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

David Yutan, 5.6.1916- 1.2000

David Yutan was born in Vilna and studied at the Epstein Gymnasium and at the Faculty of Agronomy at a university in the city. He was active in the Betar movement and the student organization, serving in key positions in Vilna and Katowice and in the institutions of the new Zionist Organization, founded by Ze'ev Jabotinsky.

At the beginning of 1939, he was appointed Betar Commission officer in Poland, headed by Menachem Begin. He also served as head of Aliyah B, aka Af Al Pi – (Despite All Odds) in Warsaw.

At the outbreak of World War II, Yutan returned to Vilna to take care of the Second Aliyah of Betar refugees (an illegal aliyah). He managed to evade Soviet rule and after wanderings arrived in March 1941 with his wife Sarah to Eretz Israel.

Yutan attended a commanders' course at the National Military Organization (NOW) in Shuni and was appointed chief of staff of the Irgun. In this context, he was responsible for the printing press and a member of the editorial staff of the underground "Herut" newspaper.

In April 1944, he was arrested by the British and imprisoned in Latrun and in the fortress of Akko. He was exiled together with 251 Etzel and Lehi members to Eritrea, Sudan and Kenya.

In June 1947, he was returned to Eretz Israel, was once again arrested together with the leaders of the Revisionist Movement, and released on the eve of the creation of the State.

Yutan was one of the founders of the Herut Movement and served in senior positions. He was a member of the executive committee of the General Federation of Labor, secretary of the Tel Aviv Workers' Council in the above, and from 1952 served for various periods as a member of the Tel Aviv City Council until his retirement in April 1989.

As a member of the City Council, he headed the public medical and hospital services, took an active part in the management of the Dan Region Association of Towns, of Al- Sam in the war on drugs, and was a member of various committees.

He was declared a Los Angeles citizen, attended international conferences on health and social problems, was a delegate to Zionist congresses, a member of the presidency of the Zionist General Council, and a movement representative on the board of the World Jewish Congress in Israel. In 1989, he received the title of "Yakir Tel Aviv-Yafo."

Yutan was involved in extensive political activity in the Likud movement and was one of its most prominent figures. During his multifaceted public activity, he devoted his spirit and energy to commemorating the glorious heritage of Vilna Jewry - his hometown.

He was one of the founders of the Association of Jews from Vilna and Vicinity in Israel, served for many years as its chairman and related to Beit Vilna as a center of commemoration and documentation of Vilna Jewry - Jerusalem of Lithuania - for generations. It was his life's work and he devoted to it power, time and passion.

He was buried in the Nahalat Yitzhak cemetery, next to his wife, Sarah née Neiburg in 2000.

From: Wikipedia (Hebrew)