Meyer Landsberg (1805 – 30 May 1864) was a German Orthodox rabbi and communal leader active in the first half of the 19th century. He was born in Halberstadt, Prussia, and received his traditional Jewish education in local yeshivot before continuing his studies at the University of Berlin, where he was exposed to contemporary German scholarship and philosophy.
In 1828 Landsberg was appointed rabbi of the Jewish congregation in Hanover, a position he held until his death. During his tenure, he worked to strengthen traditional Jewish observance while also engaging with the intellectual currents of the Haskalah (Jewish Enlightenment). He advocated for the improvement of Jewish education, the establishment of primary schools (cheder) and teacher training institutes, and the introduction of modern curricula that included secular subjects alongside religious studies.
Landsberg contributed to Jewish liturgical literature and responsa, addressing issues such as ritual practice, kosher supervision, and communal governance. He was involved in the formation of the Hanover Jewish community’s charitable institutions, including hospitals and aid societies for the poor. His correspondence with other prominent rabbis of his era, such as Rabbi Isaac ben Samson and Rabbi Samuel Wolf Schreiber, reflects his role in the broader network of German Orthodox leadership.
He died in Hanover on 30 May 1864 and was buried in the city's Jewish cemetery. Landsberg’s legacy is noted for his attempts to balance adherence to traditional Halakhic authority with the educational and social reforms emerging in 19th‑century German Jewry.
