SALVENDI, ADOLF

SALVENDI, ADOLF (1837–1914), rabbi, early adherent of Ḥovevei Zion, and organizer of charitable projects. Born in Waag-Neustadt, Slovakia, Salvendi officiated as a rabbi in Berent, Prussia (from 1864), and from 1865 acted as the district rabbi of more than 30 communities in Frankenthal, Bavaria, while living in Duerkheim. He continued in this capacity until 1910, when he went to live with his daughter in Karlsruhe. He resisted the influence of the extreme Reform movement (whose leaders persecuted him throughout his life) in the communities under his control and did much to further traditional religious education. At the same time Salvendi became well known as an organizer of relief projects for needy Jews. At first he collected money for the Jews of Russia, Persia, and other countries, and from 1877 for Ereẓ Israel. He published the names of donors and the sums collected in special lists, adding information about events in Ereẓ Israel, especially in the new settlements. Over 1,100 such lists were published over a period of 30 years, and this contributed substantially to the strengthening of Ḥibbat Zion in Western Europe, especially in Germany. The articles accompanying the lists were also of outstanding value as informative and propaganda material for Ḥibbat Zion. As a result of these activities, Salvendi was made an honorary member of the central committee of Ḥovevei Zion at the *Kattowitz Conference.

bibliography:

A.B. Posner, in: A. Elmaleḥ (ed.), Ḥemdat Yisrael (1946), 136–46.

[Getzel Kressel]