Furst family

Many key names in the Caledonian Cousinhood including from the Goldberg family, Wolfson family, Woolfson family, Levinson family/Livingston family, Golombok family, Furst family, Sragowitz family, Gerber family and many others; from the Jewish Echo, 11 January 1929.

The Furst family originated in the Baltic states (at that time known as Russia) and arrived in Scotland from the 1870s. the first Furst child to be born in Scotland was Amelia Furst who died at birth in 1879.

The Scotsman reports:

To trace Furst's story, we need to return to the Baltics, to an area once known as Courland, that now forms part of modern day Latvia, but also took in parts of Lithuania and north-west Russia. Previously a German-speaking Duchy, it had become, under the Russian Empire, a largely Jewish enclave, in which Jews had greater freedoms than elsewhere beyond the Pale of Settlement, but were still not entirely free from persecution. It was there that, in 1844, Jacob Furst was born. A bright religious scholar, Jacob Furst moved to Wilna in his 20s, to complete his studies at one of Europe's leading rabbinical schools. Wilna is now Vilnius - capital of Lithuania, the adopted home of Vladimir Romanov. It was there that Furst married Marion Ais. They had 10 children, with Elias the third born. That Elias was born in Russia was a quirk of fate, as by the year of his birth in 1873, his father had already left Russia for Britain, where he held religious posts in first London and Hull, and then Middlesbrough. However, in the early 1870s he returned east and Elias was born, possibly in St Petersburg.

Back in Britain, the family made their way north to Edinburgh, where in 1879 Furst became the head of the Edinburgh Jewish Congregation, a position he kept for almost 40 years until his death in 1918. "He commanded huge respect in the wider community as well as within the Jewish congregation," says author Jack Alexander, who spoke to many of the older members of the Jewish community, some of whom could recall Jacob Furst, while researching his book McCrae's Battalion. When King Edward visited the city, Reverend Furst (he eschewed the title of rabbi) was chosen to represent Scotland's Jewish community.

Edinburgh boasted Scotland's largest Jewish community, one that had grown rapidly since 1816 when the first organised synagogue attracted worshippers from 20 families. By 1902 - the year Elias Furst was first employed by Hearts - the city's Jewish population was 2,000. Coincidentally, the early focal point for Jewish immigrants was Dalry, where many were engaged in the waterproof clothing trade. Indeed, around the same time that Tynecastle was taking shape, a synagogue was being established under Jacob Furst's jurisdiction just a stone's throw away at Caledonian Crescent. Furst and his family meanwhile lived on the Southside, in an apartment attached to the city's main synagogue on what was once Park Place, now Potterrow.

In 1902, Jewish immigrant, Elias Furst, was hired as Heart of Midlothian Football Club’s auditor. Furst had entered the club a decade earlier as the club’s youngest ever paid member of staff as a 17-year-old watchmaker apprentice, and had quickly risen through the ranks. The family owned a tailoring business which, in addition to gold watches, sold diamonds, and precious gems on the side. Furst’s father Jacob had moved to Edinburgh from the Russian Empire in the 1870s. The family had 10 children and quickly established themselves among Edinburgh’s upper class, hiring a servant by 1881. As Head of the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation for 40 years, Jacob would have mixed with Simons (who sat on the board of the Garnethill Synagogue, in Glasgow) as well as other elite Cousinhood representatives such as members of the Levitus and Jesner families who were also on its committee. Interestingly, Jacob Furst and Simons shared another overlap. Jacob was Honorary Secretary of the Edinburgh branch of the Hebrew Benevolent Loan Society from 1891 until at least 1904. While Michael Simons likely played a key role in opening doors for Elias Furst in the world of football, the family had fraternal ties of their own. Jacob was described as “an ardent Freemason” - a member of the Naval and Military Royal Arch Chapter - No, 40 for 30 years, as well as a member of Edinburgh’s St Andrew No. 48 Lodge with Elias. Perhaps aided by these connections - and a father active in interest-free lending - Furst was already a Hearts shareholder by 1905, and one of three men who helped to bail the club out that same year, after a fire which gutted its South Stand, plunging the club deeper into debt. In the process, they renamed it The Heart of Midlothian Football Club - a subtle name change which stands today.

