Barnet Shenkin

Barnet Shenkin was born in Daugavpils, Latvia in 1882, and his wife Freda Monfried in Riga, Latvia in 1892. They moved to Glasgow, and in lived at 25 Moray Place (now 52 Marywood Square) from around 1925 to after 1949. Barnet was an importer of oriental carpets, at Wolfson & Shenkin, 58 West Regent street, and later B Shenkin & Co. The firm merged with Mercado in the 1950s, when his son Lennie and Bobby Mercado developed a partnership over a game of bridge. Barnet died in 1950 in Glasgow.

Their son Louis Shenkin was born in Glasgow on 17 January 1917, and was educated at the fiercely academic Hutchesons’ Grammar School, on the south side of the city. Shenkin then went on to study dentistry before being attracted into the family business, with which he remained for more than 60 years. was a leading administrator in bridge for more than a decade as Chairman of the British Bridge League and an occasional non-playing captain of British teams, and an international bridge player in his own right. In 1949 he was a member of the first Scottish team to reach the final of the Gold Cup, Britain’s premier event, losing only narrowly.

He represented Scotland in the Home Internationals on eight occasions between 1949 and 1963, partnering his brother Lennie. His son, Barnet, represented both Britain and Scotland at bridge, and now lives in the US where he teaches and writes on bridge. In 1976 Louis Shenkin, as chairman of the BBL, presented the trophy for Britain’s leading Invitation Pairs event to the winner, his son. Louis died on 22 April 2003.

His brother Lennie married Sarah Sar of Newark Drive in 1949. The family were prominent members of the jewish community in Glasgow, in particular Reform Judaism. Louis’ wife, Mamie, wrote a history of the Glasgow Reform Synagogue, 1934-94. Currently based in Newton Mearns, the synagogue was first located in the house at 39 Queen Square in Strathbungo for a few years from 1936, later in Albert Road and briefly Langside Halls, and then at 306 Albert Drive.

Timeline

• 1906 - The Jewish Choral Society will give a recital of "The Moabites," a cantata by Mr. J. A. Broad, next Sunday at seven o'clock, in the Grand Masonic Hall, West Regent Street. — The second annual Purim concert of the Beth Herzl Zionist Institute, in aid of the funds, was held on Sunday, at the Institute. A sketch entitled " Grubstein versus Sugarman " was played. The principal parts were in the hands of S. Benson, P. Sherman, S. Marcuson, I. Benson, J. Sachs, S. Benson and H. Raigoff. Messrs. M Jacobs, P. Sopher, P. Woolfson and Master L. Freedman sang. Mr. D. August was accompanist. The arrangements for the concert were carried out by Mr P. Sherman. A large portrait of Dr. Herzl was presented to the Institute bv Mr. P. Sherman, on behalf of Mr. S. Lever. Portraits of Dr. Nordau and Herr David Wolffsohn were presented by Messrs. P. Sherman and B. Shenkin respectively.
• 1909 - The annual meeting of the Herzl Zionist Institute was held on Sunday. Mr. B. Shenkin presided. The Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. Sachs, submitted his report on the activity of the -Committee during the past year. The Treasurer, Mr. L. Haase, read the financial statement, which showed income £411, and expenditure £410. Thanks were accorded the Executive and Committee for their work during the past year, on the motion of Mr. S. Michaelson seconded by Mr. P. Sherman. The following were elected Messrs. B. Shenkin, President ; L. Haase, Vice-President; J. Harwitch and E Isaacs, joint Treasurers; J. Sachs, Hon. Secretary; and a Committee.
• 1912 - A general meeting of the Glasgow B'nei Zion was held in the Beth Hasepher Hall last Sunday, when Mr. Z. Golombok presided in place of Mr. J. Bernottin, resigned. The balance-sheet was adopted. The Chairman regretted the inactivities of the Society during the past few mouths, and appealed to the meeting to assist in reorganising the Society. Their position in Glasgow could, he said, be greatly improved, and their membership increased, and a special effort in this direction would be made at once. The following were elected : Messrs. A. Haase, President; Z. Golombok and B. Shenkin, Vice-Presidents; A. Links Treasurer; P. L. Halpern, Hon. Secretary; H. Furst, National Food Commissioner ; and L. Haase, Share Club Convenor.
• 1926 - Mr. I. Samunov, the Treasurer of the Central Office for Great Britain, visited Glasgow on Sunday. In the morning he addressed a conjoint méeting of the Jehuda Maccabee, Leo Pinsker, and Bnei Jacob, Beacons of the Order of Ancient Maccabeans. The respective Commanders pledged the support of their Beacons for National Fund work, and a number of volunteers were enrolled. Mr. Schenkin, the Chairman of the Glasgow Zionist Central Council also spoke. Thanks were accorded to Mr. Samunov on the motion of Mr. Shafter, supported by Mr. Balkind.
• Mr. Schenkin presided over a conference of Zionist workers held in the afternoon at Geneen's Restaurant. Mr. Samunov addressed the conference, and appealed for the support of the ladies. A Committee was elected to make the preliminary arrangements for a Jewish National Fund bazaar to be held in Glasgow in December. Mr. S. S. Samuel, J.P. moved, and the Rev. D. Jacobs seconded, a vote of thanks to the speaker. A public meeting was hold at the Jewish National Institute in the evening. Mr. A. I. Sunderland presided, and Mr. Samunov delivered an address on 'Zionism and its Intluence on the Galuth.' Thanks were conveyed to the lecturer by Mr. Louvish and Mr. A. Haase.

• 1929 - Glasgow Jewish Workers Circle - Conference with Zionist Workers - Jewish Agency Branch for Glasgow. The premier workers of Glasgow Zionism and Mr. Israel Cohen held a conference in the Central Station Hotel, Arran Room, last Sunday morning. Mr. F. Nettler, president of the Glasgow Zionist Organisation presided over the meeting. In addition to the speaker and the Chairman there were present Mrs. M. Teitleman, Mr. Jacobs, Miss R. Levine, Dr. E. Levine, Mr. J. Sunderland, Mr. A. Ji. Sunderland, Mr. P. Carter, Mr. Lazarus, M. I. Sieve, 8.A.; Mr. M. Steen, L.D.S., Mr. A. Haase, Mr. A. Levinson, Mr. Mosenson, Mr. B. Shenkin, Mr. J. Sachs, Mr, I. Shapiro, Mr. I. Horowitz, Mr. H. Shulman, Mr. E. Isaacs, Mr. J. M. Samuel and Mrs. Louvish.

Affiliations

• Glasgow Commission of the JNF | Glasgow Jewish Workers' Circle | Glasgow Zionist Central Council | Glasgow B'nei Zion | Herzl Zionist Institute - president - 1909.

See also

• Shenkin family