YANKEV-SIMKHE AVIDOR

YANKEV-SIMKHE (YAAKOV SIMCHA, YAKOV-SIMHA) AVIDOR (October 16, 1905-April 30, 1979)

     Born in Minsk, Belorussia; earlier surname: Peker.  Studied in religious schools; underwent preparatory agricultural training for emigration to Palestine; studied in an orthodox teachers’ seminary in Vilna, and received ordination from the Tachkemoni Rabbinical Seminary in Warsaw (1933), as well as a diploma for a teacher of psychological pedagogy and Judaism.  He was an activist in the Revisionist movement, a member of the central council of Tarbut [a network of Hebrew schools] in Poland a preacher and rabbi in the Shaarei-Tsiyon School; head rabbi of the Jewish community in Niderbeyern (Niderbayern, Lower Bavaria), Oyberplats (Oberplatz), and Oyber-franken (Oberfranken, Upper Fanconia), with a seat in Regenburg (from September 1949).  He initially published in Hebrew in the journal Hakochav (The star) (Warsaw, 1922), also contributing to various Yiddish newspapers and magazines.  His books include: Chagim ve-moadim (Holidays and festivals) (Warsaw, 1936); Mit ofene oygn (With open eyes), from a trip to Israel in 1953) (Minsk, 1954).  Edited works: Beminchah (In the afternoon) (Tel Aviv. 1942-1943); Der front (The front) (Minsk, 1949); Hamashkif (The spectator) (Minsk, 1949); Haoved haleumi (Servant of the nation), a monthly journal (Tel Aviv, 1947); Chazarat hachayil (Return of the soldier) (Tel Aviv, 1942 and 1944).  Collections: Yeshurun (“Israel”) (Tel Aviv, 1948); Luach brit hechayil (Tel Aviv, 1943); Metsudah (Citadel) (London and Warsaw, 1936).  Co-edited: Pinsker vort (Pinsk news, a newspaper) (1933-1934); Folks-ruf (People’s call, Yiddish-Polish newspaper) (1937); Kadimah (Onward) (Tel Aviv, 1942).

Sources: Tsionistisher leksikon (Zionist handbook) (Warsaw, 1938); Gezelshaftlekher leksikon (Community handbook) (Warsaw, 1939); Undzer velt (Our world) (Munich, 1949); Yeshurun (Munich, 1949).