Markus G Dreyfus

Markus G. Dreifus, born on 18 November 1812 in Endingen, was a pivotal figure in the struggle for Jewish emancipation in Switzerland. Descending from a family with a prominent Rabbi in his maternal lineage, he received a traditional Jewish education before attending Talmud College and later the Protestant teachers' seminary in Karlsruhe.

Dreyfus began his teaching career at the Israelite school in Endingen after passing teacher training exams in 1831. He briefly studied at the University of Basel in 1834, becoming the first Swiss Jew to do so. His career took him through various educational institutions, including roles in Hofwil and Hagenthal. In 1852, he moved to Frankfurt to establish a Jewish agricultural school but returned to Switzerland in 1872, continuing his teaching until 1876.

Dreyfus was deeply involved in the fight for Jewish civil rights. He wrote petitions and tracts advocating equality, including the influential *On the Appreciation of Judaism among its Non-Confessors* (1860). His efforts contributed to the passage of civil equality laws in Switzerland by 1866, though some local restrictions persisted until 1874.

Additionally, Dreyfus founded a craftsmen's association to aid Jewish apprentices and maintained connections with leading figures in liberal Judaism. His life was dedicated to education and the advancement of Jewish rights, leaving a lasting impact on both Jewish communities and Swiss society.