Grandma Chana Bokser emigrated along with my mother's brother, Jidl, to the United States, in 1923, I think.
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Displaying 10351 - 10380 of 50826 results
Michal Friedman
Grandma Chana kept a traditional home. The kashrut and all the holidays were observed there.
That was probably in 1991, during one of the Pope's [John Paul II] visits to Warsaw. The Pope expressed his wish to meet with the Jewish community. At the time, a so-called Coordination Committee uniting several Jewish organizations was in existence. I was then the acting chairman of the Jewish Historical Institute Association and was chairing, under a rotation system, the Committee, which also included the JSCS and the Jewish religious community. I was tremendously impressed by his kindness of heart and direct manner. We felt that we were dealing with an individual of outstanding importance in the history of the papacy. He greeted us as if we had known each other. He even invited me to take a seat next to him. The main substance of my speech, besides words of recognition for the Pope, who had taken a positive stance toward the Jews, included a request to undertake an effort for the diplomatic recognition of Israel.
The Pope is a just man, like a tzaddik. And in the view of the sages of the Talmud and the cabalists, a just man stands higher than angels in the hierarchy of saintliness and importance. Angels only sing songs of praise and carry out directives, while a tzaddik, Hasid, or a just man, at times gets even a chance to change God's judgment, for his pleas, made in direct dialogue, may be granted. An angel gets the order to come down to earth to protect that man, whereas the tzaddik does it by his own will and his own inclination, and for this reason he stands higher than the angel in the hierarchy of importance.
Since the Pope's visit, this Judeo-Christian dialogue has become more visible in Poland, and there is an extraordinary need for it. The accumulation of stereotypes has been far greater in Poland than elsewhere. For example, the issue of the involvement of Poles in saving Jews has surfaced recently. And in fact, there used to be a stereotype that during the wartime the Poles were blackmailers and anti-Semites, and no mention was made of just Poles. Even the just among the Poles did not flaunt what they had done.
The Pope is a just man, like a tzaddik. And in the view of the sages of the Talmud and the cabalists, a just man stands higher than angels in the hierarchy of saintliness and importance. Angels only sing songs of praise and carry out directives, while a tzaddik, Hasid, or a just man, at times gets even a chance to change God's judgment, for his pleas, made in direct dialogue, may be granted. An angel gets the order to come down to earth to protect that man, whereas the tzaddik does it by his own will and his own inclination, and for this reason he stands higher than the angel in the hierarchy of importance.
Since the Pope's visit, this Judeo-Christian dialogue has become more visible in Poland, and there is an extraordinary need for it. The accumulation of stereotypes has been far greater in Poland than elsewhere. For example, the issue of the involvement of Poles in saving Jews has surfaced recently. And in fact, there used to be a stereotype that during the wartime the Poles were blackmailers and anti-Semites, and no mention was made of just Poles. Even the just among the Poles did not flaunt what they had done.
Is Poland an anti-Semitic country? No. Poland is a country where there also are anti-Semites. There is a lot of this ludic brand of anti-Semitism, which is a bit ridiculous. But Poland is also a country in which there is an enormous number of centers that oppose anti-Semitism. I must say that, with the exception of the policy carried out in the military, I haven't experienced anti-Semitism. I have had the fortune of finding myself always in very progressive company.
Emilia Kushnir
Later, after my husband's death, I went to Israel. My cousin Franklin
paid for my trip. I certainly took everything there as something dear and
close. Everything was so interesting - the rich synagogues, the Torah
scrolls, the mezuzahs. I was there on Passover. I heard the words I had
forgotten long time ago, the words I knew in my childhood. Some things I
recovered in my memory, others things were new to me.
In Israel I learned about all the traditions, about how to celebrate
Passover, about prayers and Haggadah. Jewish life in Kiev is very
different. It is wonderful that we have "Hesed," synagogues and Jewish
youth organizations. I certainly don't want to pretend, because I am not
religious and will never be, but I am still very interested in everything
about Jewish life. Sometimes I think that we have lost something in our
lives due to the degree of our assimilation and being far from the Jewish
life. But it is not our fault - it is rather our trouble.
paid for my trip. I certainly took everything there as something dear and
close. Everything was so interesting - the rich synagogues, the Torah
scrolls, the mezuzahs. I was there on Passover. I heard the words I had
forgotten long time ago, the words I knew in my childhood. Some things I
recovered in my memory, others things were new to me.
In Israel I learned about all the traditions, about how to celebrate
Passover, about prayers and Haggadah. Jewish life in Kiev is very
different. It is wonderful that we have "Hesed," synagogues and Jewish
youth organizations. I certainly don't want to pretend, because I am not
religious and will never be, but I am still very interested in everything
about Jewish life. Sometimes I think that we have lost something in our
lives due to the degree of our assimilation and being far from the Jewish
life. But it is not our fault - it is rather our trouble.
