Bernard Gerson Richards (born Dov-Gershon Rabinovich) was a prominent Jewish-American author, journalist, and community leader whose career spanned more than half a century. Born in Keidan, Lithuania, in 1877, he immigrated to the United States in 1886. Lacking formal schooling, Richards pursued his education through self-study while supporting himself through working-class jobs, including stints as a peddler and a dry goods store clerk.\n\nRichards eventually established himself in journalism, beginning his career as a reporter for the Boston Post. He went on to write extensively for various mainstream newspapers in Boston and New York, as well as Yiddish-language publications across Denver, Boston, and New York. His work also appeared in prominent Jewish journals such as the American Hebrew and The New Palestine, and he served as the editor of the New Era Illustrated Magazine until 1911.\n\nBeyond his literary and journalistic endeavors, Richards was a highly influential figure in Jewish civic and educational life. He played a pivotal role in founding the American Jewish Congress in 1915 and later established the Jewish Information Bureau of Greater New York in 1932. Dedicated to adult education, he also founded the American Jewish Institute in 1942. His leadership extended to international diplomacy when he served as an American delegate to the Versailles Peace Conference following World War I.
