Levi Isaacs (c. 1860 – 30 October 1913) was a tobacconist and Jewish lay leader in Adelaide, South Australia and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Isaacs was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, the eldest son of itinerant jeweller Solomon Isaacs (c. 1830 – 30 August 1917) and his wife Pauline (c. 1830 – 14 July 1923), and came to South Australia with his parents and their family around 1865 and settled at 4 Tavistock Street, Adelaide.He was educated at the Pulteney Street School and at Adelaide Educational Institution. His father opened a jeweller's and watchmaker's shop in Rundle Street, where by 1875 Isaacs was being employed.[1] By 1884 his father had a tobacconist's shop on Rundle Street east between Pulteney Street and Synagogue Place.[2] He also ran a tailor's establishment.
Isaacs was a serious young man, and showed great interest in religion and literature. He became a leading lay member of Adelaide synagogue's congregation:
He travelled extensively throughout South Australia, particularly the north as far as Oodnadatta, where he founded a literary society.[3] Isaacs ran the well-known tobacconist's business at "Isaacs' Corner" on the north corner of King William and Hindley streets 1891–1904, and was charter president of the South Australian Retail Tobacconists' Association 1894–1897. This was at a time when the retail tobacco shops were being used by many as a front for illegal "tote" bookmakers.[4]
Citing health reasons, Isaacs left for Melbourne in May 1904,[5] where his reputation had preceded him and was soon just as immersed in the Jewish community there as he had been in Adelaide. He took over John Lipshut's tobacconist's shop on the corner of Swanston and Little Collins streets. His son Eric took "The White Florist" shop next door. He became president of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, serving for three years, and was also president of the Melbourne Jewish Philanthropic Society, United Jewish Educational Board, and the Melbourne Tobacconists' Association. They had a home at 30 Jackson Street, St Kilda, where he died.[6]
The northern corner of the Hindley Street – King William Street intersection was for years known as "Isaacs' Corner".[7] It had been previously known as "Platt's Corner", then "Howell's Corner", and was also known as "Stump's Corner" for its dominating signs advertising the upstairs premises of photographer Alfred Stump, where one of Adelaide's many fires started in 1900.
Solomon Isaacs (c. 1830 – 30 August 1913) and his wife Pauline (c. 1830 – 14 July 1923), married at Sernas Golenz, Germany, on 6 October 1855, lived in Newcastle upon Tyne, emigrated to South Australia aboard Sophia around 1865[8] Their family included: