Eliezer Poupko

Eliezer Poupko was a prominent American-Lithuanian rabbi who played a significant role in the Jewish community. Born on March 18, 1886, in Radin, Lithuania, he pursued his religious education at the esteemed Telz yeshiva. His dedication and scholarship earned him Semicha in 1908, marking the beginning of his distinguished career as a rabbi.

Rabbi Poupko's commitment to his faith and community led him to serve as the chief rabbi of Velizh, Russia, for 24 years. However, his unwavering stance on religious principles ultimately led to conflicts with the Soviet authorities. He was tried and sentenced to a Siberian prison twice in the 1930s for defying the Soviet Union's religious policies. Although initially sentenced to two years, his imprisonment was cut short due to the intervention of the United States rabbinate, which successfully secured a commutation of his sentence. Rabbi Poupko passed away in 1961, leaving behind a legacy of courage and devotion to his faith.