Solomon Mikhoels

Born Shlioma Vovsi in Dvinsk (now Daugavpils ), Latvia , Mikhoels studied law in Saint Petersburg , but left school in 1918 to join Alexander Granovsky 's Jewish Theater Workshop, which was attempting to create a national Jewish theater in Russia based on the Yiddish language . Two years later, in 1920 , the workshop moved to Moscow , where it established the Moscow State Jewish Theater . This was in keeping with Lenin 's policy on nationalities, which encouraged them to pursue and develop their own cultures under the aegis of the Soviet state. Mikhoels, who showed outstanding talent, was the company's leading actor and, as of 1928 , its director. These plays were ostensibly supportive of the Soviet state, however, closer readings suggest that they actually contained veiled critiques of Stalin 's regime. It is noteworthy that two of the Shakespearean plays put on by the theater company were King Lear and Richard III , both studies in tyranny. By the mid-1930s, Mikhoels' career was threatened because of his association with other leading intelligentsia , who were victims of Stalin's purges , notably author Isaac Babel . Mikhoels actively supported Stalin against Hitler , and in 1942 , he was made chairman of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee . One of the last photographs Mikhoels was the most visible of the intellectual Jewish leadership, and a show trial would have cast aspersions on Stalin's rule. Before the purges began, however, he died in a car crash in Minsk in 1948 . Though he received a state funeral, his death is thought to have been orchestrated. His brother Miron Vovsi was Stalin's personal physician and was arrested during the Doctors' plot in 1953 , but he survived.

Itzik Feffer , Albert Einstein and Solomon Mikhoels (right) in the United States in 1943. Solomon (Shloyme) Mikhoels (16 March [ O.S. 4 March] 1890 – 13 January 1948) was a Soviet Jewish actor and the artistic director of the Moscow State Jewish Theater . Mikhoels served as the chairman of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee during the Second World War . However, as Joseph Stalin pursued an increasingly anti-Semitic line after the War, Mikhoels' position as a leader of the Jewish community led to increasing persecution from the Soviet state. In 1948, Mikhoels was murdered on the orders of Stalin and his body was run over to create the impression of a traffic accident. Monument of truth – Haaretz – Israel News

Itzik Feffer , Albert Einstein and Solomon Mikhoels (right) in the United States in 1943. Solomon (Shloyme) Mikhoels ( [also spelled שלוימע מיכאעלס during the Soviet era], Russian: Cоломон (Шлойме) Михоэлс , 16 March [ O.S. 4 March] 1890 – 13 January 1948), was a Soviet Jewish actor and the artistic director of the Moscow State Jewish Theater . Mikhoels served as the chairman of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee during World War II . However, as Joseph Stalin pursued an increasingly anti-Semitic line after the War, Mikhoels's position as a leader of the Jewish community led to increasing persecution from the Soviet state. He was assassinated in Minsk in 1948 by order of Stalin.

Soviet Jewish actor and chairman of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee (1890-1948) Left–right: Itzik Feffer , Albert Einstein and Solomon Mikhoels in the United States in 1943 Solomon (Shloyme) Mikhoels ( [also spelled שלוימע מיכאעלס during the Soviet era], Russian: Cоломон (Шлойме) Михоэлс , 16 March [ O.S. 4 March] 1890 – 13 January 1948) was a Latvian born Soviet Jewish actor and the artistic director of the Moscow State Jewish Theater . Mikhoels served as the chairman of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee during World War II . However, as Joseph Stalin pursued an increasingly anti-Jewish line after the War, Mikhoels's position as a leader of the Jewish community led to increasing persecution from the Soviet state. He was assassinated in Minsk in 1948 by order of Stalin. " "Stalin's Secret Pogrom: The Postwar Inquisition of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee" " .

Soviet actor and activist (1890–1948) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) Left–right: Itzik Feffer , Albert Einstein and Solomon Mikhoels in the United States in 1943 Solomon (Shloyme) Mikhoels ( Yiddish : שלמה מיכאעלס [also spelled שלוימע מיכאעלס during the Soviet era], Russian : Cоломон (Шлойме) Михоэлс , 16 March [ O.S. 4 March] 1890 – 13 January 1948) was a Soviet actor and the artistic director of the Moscow State Jewish Theater . Mikhoels served as the chairman of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee during World War II . However, as Joseph Stalin pursued an increasingly anti-Jewish line after the War, Mikhoels's position as a leader of the Jewish community led to increasing persecution from the Soviet state. He was allegedly assassinated in Minsk in 1948 by order of Stalin or Lavrenti Beria . " "Stalin's Secret Pogrom: The Postwar Inquisition of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee" " .