He was born in Valbo (Gävleborg, Sweden) to Jewish parents who had migrated from Russia to Norway. Until the nazification of the Norwegian labor regulations he had different jobs as a musician, but then had to work for a steal company (Foss Järngjuteri i Agder). He was arrested on 23rd June 1941 and imprisoned in KZ Grini (#255). He was released on 14th July 1941 and categorized as „stateless“. Together with dental technician Viktor Leventhal (maybe his brother) and Viktor’s wife Alma Leventhal he escaped to Sweden on 17th October 1942.
