PACHT, ISAAC

PACHT, ISAAC (1890–1987), U.S. attorney, judge, and community leader. Pacht, who was born in Millie, Austria, was taken to the U.S. while a boy. After his graduation from Brooklyn Law School in 1912, he moved to Los Angeles and in 1913 was admitted to the California bar. Pacht was a practicing attorney except for the periods when he served as judge of the Superior Court (1931–32) and judge of the California District Court of Appeal (1932–35). He was deeply involved in California prison reform and served for a number of years as president of the State Board of Prison Directors (1940–50), under appointment by Governor Culbert Olson. Governor Earl Warren appointed Pacht chairman of the California Commission on Criminal Law and Procedure (1947–49). Extremely active in Los Angeles Jewish affairs, Pacht held posts including chairman (the first) of the United Jewish Welfare Fund (1932–34); president of the Jewish Institute of Religion of Los Angeles; and president of the Los Angeles Jewish Community Council (1949–51). He also served as president or director of the Vista Del Mar Child Care Service for more than 40 years. He was the founding chairman of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles. Established in 1954, it has evolved into one of the city's largest foundations. (Max Vorspan)