Born in 1920 in Riga, Latvia, to a Zionist family which observed Jewish tradition. In 1933 joined the organization Ha-Shomer Ha-Tsair, collecting donations for Keren Kayemet and Keren Ha Yesod. After the occupation of Latvia, Lev tried to escape from Latvia to the USSR, together with his sister Bella and brother Boris in order to attempt the crossing of the border between Turkmenistan & Iran, in an attempt to reach Eretz Israel. Seized by the authorities, he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment followed by 5 years of exile. He served his time in VostUrallag in the Eastern Urals. Freed in 1956, he returned to Riga to continue in his persistent struggle with the Soviet Authorities for permission to travel to Israel. In 1972 he finally succeeded in getting there with his sister. Their brother, Boris, died in prison. Remember & Save website
