Zamoshtshanski, Shimshen
1857-January 14, 1935
He was born in Volkovisk (Wołkowysk), Grodno region, at the time in Russia. He studied in religious primary school and yeshivas. He married at an early age and became a businessman. He was one of the first Ḥoveve Tsiyon (Lovers of Zion) and followers of the Jewish Enlightenment in the city.
He published poetry and essays on national Jewish themes and fictional depictions and fantasies in: Hatsfira (The Siren) in Warsaw; Hamelits (The Advocate) in Odessa; and Volkovisker Shtime (Voice of Wołkowysk) and Volkovisker Lebn (Wołkowysk Life), among others.
In book form: Der Eyntsiger Veg, Dialog Tsvishn Man un Froy vegn Ashires un Dales, Luksus un Basheydn (The Only Way, Dialogue Between Man and Wife on Wealth and Poverty, Luxury and Modesty) (Vilna, 1932), 119 pp. Written in a modern Yiddish, this book describes the coming generations in a world of justice and peace with a vision of a Jewish state under the protection of the alliance of peoples, built “on foundations and principles of Sinai.”
He died in Wołkowysk.
Sources: E. Y. Goldshmidt, in Di Tsayt (Vilna) (September 16, 1932); Volkovisker Lebn (Wołkowysk) (January 15, 1935); information from his son, Leyzer Zamoshtshanshki in New York.