Gutman Abram (1890-1941)

Gutman (Gutmann) Abram (9 January 1890, Lutsk, Volhynian Governorate – 1941, Riga) — lawyer, editor, Zionist activist.

Abram Gutman was born into the family of Froim Gutman, later director of the shareholder company Cotton Weaving and Spinning Association “Zasulauks”. In 1908, Gutman graduated from Riga Municipal Gymnasium and subsequently traveled to England. In 1909, he began studying law at the University of Dorpat (Tartu), graduating in 1913. He then pursued academic training at Heidelberg University, Germany. In 1914, he returned to Russia, attending lectures at the Oriental Faculty of Petrograd University in 1915. From 1916, he lived in Moscow.

From 1917, Gutman worked as an assistant to sworn advocate I. Pestov and as an editor of the newspaper Yevreyskoye Slovo (Jewish Word). He later served as secretary at the Law Institute of Moscow University.

In 1921, Gutman returned to Riga, where he became one of the editors of the newspaper Narodnaya Mysl (People's Thought). He lectured at the Faculty of Law of the Knowledge Institute at the Russian University. On 13 January 1926, he became an assistant to sworn advocate M.M. Hilman in Riga. On 11 February 1931, he was admitted as a sworn advocate at the Riga District Court.

Gutman was active in Zionist circles for over 30 years: as a member of the Latvian United Zionist Socialist Party, in the Histadrut HaTzionit organization, as treasurer of the Jerusalem University Support Association, and a board member of the Latvian branch of the Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (Jewish National Fund).

During the Soviet occupation, from 27 January 1941, he worked as an advocate at the 1st Riga Legal Consultation Office. He perished during the Nazi occupation of Riga in 1941.

In 1925, he married Rachele Lieberman (b. 20 September 1893). Their daughter Cecilia was born on 22 April 1928.

Works:

Проверка депутатских мандатов (Verification of Parliamentary Mandates), Riga, 1926.