Died27 June 1854(1854-06-27) (aged 87)
Berlin, Prussia
Resting placeSchönhauser Allee Jewish Cemetery [de]
OccupationSalonnière
Spouse
Jacob Herz Beer
(m. 1788; died 1825)
ChildrenGiacomo Meyerbeer
Wilhelm Beer
Michael Beer

Biography

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Amalie Malka Wolff was born in Berlin to Prussian court factor Liepmann Meyer Wulff [de] (1745–1812) and his wife Esther, née Bamberger (1740–1822). In 1788 she married the Jewish sugar manufacturer Jacob Herz Beer (1769–1825). A maternal uncle of Wulff's, Hirsch Bamberger (1733-1782), was an ancestor of jazz musician Tony Russell.

Beer was an active member of the Women's Aid Society for Wounded Soldiers, which was conducted under the patronage of Prince Wilhelm of Prussia. In consideration of her valuable services, she received from the king the Order of Queen Louise, being the first Jewish woman to be so distinguished.[1] Beer achieved fame with her literary salon at Tiergartenstraße,[2][3] which was honoured occasionally by the king's presence.

Amalie Beer was the mother of poet Michael Beer, composer Giacomo Meyerbeer, astronomer Wilhelm Beer, and one other son, Heinrich.[1]

References

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  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSinger, Isidore; Friemann, A. (1902). "Beer, Amalie (nee Amalie Wolf)". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. p. 631.

  1. ^ a b   Singer, Isidore; Friemann, A. (1902). "Beer, Amalie (née Amalie Wolf)". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. p. 631.
  2. ^ Hertz, Deborah Sadie (2007). How Jews Became Germans: The History of Conversion and Assimilation in Berlin. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-11094-4.
  3. ^ Wilhelmy, Petra (1989). Der Berliner Salon im 19. Jahhundert: 1780–1914. Berlin: De Gruyter. ISBN 3-11-011891-2.
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