Israel Dov Frumkin - Biography

Israel Dov Frumkin (born in Dubroŭna, Russian Empire, 29 October 1850 – 1914, Jerusalem) was a pioneer of Hebrew journalism, author, and builder of Jerusalem.

Family

His step grandfather was Aaron ha-Levi ben Moses of Staroselye. Emigrated to Jerusalem in 19 December 1859, at the age of nine, with his father, Alexander Sender Frumkin, mother and brother. His half brother Michael Levi, who assumed the name Rodkinson, published in New York the first translation of the Talmud to English. His sister Guishe Frumkin-Navon married Yosef Navon Bey, who built the Jaffa–Jerusalem railway. His son Abraham Frumkin (1872–1946), a prominent Jewish anarchist, was a contributor to the daily "Yiddische Welt", of New York. Another son, Gad Frumkin (1887–1960), was one of the first trained attorneys in Palestine and a member of the Supreme court during the British Mandate. Gad Frumkin's grandson—and thus Israel Dov Frumkin's great-grandson—is Karmi Gilon, who was head of the Shabak (Israeli security service.

Havatzelet

In 1869 Frumkin edited the Hebrew semi-monthly newspaper Havatzelet, which had been founded in Jerusalem by his father-in-law, Israel Back, a printer,in 1865, and a few years later he edited a Judæo-German weekly called "Die Rose." The latter, owing to lack of support, was soon discontinued. Havatzelet was changed to a weekly with a literary supplement; it was issued between 1868–1911. Its publication was spasmodically interrupted through the intrigues and machinations of the zealots of Jerusalem, whom Frumkin constantly denounced for the lack of reform in the "ḥaluḳḳah" system. Recently, however, he became reconciled to the management.

In 1883, for reflecting upon Gen. Lew Wallace, the American Minister to the Ottoman Empire, in an editorial in Havatzelet (xiii. No. 6), headed "An American and yet a Despot", the Havatzelet was suspended, and Frumkin was imprisoned for forty-five days, by order from Constantinople directed to the pasha of Jerusalem. The incident which caused the editorial was the dismissal of Joseph Kriger, the Jewish secretary and interpreter to the pasha of Jerusalem, at the request of Wallace, who complained that Kriger had failed to receive him with the honor due to his rank, and who refused to accept any apology for the alleged shortcoming. Frumkin claimed that the proceeding was instigated by the missionaries, whom Wallace strongly supported.

Other activities

After his release Frumkin organized the society "'Ezrat Niddaḥim" in honor of Sir Moses and Lady Judith Montefiore and to counteract the influence of the missionaries. "'Ezrat Niddaḥim" was active in support and education of Yemeni Jews and in building a village for them at Silwan. Frumkin was the author of several books, mostly translations.

• Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography: Sokolow, Nahum, Sefer Zikkaron, pp. 175–180, Warsaw, 1890.