S. J. Goldsmith

S. J. Goldsmith (שמואל יוסף גולדשמידט; born Shmuel Yosef Goldshmidt; 18 April 1915 – 18 January 1995), also known as Sam Goldsmith, was a journalist, author, and editor in the European Jewish press and English press.

Early life and education
Goldsmith was born in Jonava, Lithuania. He graduated from the Hebrew high school ('Schwabes') in Kaunas and from the University of Vitautas the Great in Kaunas.

His early career was in the Jewish press of Eastern Europe, writing for the daily De Yiddishe Shtimme (The Jewish Voice). From 1934 to 1939 he wrote for Hayntike Nayes (Today's News), becoming the editor of the evening edition in 1937. He relocated to London in 1939.

In England
From 1939, he reported and wrote op-eds for the Hebrew daily newspaper HaBoker in Tel Aviv, and for the British Sunday paper Reynold's News. As a British war correspondent he was the first journalist to enter the Bergen-Belsen camp after liberation and among the first in Dachau. He covered the Belsen Trial in Lüneburg and the Nuremberg Trials.

Between 1958 and 1975 he served as European editor for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. He was a prolific freelance contributor to various newspapers and journals, in several languages. During 1975–82, he wrote features for The Times, introducing aspects of Jewish ideas, culture, and politics to the British public. Among the causes he promoted were the Hebrew language, its promotion through education, and the fostering of bilingualism.

He was a founding member and chairman of the London branch of the World Hebrew Union. He was also well-known as an expert in Yiddish language and literature. He was one of the speakers at the fifth European Conference on Yiddish culture which took place in London in 1966.

Books
Goldsmith published books in both English and Hebrew, including five collections of essays. His works include:
 * Library of Congress catalogue no 62-21943

Personal life
He married Sonia Minsky, economist and teacher, in Kaunas in 1939. Their daughter is the British ancient historian Tessa Rajak.