Smolyak Leizer Mordukhovich (1909)

Smolyak (Smoljak) Leizer (Leiser) Mordukhovich (17 October 1909, Ludza — ?) — barber.

Leizer Smolyak was born into the family of Mordukh Smolyak (1868–1950) and Basya Smolyak (1869–1949, Riga).

From 1927 to 1931, he worked as a barber in the artel “Dragil” in Riga. From 1931 to 1932, he completed compulsory military service in the Latvian Army. From 1932 to 1941, he worked as a self-employed barber in Balvi.

In 1941, he was evacuated to the Gorky region. In 1942, he voluntarily joined the Soviet Army.

After demobilization in 1945, he moved to Riga, where until 1948 he worked as a barber in the ORS (Workers’ Supply Department) of the Administration for Arts.

From 1948 to 1969, he worked as a barber in various institutions, including the artel “Bytovik,” the Trust of Bathhouse-Laundry and Hairdressing Services, and the “Laimdota” service combine.

From 1969, he was retired. He was a member of the Communist Party (CPSU) from 1949 to 1969.

He was awarded the medals “For Combat Merit” and “For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945.”

He married Khaya Smolyak (née Solovey) (1909, Balvi). Their children are Miryama Shrage (née Smolyak, later Dende-Pletman) (1934, Balvi), Ella Yuha (née Smolyak) (1936, Balvi), and Lyubov Smolyak (1947, Riga).

In 1971, Leizer Smolyak received permission to emigrate to Israel, following an invitation from his daughter Miryama.

Family:

Khaya Smolyak (née Solovey) (1909, Balvi) — wife
Miryama Shrage (née Smolyak, later Dende-Pletman) (1934, Balvi) — daughter
Ella Yuha (née Smolyak) (1936, Balvi) — daughter
Lyubov Smolyak (1947, Riga) — daughter
Mordukh Smolyak (1868–1950) — father
Basya Smolyak (1869–1949, Riga) — mother
Roza Mazo (née Smolyak) (1902, Ludza — 1964, Riga) — sister
Lesya Tsiyuni (née Smolyak) (1908, Ludza) — sister