Benzion Alfes

Ben-Zion Alfes (1851–1940) was a well known Rabbi, prolific author and Jewish orator (Maggid) who traveled to many Jewish communities in tireless support of many Jewish causes. He wrote some 60 books, including the extremely popular series Maaseh Alfes, which became a household name. The last work he saw published, written at age 90, was an autobiography titled "The Life Story of the Maase Alfes." Another work, Toledot ve-Zikhronot, also an autobiography, but with a different focus, was published posthumously.

Early life Ben-Zion Alfes was born in Vilna to Rabbi Yirmeyahu Akiva on the first of Kislev 5611 (1851)." had six children: Esther (1869–1956), wife of Rabbi Nisson Rabin Shepsl Alfes (1872–1956) Mordechai Alfes (1877–1942) (perished in the Holocaust) Dr. Akiva Alfes (1879–1962) Sonia Gurwitch (1879–1960) Malka Velikowsky (1895–1965)