MAKS (MORTKHE) GAFT

MAKS (MORTKHE) GAFT (October 28, 1884-August 16, 1962)

            He was born in Shumyach, Mohilev region, Byelorussia.  He studied in religious primary schools and yeshivas.  He emigrated from Russia in 1905 and came to the United States in 1906.  He was an active socialist and leader in the American trade union movement.  He published articles on labor issues in Veker (Alarm), Forverts (forward), and Nyu-yorker vokhnblat (New York weekly newspaper).  He used such pen names as: A. Mohler, Mem-giml, Shimen Oyrvington.  He was director of the Jewish socialist organization in the United States and worked as a cultural leader.  He was living in New York until his death.

Sources: Y. Sh. Herts, Di yidishe sotsyalistishe bavegung in amerike (The Jewish socialist movement in America) (New York, 1954), see index.