Murmelstein, Benjamin (* 9.6.1905)
History
Murmelstein was born in 1905 in Lemberg/Lwov (Galicia), studied in Vienna and became a rabbi. After the "Anschluss" of Austria in 1938, he worked for the Viennese Jewish community subordinated to the Nazis and organised both emigration and deportation of local Jews. In January 1943, he was deported to Terezín, where he was appointed to the "Council of Elders". He catalogued Hebrew manuscripts and was charged with the "beautification" of Terezín in preparation for the visit of the International Committee of the Red Cross (1944). From September 1944, he served as the head of the "Council of Elders" and survived in Terezín until the liberation. In 1945-1946, he was investigated for alleged collaboration with the Nazis, but was eventually released. Murmelstein settled in Italy and died in 1989 in Rome.