Abraham Peretz

Abraham Peretz was a Russian financier, one of the first Russian supporters of the European Jewish enlightenment, and a leader of the Jewish community. At the end of the 18th century he settled in St. Petersburg, where he became the protégé of Prince Potemkin (1739 – 1791).

Peretz made his fortune in commerce and shipbuilding and earned the title of commercial adviser from Czar Paul I (r. 1796 – 1801), during whose reign he contracted with the government for the purchase of Crimean salt. As his commercial operations became more extensive, many prominent people of the Russian upper classes enjoyed his hospitality, including the powerful Minister Speranski.

Peretz supported the Jewish Enlightenment movement and was in contact with some of the most prominent members of the movement. In 1802 he took part in the work of the Committee for the Drafting of Jewish Legislation, presenting various memoranda to the committee. However, in 1813 he converted to Christianity. One year earlier he lost his fortune as a result of unsuccessful contracts with the army during the Napoleonic invasion of Russia.