Michael Alter Donetsk historian, local historian and Jewish historian, journalist Date of Birth: 23.09.1919 Country: Ukraine

1. Early Life and Career
2. Military Service and Journalism
3. Return to Civilian Life and Regional Contributions
4. Preservation of Jewish History
5. Literary and Geographic Contributions
6. Activism and Recognition

Early Life and Career

Mikhail Savelievich Alter was born in Yuzovka, now Donetsk, Ukraine, on September 23, 1919. His real name was Samuel Zaverievich. Alter developed a passion for local history from a young age and participated in archeological expeditions. He worked as a traffic superintendent on the children's Malaya Yuzhno-Donetskaya Railway.

Military Service and Journalism

In 1939, Alter enlisted in the army and served in the Battles of Khalkhin Gol. He spent nine years as an editor for several military newspapers, receiving combat wounds and earning military honors.

Return to Civilian Life and Regional Contributions

After his military service, Alter returned to Stalino (later renamed Donetsk) with his wife, Nina Vikentievna Strongovskaya. In 1957, he joined the Union of Journalists. Alter worked for the newspaper "Zhelezhnodorozhnik Donbassa" and for various publishing houses and information departments in the Donbas mining rescue service. He received the honorary title of "Honored Railroad Worker."

Through Alter's efforts, exhibits were created in five museums across the Donetsk region, including the Grigory Sedov Museum in Sedovo. For his work on the museum, he earned the title of "Honored Polar Explorer."

Preservation of Jewish History

Alter collected an extensive home archive of documents, letters, photographs, and other materials related to Jewish history in the Donbas. These materials were published in books and newspaper articles. Alter also received documents from Jews who were leaving the region, preserving their stories for posterity.

Literary and Geographic Contributions

Alter published the essay "In the Land of Prikalmiuskaya" in various anthologies, including "Donetsk: Historical and Local Lore Essay." He also wrote numerous local history essays for newspapers, including "Vecherny Donetsk" and "Donbass." Additionally, Alter produced travel guides for the Donbas region and Donetsk.

Activism and Recognition

Alter was an active member in the Donetsk Oblast Jewish community. He was a member of both the Russian and Ukrainian Geographical Societies. After his death in Donetsk on December 25, 2005, his daughter donated his archive to the Museum of Jewish Heritage in the Donbas. A memorial plaque in his honor was unveiled in Donetsk in 2007, and annual Alter Readings have been held there since 2007.