Dr Conrad Morris
BORN STAMFORD HILL, 1932. DIED JUNE 14, 2014, JERUSALEM, AGED 82
ONE OF the most influential members of AngloJewry, the industrialist, Dr. Conrad Morris was respected in Britain, both in Jewish and nonJewish circles. His impressive achievements as an industrialist and entrepreneur with international business links went hand in hand with his commitment to strengthen Jewish values and heritage. He was described by Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sachs “as the man in Anglo-Jewry who made things happen - quietly, never seeking attention or honour”.
Described as an exemplary individual by Bar Ilan University and its British Friends for his tireless work towards developing the University, Dr Morris spent decades promoting vital educational and social projects for Jewish causes in the UK and Israel.
A member of BIU’s board of trustees he played a key role in establishing Beit HaRav Jakobovits/The Sami Shamoon Centre for the Study of Philosophy, Ethics and Jewish Thought. “Conrad’s wisdom, passion and care for others will be sorely missed,” said University President Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz.
He also helped found the Friends of Bar-Ilan in Britain back in 1958 and the School of Medicine in the Galilee. He supported Returning Scientists and Doctoral Fellows of Excellence at the University. Bar-Ilan awarded him an Honorary Doctorate during its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2005.
The British-born son of a tailor, Conrad Morris lost his mother at the age of seven and in a book presented to him on his 80th birthday, Conrad: 80 Years of Devotion, Determination & Leadership, he recalls how her absence instilled in him a sense of understanding of his fellow man, and a desire to “do as much as I could to improve not only my own lot but the lot of those around me”.
In his barmitzvah year he became haunted by the headlines describing the murder of the six million Jews in Nazi Europe. This awareness strengthened his Jewish identity and his desire to intensify Jewish education and try to establish peace in Israel.
Starting work at the age of 14 with his brother and partner in the clothing manufacturing business, he soon became noticed for his leadership talents and joined the Golders Green synagogue club, organising most of the cultural events. Then he worked at the Morrison Group, learning his trade under the mentorship of Hymie Morrison, one of the three owner brothers. He left after ten years, in 1956, with an executive role, and saw his salary rise from £5 a week to £100, having donated to charity from the start.
Later he became general manager of the Wallis Fashion Group, an independent chain of fashion shops. In 1963 he married Ruth Corman, the daughter of a Morrison supplier. The young Conrad had no particular religious affinity at the time, but admitted that he “became a frum Jew as well as a committed one” on his marriage.
He bought a small department store with a business partner, but he and Ruth went on to own three stores in Harrow, selling furniture and fashion for men and women, and later a successful little shop in Harrow called Rave. As he became increasingly successful in the world of textiles, fashion, food, metals, computers, communications, electronics and banks, he was equally concerned to divert a considerable part of his efforts to preserving Jewish tradition.
Dr Morris encouraged the development of a network of Jewish day schools in the UK and supported them diligently, as he did the Israel Bonds Organisation, Jews’ College and Carmel College. He also headed the British organisation of Friends of Habad Hassidim, the Kerem B’Yavneh Yeshiva, the Jerusalem College of Technology, and Boys Town in Jerusalem.
He became involved in the Israeli economy in 1970. He bought his first fashion shop in Israel in 1973. He was one of the initiators of the establishment of the Israel-Britain Chamber of Commerce and in that framework he worked primarily with the textile and fashion division. He was also co-founder and chairman of the International Soda Club company. His desire to ensure the unity of Jerusalem led him to establish the One Jerusalem organisation in London and launch the bi-weekly News from Eretz Israel bulletin, designed to counter antiIsrael media bias.
Winding down his British retail interests in the late 1970s, he became active in other investments, including early hi-tech and SodaStream. His first such venture was Wakebourne, a large computerservicecompany which gained several major contracts. Dr Morris retired in 2010 and move d t o I s r a e l . He is survived by his wife Ruth, children Sara Jo, Liz and David and 1 5 g r a n d - children.