Every morning my father would put on a tallit, white clothes and pray. He regularly went to a synagogue. On the way back, the sons always looked in on their mother, who lived near the synagogue. They would drink a toast, wish their mother a peaceful Shabbat and go home.
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Displaying 6421 - 6450 of 50826 results
samuel sukhenko
I remember well our family seder. We arranged some chairs, covered them with pillows so my father could recline on them. There were new plates and glasses on the table; we ate matzah and all sorts of things. Then we opened the doors, Father said a prayer and offered a glass of wine. Children always wondered: Would they see the wine receding in the glass? We believed that somebody really would come to drink it.
My parents were fond of singing: both of them had a good ear for music. Every Saturday they used to sing Jewish songs together, and Tanya danced with a walking-stick. I still remember those melodies, although then I was only 9 or 10 years old. This continued until 1920.
Soviet rule began in 1917; first, the Germans came, then Denikin's soldiers. In January 1920, the latter were thrown out, and the Soviet rule began. There were no pogroms. But when 90,000 of Denikin's soldiers passed through our village, they would rob Jewish houses and rape girls. This went on for three days, and I remember every detail of it, even now. All day and all night, by horses and in cars, Denikin's army passed through our village. We lived in a very beautiful house, so my parents, my youngest sister and me moved to our neighbors. It was a small house with an earth floor. A poor Jewish family lived there. Once, five Cossacks burst into the house. They were looking for gold, but those poor people had never seen any gold themselves. Then Cossacks began to threaten to kill them. They told us to stand on the trestle-bed near the stove and said, "Now we'll kill you." My father, who was a military man, whispered to us, "Be quiet, they just want to intimidate us." They heard and began to shout: "Who here speaks, Zhid?" Then they took the neighbor's daughter, stripped her naked, straddled her and prodded her with whips. All the same, where could her parents find gold? Then they took her by force to another room. After some time they went away; the girl was left there. We run away from their house as quickly as possible. I was 11. Denikin's soldiers left, and for a whole week, nobody was in control. Then a small detachment of mounted Red Army soldiers appeared. In front of us boys, they shot a soldier of the White Guard, whose body then lay in downtown for a long time, eaten by pigs.
There were four
brothers. My father was the youngest. He was born in 1870; his name was
Kopel-Duvid. We lived among the Armenians. The oldest brother, Joseph, who
was 20 years older, lived among the Moldavians. He had a large garden and
raised bees. The third brother, Shloime, lived among the Russians, while
the fourth, Yankel, lived between the Jews and the Armenians.
brothers. My father was the youngest. He was born in 1870; his name was
Kopel-Duvid. We lived among the Armenians. The oldest brother, Joseph, who
was 20 years older, lived among the Moldavians. He had a large garden and
raised bees. The third brother, Shloime, lived among the Russians, while
the fourth, Yankel, lived between the Jews and the Armenians.
Who are my forefathers? I became interested in this question when I was 16.
Uncle Joseph, who at the time was older than 90, would tell me: "Your
grandfather was Pushkin's contemporary, he was born in the 18th century; he
was arrested and had to serve 25 years in the army under Alexander I. He
took part in three wars and returned home when he was 37. We don't know
whether he converted to Christianity, but he came back with the name of
Sukhenko. For his service he received a big land plot forever and 100
silver rubles.
Uncle Joseph, who at the time was older than 90, would tell me: "Your
grandfather was Pushkin's contemporary, he was born in the 18th century; he
was arrested and had to serve 25 years in the army under Alexander I. He
took part in three wars and returned home when he was 37. We don't know
whether he converted to Christianity, but he came back with the name of
Sukhenko. For his service he received a big land plot forever and 100
silver rubles.
So, my father and his three brothers possessed this land
until collectivization.
until collectivization.
My father was a farmer. We grew tobacco.
My grandfather was a hatter.
My
father served in the military for four years under Alexander III in the
town of Bendery.
father served in the military for four years under Alexander III in the
town of Bendery.
In 1902, he left for Argentina; he was invited to develop
agriculture there. My father spent five years in Argentina and spoke
Spanish fluently.
agriculture there. My father spent five years in Argentina and spoke
Spanish fluently.
My father spent five years in Argentina and spoke
Spanish fluently. He also knew Russian, Moldavian, and certainly Yiddish.
Spanish fluently. He also knew Russian, Moldavian, and certainly Yiddish.
My mother, Tsivye, was born in Chisinau; her father was a house-painter.
Most probably, they were artists, and my sisters and I inherited their
artistic abilities. My mother was illiterate, but she had talent. In the
kitchen, we had a small ceramic pot filled with glue. She used to shape it
- into a little dog, a kitten, or a piggy. All these figures were very
expressive - the dog would stand on its hind paws, the kitten would be
stretching itself. Of course, in that uneducated environment, nobody
appreciated it properly.
artistic abilities. My mother was illiterate, but she had talent. In the
kitchen, we had a small ceramic pot filled with glue. She used to shape it
- into a little dog, a kitten, or a piggy. All these figures were very
expressive - the dog would stand on its hind paws, the kitten would be
stretching itself. Of course, in that uneducated environment, nobody
appreciated it properly.
