According to survivors' testimony, before World War II Spira was an impoverished glazier and carpenter who practiced Orthodox Judaism.
[4] In the early days of the Krakow ghetto, Spira served as a low level clerk for the Judenrat.
[6][7] After taking this role his appearance would change, adopting the police uniform in place of religious wear and removing his beard entirely.
[3][4] One power that Spira's proximity to the SS gave, was his ability to facilitate bribes for work identification cards on behalf of the residents of the ghetto.
[4] The ghetto residents came to distrust him, believing that he was a Gestapo collaborator and giving him the nickname "SS," after the Nazi force.