For some time my husband and I were thinking of emigrating to Israel.
We knew very little of Israel then and were afraid to quit everything here
and find ourselves in a strange and unknown country. We thought we would
never again be able to return here and see our near and dear, for everyone
who left could not even keep up a correspondence with us because of our
fear of the authorities. Such correspondence was always checked by the
Security Service and it was dangerous; people could even be fired from work
for it. We also understood that it would be hard for us to learn a new
language and find a job. At that time those who were emigrating were held
up to shame. Then we decided that since we were alone, with no children, we
could stay here; and so we stayed.
We knew very little of Israel then and were afraid to quit everything here
and find ourselves in a strange and unknown country. We thought we would
never again be able to return here and see our near and dear, for everyone
who left could not even keep up a correspondence with us because of our
fear of the authorities. Such correspondence was always checked by the
Security Service and it was dangerous; people could even be fired from work
for it. We also understood that it would be hard for us to learn a new
language and find a job. At that time those who were emigrating were held
up to shame. Then we decided that since we were alone, with no children, we
could stay here; and so we stayed.
When the new political developments and wars started in Israel, my
father got very interested in them. He took all Jewish problems very
closely to heart. He subscribed to the Soviet Jewish journal and listened
to all the "Voices" (radio stations that were forbidden in our country and
whose radiocast was jammed); he wanted to know the truth. My father died in
1974.
father got very interested in them. He took all Jewish problems very
closely to heart. He subscribed to the Soviet Jewish journal and listened
to all the "Voices" (radio stations that were forbidden in our country and
whose radiocast was jammed); he wanted to know the truth. My father died in
1974.
My mother cooked a wonderful dinner and
invited everyone who knew my aunt. My husband noticed that outside our
house a car was being repaired for the whole time they spent at our house.
As soon as they left, the car left too.
Then they went to Moscow. We saw them off at the train station, and
they were watched again. After their departure, the police came to my
mother and to my workplace. My husband was also summoned to the personnel
department of his workplace and asked many detailed questions about our
guests and those who wanted to see them here. They tried to make him a
supergrass, but he declined the "offer.
invited everyone who knew my aunt. My husband noticed that outside our
house a car was being repaired for the whole time they spent at our house.
As soon as they left, the car left too.
Then they went to Moscow. We saw them off at the train station, and
they were watched again. After their departure, the police came to my
mother and to my workplace. My husband was also summoned to the personnel
department of his workplace and asked many detailed questions about our
guests and those who wanted to see them here. They tried to make him a
supergrass, but he declined the "offer.
In 1955 my aunt Polya came to us from Switzerland. I already mentioned
that we lost communication with her prior to the war. After the war, my
father found her. She said her husband had died. Our correspondence was
restored. Then again in 1949 there was fight against cosmopolitism, and
again we had no letters from her. Only after Stalin's death, a friend of
hers (whose son was a political figure in democratic Germany) came to us
and brought us a letter from her.
So, when we received a letter from her, telling us that she was
coming, my father went to the police to "legalize," so to speak, her visit.
He went and asked them if we could have a relative visit us from
Switzerland. The police said "yes," so, we went to the airport.
that we lost communication with her prior to the war. After the war, my
father found her. She said her husband had died. Our correspondence was
restored. Then again in 1949 there was fight against cosmopolitism, and
again we had no letters from her. Only after Stalin's death, a friend of
hers (whose son was a political figure in democratic Germany) came to us
and brought us a letter from her.
So, when we received a letter from her, telling us that she was
coming, my father went to the police to "legalize," so to speak, her visit.
He went and asked them if we could have a relative visit us from
Switzerland. The police said "yes," so, we went to the airport.
I also felt anti-Semitism in my life. Jews were not given work at our
organization, but those Jews who were already working there were not
dismissed. When I was sent to work by the institute in 1949, the director
of that work was Nathan Kaplan, a very good man, active and famous. And
then the Central Committee of the Communist Party dismissed him for no
reason, allegedly for confusing two pages in a newspaper, even though he
had nothing to do with that. It was a real tragedy for our collective. Then
we had a Party meeting, at which we all had to vote for his dismissal, but
nobody wanted to vote for that, on the contrary, we wanted to get him back.
Well, it did not help, and organizers of that "rebellion" were also
accused.
organization, but those Jews who were already working there were not
dismissed. When I was sent to work by the institute in 1949, the director
of that work was Nathan Kaplan, a very good man, active and famous. And
then the Central Committee of the Communist Party dismissed him for no
reason, allegedly for confusing two pages in a newspaper, even though he
had nothing to do with that. It was a real tragedy for our collective. Then
we had a Party meeting, at which we all had to vote for his dismissal, but
nobody wanted to vote for that, on the contrary, we wanted to get him back.
