KUPERNIK, ABRAHAM (AVRAAM ARONOVICH):
Russian communal worker; born at Wilna 1821; died at Dembitza 1893, on his homeward journey from abroad; buried in Kiev. He studied Talmud at the Volozhin yeshibah and acquireda fair secular education. In 1851 he became manager under Yosel Ginsburg of the liquor monopoly in the government of Grodno, and in 1861 he served in a similar capacity in the government of Kiev.
Kupernik was prominent in the affairs of the Jewish community and did much toward the establishment of hospitals and other charitable and educational institutions. He was president of the Jewish hospital.
For his services as one of the board of directors of the prison Kupernik was decorated with the Order of St. Stanislas. He was also a member of the Red Cross Society and president of the city charities of Kiev (1882). In 1882 he was created honorary and hereditary citizen of the empire. He also received (1888) the gold medal of the Vladimir Order for his services as president of the board of directors of the government bank of Kiev.
As a writer Kupernik is known for his articles in the Hebrew periodicals, and also for a little volume published in 1891 under the title of "Ḳorot ha-Yehudim be-Kiyov," which is, however, not a history, but only a copy of the pinḳes of Kiev.
Kupernik's son Liov is one of the most prominent lawyers of South Russia. He ably defended the cause of the Jews in Kiev and Balta during the proceedings following the riots in 1881.
- Ha-Asif, vi. 161, Warsaw, 1893.
