10 Facts About Yitzhak Raveh

Yitzhak Raveh was a German-born Israeli judge who was one of the panel of three judges presiding over the trial of Adolf Eichmann.

Yitzhak Raveh was born in Aurich, Lower Saxony, Germany, the youngest of six children born to Heinrich and Selma Reuss.

Yitzhak Raveh's father was a teacher, Hebrew scholar and author.

Yitzhak Raveh earned a Doctorate of Law in 1929 at the University of Halle.

Yitzhak Raveh rose from private law practice, through directorship of the new Israeli Land Registration Ministry, followed by his appointment in 1952 as judge in the Tel Aviv District Court, Yitzhak Raveh held this position until his retirement in 1976, specializing in Land Law.

In 1960, Judge Raveh agreed to serve on a special, three-judge panel at the Jerusalem District Court created for the trial of Adolf Eichmann, who had been instrumental in the annihilation of millions of European Jews during the Second World War.

Yitzhak Raveh had been asked to serve because of his judicial acumen, his familiarity with the German language, literature, philosophy, educational system and culture, and because he had lost no family in the war.

Yitzhak Raveh lectured at symposia at the Tel Aviv University, wrote for law journals, and trained future lawyers and judges.

Yitzhak Raveh died in 1989 from complications of prostatic cancer and heart failure.

Yitzhak Raveh was survived by two daughters and three grandchildren.