Lazar Moiseyevich Kaganovich (22 November 1893 – 25 July 1991) was a Soviet politician and administrator and a close associate of Joseph Stalin. His ruthless efficiency in carrying out Stalin's massive purges earned him the nickname "Iron Lazar". Indeed, Kaganovich took few steps to save his own brother when he was accused of counter-revolutionary activities. Historians generally hold Kanagonvich responsible for the 1932-33 famine in the Ukraine.