David Svirsky — Association of Jews of Vilna and vicinity in Israel

David (Dodik) Svirsky, Accountant, 7.10.1921-26.10.2011

David (Dodik) Svirsky was born in Vilna to Asher (Oskar) Svirsky, whose father owned many estates in the area of ​​Mažeikiai, and his mother Banda née Kagan was a Hebrew teacher at the "Tarbut" school and a lecturer at the "Tarbut" Teachers' Seminary.

Dodik began his studies at the Epstein "Tarbut" elementary school, and then studied at the Tushiyah National Religious Gymnasium. In 1939, he graduated as an outstanding graduate in Litzon and was accepted to study mathematics and chemistry at the Stefan Baturi University in Kovno.

In Ghetto Vilna, Dodik was appointed director of the green baize (the only vegetable garden in the ghetto) and thanks to him there were no cases of starvation in the ghetto (unlike the Warsaw ghetto where Jews died of hunger every day).

With the liquidation of the ghetto, Dodik went to the Rudniki forests together with Bluma Levin, later his wife, and her brother Benik. After two previous unsuccessful attempts, the three reached the forest, became partisan fighters in extremely difficult living conditions and from there continued to the Narocz Forest.

At the end of the war, they left for Romania, and Dodik, together with the late Yaakov Farner, established kibbutzim which gathered together Jews from all over Europe. From there, they boarded illegal immigrant ships to Eretz Israel.

In Israel, Dodik and Bluma had three children - Dana Koppel, director of a travel agency, Liora Svirsky-Dror, a lawyer and Asher Svirsky - a businessman who lives with his family in London.

Dodik successfully completed his accounting studies and at the same time working as general secretary of the Central Israeli Company for Trading and Investments, he opened a private accounting firm.

For many years, Dodik served as Chairman of the Association of Jews from Vilna and Vicinity in Israel. For eleven years, he served as sole director of a Swiss-Israeli bank in London.

Dodik also served as chairman of the Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority established by Israeli Knesset, and in collaboration with Yad Vashem, published a book in English called: THE HOLOCAUST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. The book was translated in many languages and aroused public interest.

Another book is currently being published, this time in Hebrew, dealing with the commemoration of the active and passive heroism of Jews who survived or perished during the Holocaust - a subject that was very close to his heart.

Dodik left behind a wife, Tzipi Svirsky née Epstein, and a wonderful generation of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

May his memory be blessed.