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Ruben Bierer facts for kids

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Ruben Bierer (also known as Rubin Bierer or Reuben Bierer) was a doctor born around 1845 in Lviv and passed away there in 1931. He was an important early leader in the movement for Jewish self-determination, known as Zionism, in places like Galicia (part of modern-day Ukraine and Poland) and Bulgaria. He was a strong supporter of the Hovevei Zion, a group that worked to build a Jewish homeland.

Early Life and Activism

Ruben Bierer began his work in Lviv. In 1867, he helped start Shomer Israel, which was one of the first Jewish political groups in Austria-Hungary. This group aimed to protect Jewish identity and rights.

Standing Up for Jewish Rights

Bierer believed it was important for Jewish people to keep their own culture and not fully blend into Polish society. Because of this, he created a special alliance between Jewish and Ruthenian (another ethnic group) voters for the 1873 elections to the Reichsrat, which was like the parliament of Austria-Hungary. This showed his dedication to political action for his community.

Studying Medicine and New Groups

In 1879, Ruben Bierer left Shomer Israel and moved to Vienna to study medicine. While there, he met Peretz Smolenskin, and together they founded another Jewish political group called Ahavath Zion. This group focused on the idea of Jewish people settling in their historic homeland.

In 1882, he also helped start Kadima, a student association in Vienna. After finishing his studies, he returned to Lviv in 1883. There, he founded Miqra Kodesh, which became the first Jewish-national association in the eastern part of Austria.

Later Years and Legacy

Ruben Bierer traveled to Serbia in 1885. He returned to Lviv in 1900 and tried to restart Shomer Israel, but he wasn't successful.

The word "Zionism" is often linked to Nathan Birnbaum around 1890. However, Ruben Bierer actually used the term earlier. In a letter from December 9, 1888, he wrote "zionist brother's greeting." The word "zionist" was even found in a Romanian pamphlet from 1877, showing it was in use before it became widely known.

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