My maternal grandfather had several sons. The family was very poor, and,
when my mother was 3, she went to live with her aunt in Kamenka.
when my mother was 3, she went to live with her aunt in Kamenka.
Grandmother told us that she married when she
was 14.
was 14.
Leah had a big trunk filled with clothes. From time to
time, she used to air them in the yard. Among her things, there was a
shroud that had been prepared for her burial.
time, she used to air them in the yard. Among her things, there was a
shroud that had been prepared for her burial.
Tanya was going to be a
painter, but unfortunately, she did not have the opportunity to receive a
good education. She began to work as a secretary after the death of her
husband.
painter, but unfortunately, she did not have the opportunity to receive a
good education. She began to work as a secretary after the death of her
husband.
matvey loshak
My grandfather studied sewing-machine repair, and he
spent all his life working for the Zinger company. He even went to the
United States for training. Then he spent all his life at this work as a
common worker.
spent all his life working for the Zinger company. He even went to the
United States for training. Then he spent all his life at this work as a
common worker.
My grandparents lived in Berdichev; they rented a small flat. Before the
war, they no longer worked, because did not feel well, especially had
problems with their legs. They died the death of many Jews of Berdichev -
shot by the fascists.
war, they no longer worked, because did not feel well, especially had
problems with their legs. They died the death of many Jews of Berdichev -
shot by the fascists.
My grandparents were religious, but they were not fanatics about all the
canons. They kept all Jewish holidays and traditions, but I cannot say that
they attended the synagogue regularly.
My grandfather wore common clothes of a worker, he also had a holiday suit,
but I don't remember every seeing his yarmulke or tallit. They both
certainly had holiday clothes, but they had no savings or valuables.
canons. They kept all Jewish holidays and traditions, but I cannot say that
they attended the synagogue regularly.
My grandfather wore common clothes of a worker, he also had a holiday suit,
but I don't remember every seeing his yarmulke or tallit. They both
certainly had holiday clothes, but they had no savings or valuables.
My father finished only elementary school - four grades - and "inherited"
the profession of a mechanic of sewing machines. If I'm not mistaken, he
worked in Berdichev at the "Victory" factory.
the profession of a mechanic of sewing machines. If I'm not mistaken, he
worked in Berdichev at the "Victory" factory.
An interesting fact: during the war, Zyama's family was evacuated from the
blockaded Leningrad, but my uncle stayed. He worked there; he had many
pictures of Leningrad during the blockade, and then after the war, he had a
lot of exhibitions. He died in the 1960s.
blockaded Leningrad, but my uncle stayed. He worked there; he had many
pictures of Leningrad during the blockade, and then after the war, he had a
lot of exhibitions. He died in the 1960s.
Only my mother's family and Aunt Nadya remained in Berdichev. My mother was
an educated person for that time. She finished seven grades of a high
school or secondary school. Not long before the war, she began to work at
the passport department of Berdichev.
an educated person for that time. She finished seven grades of a high
school or secondary school. Not long before the war, she began to work at
the passport department of Berdichev.
Berdichev was a small town. Most of the population was Jewish. There were
some small enterprises, mostly forestry and the wood industry. I remember
the city was neat, green. I went to a kindergarten there. In general, the
city was very interesting. There was an Orthodox Church, a Catholic Church,
and a Carmelite monastery, if I'm not mistaken, but it was not functioning.
There was an old fortress. There was certainly a synagogue in Berdichev,
but I never went there, I don't even remember what it looked like. I only
know that my grandparents went there on holidays, but in secret. They never
took me with them, because I was very young. My parents never went there;
it was not common for their generation, and authorities would not like it
either. All of this I remember vaguely. I remember that a circus came and
was located across from our house, next to the market. I remember the
market with wagons from different villages selling poultry, fruits and
vegetables. I remember all these wagons and their noise. I could not tell
who was Jewish and who was not, and I was not thinking about who I was. But
as far as I remember from my parents, relations between the Ukrainians and
Jews were good.
some small enterprises, mostly forestry and the wood industry. I remember
the city was neat, green. I went to a kindergarten there. In general, the
city was very interesting. There was an Orthodox Church, a Catholic Church,
and a Carmelite monastery, if I'm not mistaken, but it was not functioning.
There was an old fortress. There was certainly a synagogue in Berdichev,
but I never went there, I don't even remember what it looked like. I only
know that my grandparents went there on holidays, but in secret. They never
took me with them, because I was very young. My parents never went there;
it was not common for their generation, and authorities would not like it
either. All of this I remember vaguely. I remember that a circus came and
was located across from our house, next to the market. I remember the
market with wagons from different villages selling poultry, fruits and
vegetables. I remember all these wagons and their noise. I could not tell
who was Jewish and who was not, and I was not thinking about who I was. But
as far as I remember from my parents, relations between the Ukrainians and
Jews were good.
