FASTLICHT, ADOLFO

FASTLICHT, ADOLFO (1905–1964), Mexican Zionist leader. Born in Galicia, then part of Austria, he studied in traditional and public schools there. He was also active in the Zionist youth organizations. In 1925 he emigrated to Mexico, where he opened a dental workshop together with his brother. He continued his studies and graduated as a dentist. Fastlicht was involved in the establishment of the Organización Sionista Unida "Kadima" (the Zionist Federation) in 1925 and acted as its vice president in 1929. In 1933 he traveled to Ereẓ Israel, where he stayed a year. After his return he served as president of B'nai B'rith, Maccabi, the Zionist Federation, the Anti Defamation League, and the Comité Central – the umbrella organization of the Jewish community that acted as its political representative. Fastlicht was the first honorary consul of the State of Israel in Mexico, promoted the organization of the Instituto de Intercambio Cultural México-Israel, and was the honorary president of the Israeli-Mexican Commerce Chamber. (Efraim Zadoff (2nd ed.)