Even prior to being invited onto the board, Furst was guest of honour at Hearts’ victorious 1906 Cup Final match against Third Lanark and even given the Scottish Cup to display in his jewellers’ shop window - hardly common practice. The following year, he was made director. However, Furst’s ties to Freemasonry were not only advantageous to his own ascent - they likely served to strengthen and expand the fraternity’s presence within the club. In 1910 he persuaded the board to hire John McCartney as manager, who after joining the Heart of Midlothian Lodge 832, would then persuade many of the team to enlist in the fraternity.

By 1912, Furst was chairman, a position he would hold for 21 years, making him one of Hearts’ longest ever serving directors. He was also elected as President of the Scottish Football League in 1930, and made Vice-President of the SFA two years later. Furst resigned from the hearts board in 1935 and retired to his house on Thirlestane Road, Marchmont, having also sold his family business premises. Just one street away, lived the couple to whom he sold it: Isaac and Rosa Cowen. In a notable link to the modern-day club, they would turn it into Cowan Tailoring Company Limited - the family business of the current Director of Foundation of Hearts, Gary Cowen (Director Mark Cowen is his brother, and Myer Cowen was his late father). In December 2024 at the Foundation of Hearts AGM, Cowen’s board proposed a motion which was passed to clear the way for investor Tony Bloom - a professional gambler with concerning links to Zionist Israel - to become a minority shareholder at the club. Cowen is a KC and avid collector of Hearts memorabilia. Another KC, Stephen Furst, the grandson of Elias, is still a shareholder today.

After Elias’ death in 1949, his family cemented their positions as key players in the Scottish Zionist movement. In 1951, Harry Furst, his (relation?) was described as a ‘stalwart of the Poale Zion Movement’ and was listed as Honorary President of the Glasgow Jewish National Fund Commission; Honorary President of Glasgow Poale Zion, and Honorary Vice-President of the Glasgow Joint Palestine Appeal Committee, the forerunner of today’s United Jewish Israel Appeal.

Branches of the family

Edinburgh

• Jacob Furst (died 1918 at 74)and his wife Mary Furst (Previouly Marion, Nee Ais) arrived in Edinburgh in the 1870s.

The Fursts had several children after arriving in Edinburgh including Amelia (later Emily) (1879), Myer (1882), Rosetta (1884), Fredy (1885) and Cissy (1887). Unfortunately Myer, Fredy and Cissy all died in childbirth or before reaching their first birthday. An older child born before they arrive in Scotland was Elias Henry Furst who died in 1949 at 76 suggesting he was born in about 1873 in Russia.

The Fursts has left 'Kurland' (a province now in present day Western Latvia) where their eldest daughter Rosa Furst was born around 1869. By the time of the 1881 census Rosa was recorded as being 13 years old. Rosa died in 1930 at the age of 61 in Edinburgh. Their next child Elias Henry Furst was also recorded as being born in 'Russia'. The 1881 Census records that the Furst's next child Bertera was born in Hull (around 1872), then Isaac and Symon (later Simon) were born in York in 1876 and 1877 approximately. The Fursts must have arrived in Edinburgh between 1877 and 1879 since Amelia/Emily was born there in 1879. The census also records that by 1881 the family was living in the Jewish Synagogue in Buccleuch, Edinburgh, located in a street now known as Potterrow. The census also discloses that the Fursts employed a twenty year old servant one Elizabeth Jamieson, who was born in Liverpool.

By the 1891 Census Jacob (44) lived with Mary (40), Rosie (formerly Rosa) (21), Bertha (19), Elias (18), Isaac (15), Aimon (Simon?) (13), Emily (formerly Amelia) (12) and Rosetta (7).

Glasgow/Ayr

The first appearance of the Furst name in Glasgow was in the 1901 Census where the family lived in Hutchesontown. The head of the household was Zalman Furst (later known as Solomon, b 1843, d 1909), Chane (later Annie, nee Eilberg) (44), Hirs (19), Creindel (18), Teme (16), Lazarus (later Lester Sol) (12), Isaac (7), Solomon Jr (7) and Ethel (5). He was the brother of Ita Golombok.

• Lazarus Furst Etta Furst (as in death cretificate) alternatively given in family trees maintained by family members as Laizer Eliezer First/Laizer First/Eliezer First and Esther Ete First
• Pincus First
• Avrum Yosel Or Alvin Joseph First,
• Zalman Furst (later known as Solomon, b 1843, d 1909), married Chane (later Annie, nee Eilberg) (44)
  • Harry Furst (originally called Sevi Yehuda Furst (born approx 21 September 1888, Bierz, Russia, died 1957 at 68 in Cathcart.) was a 'Drapery Warehouseman' and prominent Zionist activist in Glasgow. Married Tracey Furst (nee Yedd) in 1924.
    • Sidney Furst (1925, died 1995 at 70, Martha Street.)
  • Hirs (19 in 1901),
  • Creindel (18, in 1901),
  • Teme (16 in 1901),
  • Lazarus (later Lester S) (12 in 1901), married Bessie Furst (given as nee Berkovitz on the marriage register but Freedman in multiple other sources , died 1967 at 63 years) in 1929 in Blythswood.
    • Wolfe Conrad Furst (later Willie) (b 1931 m. Jeanette Furst (nee Chitterer) in 1959 in Cathcart.
    • Cyril Isadore Furst (b 1937, Cathcart)). Married Ann Mary Furst (nee Friedlander) in 1963 in Pollok.
  • Clara Winocour (nee Furst) (1899-1942 and 53 years) Was 22 in the 1911 census. Married Aaron Wonocour in 1915 (though his name is wrongly given as Arron Gordon.
  • Isaac (7 in 1901 and 16 in 1911),
  • Solomon Jr (7 in 1901 and 18 in 1911) and
  • Ethel (5 in 1901), later Gertrude (15 in 1911)
• Ita Golombok (nee Furst), (born, Jan 18 1852 - Birzai, Lithuania, died, 1931 at age 77 in Govanhill, nee Fierst/Furst). Mother's maiden name Pincowitz. m. Benjamin Joseph Golombok
  • Israel Golombok (1878-1940) - married Rebecca Golombok (nee Baron) 1901.
    • Hyman Sholem Golombok (1916-1999) mothers maiden name Baron - married Sophia Bryne Golombok (nee Sholem) in Pollok in 1951.
      • Eric Golombok (b. 1956)| Faith Sonia Golombok (nee Colvin/Levstein) - married 1987
        • Daughter Judith Ruth Golombok (born 1989)
    • Judith Golombok (d 1986), (died 1986 aged 77, mother's maiden name Barron)
    • Ben-Zion Golombok (died 2017 at 98, mother's maiden name Barron.
  • Zevi Golombok (1880 - 1954) (aka Zvi) - married Rosa Golombok (died 1977 at 93,later Rose, nee Teitelmann) 1907 in Edinburgh.
    • Ezra Golombok (1922-2022) - mothers maiden name Teitelmann.| Susan Golombok (nee Heimler, died 2005 at 86, mother's maiden name Rosenberger.) - married 1958.
    • David Golombok (1915-2006) - mothers maiden name Teitlemann. | Esther Golombok (nee Carnovsky) - married 1944.
  • Wolf Golombok (17 December 1895–18 October 1976) - married Polly Golombok (nee Gladstone, died 1923 aged 27) 1916 in Glasgow. and then Ethel Golombok (nee Most) in 1925.
• Elka First,
• Rosha Laya Mandelzweig (born First)

Timeline

• 1942 - WINOCOUR — Suddenly, on 9th August, (27th Ab. 5702) Clara, nee Furst. Deeply mourned and sadly missed by her devoted sister, brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews. May her dear soul rest in everlasting peace. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Furst and Son. Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Furst. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Furst and Sons. Ethel and Isaac (London). Shivah at 40 Daisy Street.
  • WINOCOUR — On Sunday, 9th August, 1942, Clara, nee Furst. Deeply regretted by her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Z. Golombok and sons. —2 Kingsbrae Avenue, S.4.
  • WINOCOUR — Suddenly on Sunday, 9th August, 1942, Clara (nee Furst). Deeply mourned by her staff, Brenda and Cissy.

See also

• Golombok family | Winocour family