Max Benjamin
Polish-born British Jewish businessman and Zionist fundraiser in Glasgow
| Max Benjamin | |
| Born | 1 January 1901 Praga, Poland |
|---|---|
| Died | 14 January 1983 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Nationality | British |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Businessman, tailor and bookmaker |
| Known for | Zionist activism and fundraising for the Glasgow Commission of the Jewish National Fund |
| Parents | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Website | |
Max Benjamin (1 January 1901 – 14 January 1983) was a Polish-born British Jewish businessman, tailor and bookmaker who settled in Glasgow, Scotland.[1] He was an active Zionist and served as Entertainments Officer for the Glasgow Blue and White Committee of the Glasgow Commission of the Jewish National Fund (JNF).[2]
Benjamin organised high-profile fundraising events for the JNF, most notably a 1962 friendly football match between Celtic and Real Madrid that raised funds for the Jewish National Fund Charitable Trust.[3] He was described as a self-identified Zionist and played a prominent role in community fundraising drives for Zionist causes in Glasgow during the 1960s.[2]
Zionist activism
Benjamin held the position of Entertainments Officer for the Glasgow Blue and White Committee of the Jewish National Fund. In this role he conceived and organised a major Celtic versus Real Madrid friendly match on 10 September 1962, billed as the “Blue and White Trophy Challenge Match”.[3] The event was explicitly designed to raise money for the JNF and was one of the highest-profile Zionist fundraisers in Scotland at the time.[2]
Initially Benjamin had attempted to arrange a match against Eintracht Frankfurt, but this faced opposition from parts of Glasgow’s Jewish community due to the recent history of the Holocaust. He successfully pivoted to Real Madrid, working with Glasgow Evening News football correspondent Gair Henderson.[2] Benjamin addressed the crowd as convenor of the game and publicly thanked Celtic chairman Robert Kelly for supporting the Zionist cause.[3]
He was also active in broader community fundraising for the JNF throughout the 1960s.[2]
Business and personal life
Benjamin worked as a tailor, bookmaker and businessman in Glasgow.[2] He was known locally as a Celtic supporter and used his business and community connections to support Zionist initiatives.
Family
- Parents Eli Henry Benjamin and Mary (Miriam) Benjamin
- Husband of Freda Benjamin
- Father of Henry Benjamin and Maryon Benn
- Siblings Alec Abraham Bennett; Nettie (Esther) Samuels; Elizabeth Benjamin; David Benjamin; Archie Benjamin (Daughter: Myrna Miriam Bernard); and Anne Black
Notes
- ↑ Geni.com, Max Benjamin Geni.com, accessed March 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Andy Muirhead, The Chasm at Celtic FC AndyMuirhead.com, 6 January 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Celtic Wiki, 1962-09-10: Celtic 1-3 Real Madrid, Friendly The Celtic Wiki, accessed March 2026.