I remember our house, or rather our half of the house, in Lenin Street. I
had an elder sister named Mary, born in 1931. I remember very well the room
where my parents, my sister and I lived. The room looked large to me. Our
beds were metal; there also was a bureau, a round table and chairs. A
tablecloth with tassels was on the table, and I liked hiding under the
table. Next to our room was Aunt Nadya's room, and there was a small hall
between our rooms. In it there was a window, under which a samovar always
stood. On holidays, the whole family came together around this table with
the samovar.
had an elder sister named Mary, born in 1931. I remember very well the room
where my parents, my sister and I lived. The room looked large to me. Our
beds were metal; there also was a bureau, a round table and chairs. A
tablecloth with tassels was on the table, and I liked hiding under the
table. Next to our room was Aunt Nadya's room, and there was a small hall
between our rooms. In it there was a window, under which a samovar always
stood. On holidays, the whole family came together around this table with
the samovar.
I remember Hanukkah well. We always looked forward to it, because children
got gifts. I received caramel candies and money. I don't know how this
money was spent because my mother had it and our life was hard. I also
remember Purim with three-cornered poppy pasties. My parents kept Jewish
traditions and holidays, but they were not religious. On Yom Kippur, they
always fasted.
got gifts. I received caramel candies and money. I don't know how this
money was spent because my mother had it and our life was hard. I also
remember Purim with three-cornered poppy pasties. My parents kept Jewish
traditions and holidays, but they were not religious. On Yom Kippur, they
always fasted.
Around 1936, my mother began to work at the passport department of the city
police department, and her official position - she was first a private and
then got an officer's rank - caused her to be afraid to go to the
synagogue. I remember well that after the war people were watched, and my
mother was always afraid that somebody would learn that we celebrated
Passover or other Jewish holidays at home. My mother worked from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m., then she had a break from 5 to 7 p.m., and then she worked again
from 7 to 12 p.m.
I don't remember if any of our family members were repressed before the war
- at least, I never heard of it. But my mother was so scared of the regime
that she always prevented any talk on this topic. She was afraid she would
be fired.
police department, and her official position - she was first a private and
then got an officer's rank - caused her to be afraid to go to the
synagogue. I remember well that after the war people were watched, and my
mother was always afraid that somebody would learn that we celebrated
Passover or other Jewish holidays at home. My mother worked from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m., then she had a break from 5 to 7 p.m., and then she worked again
from 7 to 12 p.m.
I don't remember if any of our family members were repressed before the war
- at least, I never heard of it. But my mother was so scared of the regime
that she always prevented any talk on this topic. She was afraid she would
be fired.
I vividly remember the beginning of the war. The war was announced. The
Germans began to bomb and shell Berdichev; their planes would fly very low
and simply fire at people in the streets. As far as I remember, there were
no military objects in Berdichev. But I remember these bombing raids very
well. On July 7, when bombing began, we ran out of the house and my parents
pulled me into a ravine in our backyard. I remember was that there were a
lot of stinging nettles there, and when my parents pressed me to the
ground, I cried because of the nettles. So my father ran into the house and
grabbed a children's blanket for me, and the Germans immediately began to
fire at our house. When the bombing stopped, my father, mother, sister and
I did not go into our house, but went to my mother's office at the police
department. As soon as we got there, we were put into a truck, which took
us to a train station. I don't remember whether it was Kiev or Zhitomir. We
were put on a train and sent to Stalingrad.
Germans began to bomb and shell Berdichev; their planes would fly very low
and simply fire at people in the streets. As far as I remember, there were
no military objects in Berdichev. But I remember these bombing raids very
well. On July 7, when bombing began, we ran out of the house and my parents
pulled me into a ravine in our backyard. I remember was that there were a
lot of stinging nettles there, and when my parents pressed me to the
ground, I cried because of the nettles. So my father ran into the house and
grabbed a children's blanket for me, and the Germans immediately began to
fire at our house. When the bombing stopped, my father, mother, sister and
I did not go into our house, but went to my mother's office at the police
department. As soon as we got there, we were put into a truck, which took
us to a train station. I don't remember whether it was Kiev or Zhitomir. We
were put on a train and sent to Stalingrad.
In Stalingrad, we
were settled at a stadium, on the benches. My mother was immediately
registered as a police officer. She received food portions and documents.
Then we were sent through Dubovka and Kamyshin to a village. My father was
mobilized to dig trenches in Stalingrad. In 1942, when the fascists came
near Stalingrad, my father went to our village - I think, it was Verkhnyaya
Dobrinka.
From there we went to Kustanay, Kazakhstan.
were settled at a stadium, on the benches. My mother was immediately
registered as a police officer. She received food portions and documents.
Then we were sent through Dubovka and Kamyshin to a village. My father was
mobilized to dig trenches in Stalingrad. In 1942, when the fascists came
near Stalingrad, my father went to our village - I think, it was Verkhnyaya
Dobrinka.
From there we went to Kustanay, Kazakhstan.