J. (Joseph) Chotzner

Born in Cracow on May 11, 1844, Joseph Chotzner studied at the Breslau rabbinical seminary and the University of Breslau. After his ordination, he became the first rabbi of the Jewish congregation in Belfast, serving from 1870 to 1880 and later returning to the post in the 1890s.

Alongside his religious work, he built a reputation as a scholar and author. Sources describe him as writing on Hebrew literature and satire, and his books include Hebrew Humour and Other Essays, which reflects the learned but approachable style he was known for.

Chotzner died in 1914, but he remains a notable figure both in the history of Jewish Belfast and in English-language writing on Jewish and Hebrew culture.