Kurman (Kurmann) Mendel Nisonovich (December 21, 1905, Skaistkalne, Bauska District, Latvia) — butcher.

Mendel Kurman was born into the family of butcher Nison Kurman (1874–1941). Completed four grades at the Skaistkalne local school. After the beginning of World War I, emigrated with his family to Saratov, returning to Skaistkalne in 1919. Worked as a butcher at the local slaughterhouse from 1919 to 1940. Served for two years (1926–1928) in the Latvian Army. In the summer of 1941, was evacuated to the town of Marks and returned to Latvia (Riga) in 1946. Worked as a meat procurer and grinder.

His father, Nison Kurman, died in early 1941. His mother, Sara Kurman (1884–1941), and his youngest brother of six siblings, Israel Kurman (1923–1940), were killed in Skaistkalne during the war. Three brothers fought on the fronts — Moisey Kurman (c. 1907–1940) was killed; Itzhok Kurman (born 1909) and Leib Kurman (born 1911) were left disabled after the war.

Cousins Louis and Laingel Smith emigrated to the African continent before World War I. Cousin Getizo Mendel moved to Israel in the 1920s seeking work as a teacher, and cousin Kolanbik Sonya emigrated to South Africa in the 1930s.

Family:

Nison Kurman (1874–1941) — father
Sara Kurman (1884–1941) — mother
Moisey Kurman (c. 1907–1940) — brother
Itzhok Kurman (born 1909) — brother
Leib Kurman (born 1911) — brother
Khana Kurman (1913–1932) — sister
Izrail Kurman (1923–1940) — brother
Ester (née Gutman) Kurman (born 1909) — wife
Aizik Kurman (born 1951) — son