Well, it did not help, and organizers of that "rebellion" were also
accused.
Some of his friends - Russians, and Ukrainians with whom
he had studied, worked at the People's Economy Council and provided
recommendations for him. He went to many places, was told that people of
his profession were needed, but as soon as he showed his documents, he was
immediately denied any job offers. Explanations varied: we don't need you
anymore, etc., but nobody stated the direct reason. Then the
"Yuzhgiprosteklo" Institute was set up, he was admitted there, and he
worked there up till his retirement to pension.
he had studied, worked at the People's Economy Council and provided
recommendations for him. He went to many places, was told that people of
his profession were needed, but as soon as he showed his documents, he was
immediately denied any job offers. Explanations varied: we don't need you
anymore, etc., but nobody stated the direct reason. Then the
"Yuzhgiprosteklo" Institute was set up, he was admitted there, and he
worked there up till his retirement to pension.
Boris graduated from the Economic Institute of Kiev. He felt anti-
Semitism very strongly. He worked as an economist, but Jews were not
allowed such jobs. It took him a while to find a job at the art glass
factory, but then he was fired from there. He had a conflict with somebody;
anyway, he was fired because he was Jewish. Then for a very long time he
could find no job.
Semitism very strongly. He worked as an economist, but Jews were not
allowed such jobs. It took him a while to find a job at the art glass
factory, but then he was fired from there. He had a conflict with somebody;
anyway, he was fired because he was Jewish. Then for a very long time he
could find no job.
Boris, just like me, was brought
up in a Jewish family and received a good education. But his family never
were religious, so neither my husband nor I know Jewish traditions,
religion or language. We lived at a time when it was not very safe or
fashionable to be religious and attend a church or a synagogue.
up in a Jewish family and received a good education. But his family never
were religious, so neither my husband nor I know Jewish traditions,
religion or language. We lived at a time when it was not very safe or
fashionable to be religious and attend a church or a synagogue.
He
was born in 1924, in the village of Gaisin, in the Vinnitsa region. He
fought during the war as a private, and the end of the war found him
somewhere under Kenningsberg.
was born in 1924, in the village of Gaisin, in the Vinnitsa region. He
fought during the war as a private, and the end of the war found him
somewhere under Kenningsberg.
I married in 1955. My husband, Boris Markovich Kushnir, is Jewish.
I remember the year 1953 mostly due to Stalin's death. People in
general were very loyal to him, and our family was, too. I was hysterical
when I heard he died. It was a shock for the country to listen to the 20th
Party Congress with Khrushchev exposing Stalin's cult. Not everyone
believed that, many remained Stalin's admirers.
general were very loyal to him, and our family was, too. I was hysterical
when I heard he died. It was a shock for the country to listen to the 20th
Party Congress with Khrushchev exposing Stalin's cult. Not everyone
believed that, many remained Stalin's admirers.
I began to work at the "Radyanska Ukraina" ("Soviet Ukraine")
publishers. There I worked for the rest of my life, first as a labor
management engineer, then as the chief of the labor department, and then I
retired. I could not continue to work on my career. But I had been working
at the ideology department, which was very rare for Jews. After the war I
sensed a difference in attitude towards the Jews. I was no longer promoted
anywhere because I was Jewish.
publishers. There I worked for the rest of my life, first as a labor
management engineer, then as the chief of the labor department, and then I
retired. I could not continue to work on my career. But I had been working
at the ideology department, which was very rare for Jews. After the war I
sensed a difference in attitude towards the Jews. I was no longer promoted
anywhere because I was Jewish.
There I began to work at the printing shop and to study at
the Lvov Polygraphist Institute. Then we exchanged our good flat in Lvov
for a bad flat in Kiev and moved to Kiev.
the Lvov Polygraphist Institute. Then we exchanged our good flat in Lvov
for a bad flat in Kiev and moved to Kiev.
I also remember being in fear of
Bandera gangs.
Bandera gangs.
, Ukraine
A military tribunal prosecutor lived in our flat, and since
my father did not serve in the army because of his age, we were not allowed
to receive our flat back. He turned to the chairman of the city council for
help, but received none, so we had to go to Lvov. There we bribed the house-
manager (which was "unofficially legal") and bought a good flat from the
Poles.
my father did not serve in the army because of his age, we were not allowed
to receive our flat back. He turned to the chairman of the city council for
help, but received none, so we had to go to Lvov. There we bribed the house-
manager (which was "unofficially legal") and bought a good flat from the
Poles.
