Abeles, Simon

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ABELES, SIMON

ABELES, SIMON (Simele ; 1682–1694), alleged Christian martyr. The Jesuit chronicler John Eder relates that Simon, who was born into a Prague Jewish family, wanted to embrace Christianity at the age of 12. His father Lazar, a glover, was accused of having murdered him. During the investigation Lazar allegedly hanged himself in prison, and a fellow Jew, Loebel Kurtzhandel, was executed as his accomplice. Simon, although not baptized, was buried with honors in the Týn (Thein) church where his grave may still be seen.

bibliography:

Processus inquisitorius … Abeles (1728); R.A. Novotńy, Staropražské sensace (1937), 13–15; Polák, in: Ceskožidovský kalendář (1912/13).