Bloch began working as printer's devil in his father's company in 1878. He was then appointed superintendent while still in his early twenties. In 1885, he went to Chicago, Illinois, to manage TheChicago Israelite, an edition of The American Israelite. In 1891, he and Emanuel W. Newman founded The Reform Advocate, with Emil G. Hirsch as its first editor. In 1901, at his father's suggestion, he moved to New York City, New York, to establish the family firm there. In 1907, he helped found the Free Synagogue with Stephen S. Wise, serving as its first secretary and later as its president and trustee. He also helped establish the Jewish Institute of Religion.[3] He served as president of the Bloch Publishing Company until his death, after which his son Edward succeeded him.[4]
Bloch was a director of the American Flag Company and a member of the American Publishers Association, the American Book Sellers League, and the National Book Sellers Association. He married Bertha Eisendrath in 1888. Their children were Benjamin C., Ruth, and Edward H.[5]
Bloch died from a heart attack at his home in Great Neck on September 2, 1940.[6]