Wiktor Alter Prominent figure of the Bund Date of Birth: 07.02.1890 Country: Poland

1. Early Life and Activism
2. England and the Russian Revolution
3. World War II and Arrests
4. Creation of the JAC and Final Arrest

Early Life and Activism

Vikenty Abramovich Alter, a prominent figure in the Jewish Labor Bund, was born in Mława, Poland. His involvement with the Bund began in 1912 when he became an active member in Warsaw. His participation led to his arrest and exile to Siberia.

England and the Russian Revolution

During World War I, Alter resided in England. He returned to Russia after the February Revolution and assumed leadership of the Bund in Poland from 1919 to 1939. As a journalist and trade unionist, he actively contributed to Jewish community life.

World War II and Arrests

With the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, Alter fled to Soviet-occupied territory. He was apprehended by the NKVD in Kowel and sentenced to death in July 1941, later commuted to ten years of imprisonment. In September 1941, he was released alongside Henryk Ehrlich as part of Soviet plans for the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee (JAC).

Creation of the JAC and Final Arrest

Immediately after his release, Alter joined Ehrlich in establishing the JAC. They evacuated to Kuibyshev in October 1941, where they were rearrested on December 4, charged with connections to German intelligence. On February 17, 1943, Alter was executed. His death drew comparisons to the infamous case of Sacco and Vanzetti in the United States.