Arones Faivish (1893-1982)

Arones Faivish (Feiwisch) (Fayvl Leibovich) (21.06.1893, Daugavpils, Latvia – 27.08.1982, Petah Tikva, Israel)

Jewish theatre actor, film actor, director, playwright, and translator.

Early Life and Theatre Career

Began his acting career in 1911 in Daugavpils.

Served in World War I, was awarded the St. George Medal for Bravery, and was seriously wounded on the front, recovering in a Saint Petersburg hospital.

Performed in Jewish theatres in Kharkiv, Minsk, and Birobidzhan.

Maintained a close correspondence with Solomon (Shloyme) Mikhoels.

Acted in Jewish and classical world theatre, playing roles such as:

Tevye the Dairyman

Gotsmakh

Menakhem-Mendl

De Silva, and others.

Literary and Film Work

In the 1920s, wrote the play “Aristocrats and People”, which was performed at the Artef Theatre in New York, USA.

In the late 1930s, translated Samuil Marshak’s “Mister Twister” into Yiddish, published in Minsk.

1935 – Acted in the Lenfilm movie “The Border” (Granitsa).

Repression and Exile

On 5 October 1949, during the anti-Semitic campaign against Jewish culture, Faivish Arones was arrested in Birobidzhan for alleged “nationalist activities”. He was sent to the Gulag at Siberlag No. 033, Novochunka Station, Irkutsk Oblast. In 1956 he was released and rehabilitated after Stalin’s cult of personality was denounced.

Return to Latvia and Emigration to Israel

On his release, Faivish Arones returned to Riga, where he resumed his cultural activities. In 1958 he performed at the Riga Philharmonic with his wife, the Jewish folk singer Berta (Bella) Arones. In 1972 he Made aliyah to Israel with his family.

In Israel, Faivisch Arones wrote a history of the Jewish Birobidzhan Theatre in Yiddish, which is now preserved at Tel Aviv University. He also continued his artistic career, giving concerts with his wife.

Awards

Awarded the Gold Medal of Bnei Brak for his contribution to modern Jewish culture.

Photo Descriptions:

Faivish Arones on stage and in everyday life.

With his wife, Berta (Bella) Arones.

Poster for his 1958 concert at the Riga Philharmonic.