We returned from evacuation in 1945. We wanted to go to Kiev, but
could not get there. Our uncle helped us go to Donetsk. Then I went to Kiev
to study at the Institute, but we could not get our flat back, so we had to
move to Lvov.
could not get there. Our uncle helped us go to Donetsk. Then I went to Kiev
to study at the Institute, but we could not get our flat back, so we had to
move to Lvov.
Then life became better. A gold-digging artel (Editor's note: a
workers' cooperative, probably a state-owned company) was set up, and my
father received sugar and even oil. Then I finished school and started work
at the local kindergarten. Later, I attended Sverdlovsk University. Later,
my father found a job in Sverdlovsk, and while I lived in a dormitory, my
parents rented a part of a room.
workers' cooperative, probably a state-owned company) was set up, and my
father received sugar and even oil. Then I finished school and started work
at the local kindergarten. Later, I attended Sverdlovsk University. Later,
my father found a job in Sverdlovsk, and while I lived in a dormitory, my
parents rented a part of a room.
But we received skimpy soup and a
tiny roll (for cards). Once we learned that nobody ate that soup, so we
brought cans and took all the remaining soup home. We ate it all, but our
classmates misunderstood us; there was even an article in the paper that we
took all the soup left in the school. We stayed with another family. They
had food, flour, potatoes. So, their small children would open our doors
and shout: "Our mother is cooking ravioli today! And we won't give you
any!" We remembered this for a long time. My father was given potatoes,
which we baked, boiled, and fried.
tiny roll (for cards). Once we learned that nobody ate that soup, so we
brought cans and took all the remaining soup home. We ate it all, but our
classmates misunderstood us; there was even an article in the paper that we
took all the soup left in the school. We stayed with another family. They
had food, flour, potatoes. So, their small children would open our doors
and shout: "Our mother is cooking ravioli today! And we won't give you
any!" We remembered this for a long time. My father was given potatoes,
which we baked, boiled, and fried.
In Sverdlovsk I went to school. There were three evacuated girls in
my class: one from Leningrad, one from Moscow, and me. Two of us were
Jewish, one was Russian. The father of the girl from Leningrad was chief of
the Diamond Party and they lived well.
my class: one from Leningrad, one from Moscow, and me. Two of us were
Jewish, one was Russian. The father of the girl from Leningrad was chief of
the Diamond Party and they lived well.
To all his children grandfather gave a secular education. I don't know
how to explain it, but none of his children was religious. My mother had
very poor knowledge of Yiddish; she knew very little, enough only to talk
to her parents.
how to explain it, but none of his children was religious. My mother had
very poor knowledge of Yiddish; she knew very little, enough only to talk
to her parents.
In the
beginning it was very hard. We had no food but bread purchased with bread
cards. There was a canteen, but only workers of that company were allowed
to eat there. So, my father would go first to the canteen (he had a pass),
and if the waitress was kind, she would leave his pass untouched, then I
had a chance to use the same pass, then my mother. But if they marked the
pass, my mother and I remained hungry.
beginning it was very hard. We had no food but bread purchased with bread
cards. There was a canteen, but only workers of that company were allowed
to eat there. So, my father would go first to the canteen (he had a pass),
and if the waitress was kind, she would leave his pass untouched, then I
had a chance to use the same pass, then my mother. But if they marked the
pass, my mother and I remained hungry.
My father first went to Chelyabinsk and then to Sverdlovsk. There he
found a job at the Urals Gold Trust Company; it was in a district full of
gold and platinum. Later he took my mother and me from that village, and we
lived in the village at the gold field, 250 km from Sverdlovsk.
found a job at the Urals Gold Trust Company; it was in a district full of
gold and platinum. Later he took my mother and me from that village, and we
lived in the village at the gold field, 250 km from Sverdlovsk.
, Russia
In general, our landlords used the word "kike" all the time. But when
we told them we were "kikes", they did not believe us. They said, "No, how
can you be kikes? All kikes are red!
we told them we were "kikes", they did not believe us. They said, "No, how
can you be kikes? All kikes are red!
My mother and I were settled at one house, my aunt and cousin at
another. My mother and I slept in one bed. I remember well that we had a
samovar and drank tea all the time - without sugar, and practically without
tea enough for one brew, but we could drink ten glasses of that. People
also had lice, excuse me. There was a special comb to comb them out. I also
had lice for some time.
another. My mother and I slept in one bed. I remember well that we had a
samovar and drank tea all the time - without sugar, and practically without
tea enough for one brew, but we could drink ten glasses of that. People
also had lice, excuse me. There was a special comb to comb them out. I also
had lice for some time.
At the collective farm we
were ordered to do the heaviest work possible. In general, all women worked
that way, but we came from a city and we were not used to such work.
were ordered to do the heaviest work possible. In general, all women worked
that way, but we came from a city and we were not used to such work.