Rafal Abkovicz The last Polish gazzan, founder of the Wroclaw Kenesa. Date of Birth: 16.03.1896 Country: Poland

1. Early Life
2. Education and Military Service
3. Return to Lithuania
4. Rabbinical Career
5. Community Service and Teaching
6. Post-World War II Resettlement
7. Legacy and Burial

Early Life

Rafael Avrahamovich Abkowicz was born into a Karaite family on August 19, 1896, in Trakai, Lithuania. His father was Avraham Szemoel Abkowicz, and his mother was Ester Aranowicz. He had two sisters, Nina and Sofia, and a brother, J?sef.

Education and Military Service

Abkowicz graduated from a four-year school in Trakai in 1911 and began working in the local treasury. Concurrently, he studied theology under the guidance of the Karaite spiritual leadership, with Boguslaw Firkowicz and Zaharia Mickewicz as his teachers.

In July 1915, Abkowicz volunteered for the Russian army. After completing officer school in Moscow in March 1916, he was assigned to the 177th Infantry Regiment and fought in World War I.

Return to Lithuania

Following his demobilization in 1918, Abkowicz was assigned to Kharkiv but returned to Trakai as a citizen of Lithuania. He established a "midrash," a Karaite religious school, in 1918.

In 1919, with the arrival of Polish troops in Trakai, Abkowicz initiated the establishment of a school for Karaite children with Polish as the language of instruction. This school operated until August 1920.

Rabbinical Career

In February 1919, Abkowicz became a "ribbi" (rabbi) under the auspices of Zaharia Mickewicz and was elected as junior gazan (prayer leader) in June of the same year. He resigned from this position in 1920 and worked in an office until 1925.

Community Service and Teaching

From 1925 to 1927, Abkowicz served as councilor to the mayor of Trakai. From 1927 to 1929, he taught Karaite language and religion in Vilnius. From 1929 to 1938, he held the posts of gazan and religion teacher in Lutsk. In 1938, he became a member of the Society of Lovers of Karaite History and Literature in Vilnius.

Post-World War II Resettlement

After World War II, in March 1946, Abkowicz relocated to Poland with his wife and younger sons, settling in Wroclaw. He established Karaite self-government and conducted religious services in his apartment, which became the only kenassa (Karaite prayer house) in post-war Poland until 1989. He also worked as an accountant during this time.

Legacy and Burial

Rafael Avrahamovich Abkowicz passed away in 1992 and was buried in the Karaite cemetery in Warsaw at ulica Redutowej 34. He was the last Polish gazan and the founder of the Wroclaw kenassa, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the history of Karaite Judaism.