Wednesday, 4 January 2017

YITZHAK YITZHAKY

YITZHAK YITZHAKY (October 11, 1901-September 21, 1955)
            The pen name of Yitskhok Lishevski, he was born in Rîbnița (Rybnica), Podolia region, Ukraine [now in Moldova].  He studied law in Paris.  In his youth he joined Haḥaluts (The pioneer) in Russia.  During the Bolshevik uprising, he served in the Red Guard.  In 1920 he left Russia for Turkey, where he worked with the illegal immigration to Israel and with transporting weapons for the Hagana in Israel.  He arrived in Israel in November 1921.  He was part of the leadership of the left Labor Zionists and the founder of the most active group (the “Yitzhaki faction”) of the party, but at the same time he was a fighter for the rights of Arab laborers in the land of Israel.  He was cofounder of the Jewish-Arab Socialist League, of the Israeli-Russian Friendship group, and of other organizations.  He was arrested many times by the British and spent time in various jails in Israel.  He published articles in: Arbeter-tsaytung (Workers’ newspaper) in Warsaw; Nay-velt (New world) and Der kamf (The struggle) in Tel Aviv; and other publications of the left Labor Zionists in various countries.  In Hebrew he published articles in: Kol hapoel (Voice of labor), Bemifne (At the turn), Laaḥdut haavoda (For the union of labor), and Al hamishmar (On guard), among others.  In book form: Mehagana lehatkafa (From the Hagana on the assault) (Tel Aviv, 1932), 47 pp.; Tenuat hapoalim haben-leumit (The international labor movement), with Nahum Nir (Tel Aviv, 1933).  With Zev Abramovits, he edited the Hebrew-language writings of Ber Borokhov (Tel Aviv, 1934).  He died in Tel Aviv.  On the occasion of the thirtieth day following his death, the Hebrew collection, Yitsḥak yitsḥaki (Tel Aviv, 1955), 86 pp., was published.

Sources: D. Tidhar, in Entsiklopedyah leḥalutse hayishuv uvonav (Encyclopedia of the pioneers and builders of the yishuv), vol. 4 (Tel Aviv, 1950), pp. 1879-80; Dr. R. Mahler, in Al hamishmar (Tel Aviv) (September 26, 1960).
Khayim Leyb Fuks


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