Born in 1914 in Nevel, he was engaged, during the Soviet regime, in underground activity for Aliyah. Documents and passports were prepared in his home for those who tried to go to Israel. In 1951 he was arrested for this activity and was given the death penalty which was eventually commuted to 25 years imprisonment. He served his sentence in the Vorkuta camps and was released in 1959. It took him another 10 years to get to Israel.
