Born in Mihaleini (Romania), he moved to Vienna in 1902 and became a follower of Herzl. He published economic-statistical studies of the Jews, in particular those of Austria. He established and edited early Zionist periodicals in Vienna. In 1907 Goldhammer-Sahavi returned to Romania but lived in Vienna again after World War I. For many years he was president of the Zionist Organization of Austria and was a founder of Poalei Zion. When the Nazis took over Austria he moved to Haifa where he was active in municipal affairs.