Speranowitz, Yosef-Dov

Yosef Dov, son of Chana Malka and son of-Zion Speranowitz. was born on 25.7.1909 in Jerusalem. Yosef Dov continued to study independently even during his work. With all his might, he objected to the sale of the synagogue in Givat Shaul, his place of residence, to a factory. When the salesman came to implement the sale and all the worshipers left, Yosef Dov was left alone and began fighting with him in the synagogue. He continued the struggle, did not spare himself any effort and even conducted a trial against the seller, and was not tempted by the bribe he had offered him. Two years before his death, he chose to live in the Old City and would visit the Western Wall every day. When the War of Independence broke out, he took part in the defense of the Old City, first as a member of the Etzel and then as a member of the Hagana, participated in repelling Arab attacks and saved several Torah scrolls from the Nissan Beck Synagogue. On 12 Iyar, May 21, 1948, an Arab sniper shot him in the back of the head and he died. His last words were: “It is worthwhile to die for kiddush Hashem.” He left a wife, Feiga, two daughters and three sons. His name was engraved on the monument erected in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in memory of those who perished in the Jewish Quarter and the memory of soldiers who fell in the battle for Jerusalem and were buried on the Mount of Olives.