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R. Shalom Menachem Mendel son of R. Yitzchak Avin

Riga

Born in approximately 5627 (1867) in Dvinsk. Grandson of R. Welwel the dayan of Dvinsk, and son-in-law of R. Moshe Shapira, chief rabbi of Riga.

He served as rabbi and rabbinic decisor in Riga for 38 years, from approximately 5657 (1897) until his passing.1)

He passed away in Riga on 23 Adar I 5695 (26 February 1935) and was brought to rest in the Shmerli Cemetery.

He is mentioned in the prenumeranten at the end of the book Tiferet Shaul, vol. 3, as “the rabbinic decisor of the Petersburg suburb.”2)

A eulogy for him was printed in the book Simchat Chaim, vol. 2, p. 63.

Plaque in his memory fixed in the Zeilen Shul (on Stabo Street 63) on the occasion of the first yahrzeit, with the following text:

In memory of our teacher the rabbi, the Gaon, R. Shalom Menachem Mendel, son of R. Yitzchak Avin, of blessed and holy memory, who adorned the rabbinical chair of Riga for thirty-eight years and poured out his heart in this holy house from the day of its founding in the year 5661. He departed on 23 Adar I of the year 5695.

Latvia and Rabbis

1)
He appears in the registration books as officiant of kiddushin here from the month of Tammuz 5663 (June 1903). In the newspaper HaYnt after his passing it was written that he served in the rabbinate 44 years.
2)
Today this is the city center, Brīvības Street.