Rabbi Zissu Purtogal, of Bucharest, well-known as the “Skulener Rebbe.” and his son, were arrested by Rumanian authorities on April 8, according to information received here today by the Agudath Israel world executive.
Rabbi Purtogal established a record for saving many Jewish orphans during the years of World War II. It has been learned here that the Rumanian Government had given him an exit visa some months ago. However, the “Skulener Rebbe” refused to leave unless he were permitted to take with him several war orphans whom he had adopted.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.