Nurok Mordechai (1884, Tukums, Courland Governorate — 1962, Tel Aviv) — rabbi, civic and state figure. Doctor of Philosophy. Born into a rabbi's family. Received traditional Jewish religious education. In the early 1900s, joined the Zionist movement. In 1902, delegate from Courland to the congress of Russian Zionists in Minsk; in 1903, delegate from the “Mizrahi” movement at the 6th Zionist Congress in Basel. Studied at St Petersburg University, then at universities in Germany and Switzerland. In 1913–15, rabbi of Mitau. Organised a network of schools with religious and secular instruction in Courland Governorate. In 1915–20 — in Moscow, deputy chairman of the Jewish community. Actively participated in aid to Jewish refugees. In spring 1917, N. created the national-religious party “Masores ve-Cherus” (“Tradition and Freedom”). From 1921 — in Latvia. From 1922 — deputy of the Latvian parliament for all convocations from religious Zionists. Headed the bloc of national minority representatives. Participated actively in the work of several international interparliamentary conferences devoted to the protection of national minorities. N. — one of the founders of the World Jewish Congress, member of its board. In 1939–40, actively participated in helping Jewish refugees from Poland, transferring them to Sweden. In 1941, N. was arrested and accused of anti-Soviet activity. In 1942, was released thanks to pressure from English and American parliamentarians. In 1945–47 — in Poland, then in Sweden. From 1947 — in Eretz Israel. In 1949–62 — member of the Knesset. In 1952 — Minister of Posts. N. participated in the activities of the Society for Aid to Prisoners of Zion in the USSR. Over the decades, N. published hundreds of articles in various Jewish periodicals in different languages.

REE 2, 339-340