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Macy's magnate Nathan Straus used his fortune to combat disease in New York and Mandatory Palestine

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Nathan Straus, a Macy's magnate, pioneered public health programs like milk pasteurization in New York City and malaria treatments in Mandatory Palestine.
  • Unlike contemporaries like Rockefeller and Carnegie, Straus gave away his wealth early and initiated innovative social and health programs without specialized expertise.
  • Raised in a generous Jewish family, Straus believed it was the duty of the wealthy to give back, influencing his significant philanthropic achievements.

Nathan Straus, a titan of the Gilded Age who helped build Macy's into a retail empire, exemplified a different approach to wealth by dedicating his fortune to public health initiatives. While modern billionaires debate the nature of philanthropy, Straus's legacy, detailed in Andrew Fisher's "Nathan Straus: From Macy’s Magnate to International Humanitarian," highlights his pioneering work in combating disease.

Straus's efforts included establishing milk depots for impoverished children in New York City and providing malaria treatments in Mandatory Palestine. His milk pasteurization program, initiated in the 1890s, was replicated nationwide and in Palestine, earning him praise from Jewish leaders like Rabbi Stephen Wise and Henrietta Szold.

As a person who had substantial rather than titanic wealth, Straus had been able to affect the health of whole populations in America and [the British Mandate of] Palestine.

— Andrew FisherAndrew Fisher, author of the biography on Nathan Straus, discusses the scale of Straus's philanthropic impact.

Fisher notes that Straus, despite possessing less wealth than figures like John D. Rockefeller or Andrew Carnegie, achieved remarkable philanthropic feats. Straus began giving away his money early in his career, pursuing significant initiatives while simultaneously building his retail businesses. This commitment stemmed from a deeply ingrained sense of duty, instilled by his parents, who believed the wealthy were obligated by conscience and divine law to contribute to society.

Raised in a German Jewish family in Georgia, Straus found religious expression through his philanthropic endeavors. His father fostered a culture of generosity and intellectual curiosity, even inviting Protestant ministers to discuss the Torah at family dinners. This upbringing empowered Nathan to expand beyond his father's business, merging to form Macy's and Abraham & Straus, and to apply his considerable resources to improving the lives of others.

Nathan thought that it was incumbent upon the rich, by the laws of God and conscience, to give back. That was their duty.

— Andrew FisherAndrew Fisher explains the philanthropic philosophy instilled in Nathan Straus by his parents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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