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KOHLER Origin of surname

KOHLER

Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from an occupation (also connected with raw material, finished product or implements associated with that trade).

The Jewish surname Kohler, in which the German ending "-er" means "of/from", is based on Kohle, the German for "coal". The term Kohler/Koehler designates a charcoal burner.

Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Kohler include the German historian of law, Josef Kohler (1849-1919) and the German-born American Rabbi Kaufmann Kohler (1843-1926).

Kaufmann Kohler (1843-1926), rabbi, scholar and reform leader, born in Fuerth, Germany, to an Orthodox family, he studied in the Fuerth school directed by his father and his later teachers in rabbinical studies included Samson Raphael Hirsch. He received his doctorate at Erlangen; his thesis on the blessing of Jacob was one of the first accepting Bible criticism and was banned in some quarters for its radicalism. Kohler then studied Oriental philology at the university of Leipzig and began to take an interest in Reform Judaism. In 1869 he was appointed rabbi of Congregation Bet-El in Detroit and in 1871 of Sinai Temple in Chicago where he introduced reforms including Sunday services. From 1879 he was rabbi of Temple Beth-El, New York (succeeding his father-in-law, David Einhorn) and in 1885 convened the Rabbinical Conference in Pittsburgh which laid down the platform for the US Reform movement. He was president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and from 1903 to 1921 of Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati. Kohler write many influential books including Jewish Theology and was editor of the philosophy and theology sections of the Jewish Encyclopedia.

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KOHLER Origin of surname
KOHLER

Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from an occupation (also connected with raw material, finished product or implements associated with that trade).

The Jewish surname Kohler, in which the German ending "-er" means "of/from", is based on Kohle, the German for "coal". The term Kohler/Koehler designates a charcoal burner.

Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Kohler include the German historian of law, Josef Kohler (1849-1919) and the German-born American Rabbi Kaufmann Kohler (1843-1926).
Written by researchers of ANU Museum of the Jewish People
Kaufmann Kohler

Kaufmann Kohler (1843-1926), rabbi, scholar and reform leader, born in Fuerth, Germany, to an Orthodox family, he studied in the Fuerth school directed by his father and his later teachers in rabbinical studies included Samson Raphael Hirsch. He received his doctorate at Erlangen; his thesis on the blessing of Jacob was one of the first accepting Bible criticism and was banned in some quarters for its radicalism. Kohler then studied Oriental philology at the university of Leipzig and began to take an interest in Reform Judaism. In 1869 he was appointed rabbi of Congregation Bet-El in Detroit and in 1871 of Sinai Temple in Chicago where he introduced reforms including Sunday services. From 1879 he was rabbi of Temple Beth-El, New York (succeeding his father-in-law, David Einhorn) and in 1885 convened the Rabbinical Conference in Pittsburgh which laid down the platform for the US Reform movement. He was president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and from 1903 to 1921 of Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati. Kohler write many influential books including Jewish Theology and was editor of the philosophy and theology sections of the Jewish Encyclopedia.