"Each story is told by the survivor and feels as if you are listening to him/her recount this part of his/her life." from a review by Yael Weinstock Mashbaum in The International School for Holocaust Studies, Yad Vashem
This anthology of moving personal narratives, edited by Solomon Abramovich and Yakov Zilberg, is comprised of fifty entries. Most entries were written by one survivor. A few were written by married couples, siblings, and close friends. They are of varying lengths, from about two to twenty pages. Many include family photos and photos of interesting documents. A number of photos include unidentified ghetto neighbors and some are of Lithuanian rescuers.
Although not written by experienced writers, the stories have an immediacy that is captivating in their horror. Each story is grounded in the specificity of an individual’s unique set of circumstances, but as a group it’s easy to generalize about their collective trauma: The writers, children born in the 1930’s and 40’s, were smuggled out of the ghetto and went to live with Lithuanians their families knew or others contacted on their behalf. All children had to take on new identities. Their caretakers had to recite fictitious stories about who the parents of these children were to neighbors and inquiring officials. Those children who spoke Yiddish had to be trained not to, and they also had to be taught to be wary of prying neighbors and men in uniform. Many were moved from one home to another when their caretakers became concerned that they had been or might be identified as Jewish.
Jewish children who were blonde and blue-eyed, and boys who were not circumcised were easier to place. Siblings were often split up. Parents or other close relatives often made dangerous, tearful, clandestine visits. At the end of the war, sometimes a few years afterwards, when parents were released from concentration camps and hospitals, a parent or another relative returning to retrieve a hidden child was sometimes met with stonewalling by the caretaker or by the thoroughly confused child. Many waited for parents who never returned and were brought up in orphanages, or if they were lucky, were adopted by relatives. Some of the children were hard to trace because they had false identities and they didn’t know what their real names were. Some were re-connected to relatives when they were adults.
A number of the writers discuss how they felt when asked to write a piece for this anthology. Some had repressed their memories and thought they remembered little or nothing. Others had very vivid, terrifying memories but had never talked about them. Because of a concerted effort not to look backward but to look forward, there was a tendency to bury the painful past, and some of the survivors did not even know that some of their friends and professional colleagues had also been hidden children in the Kaunas ghetto.
It seems that each writer was given guidelines because most entries cover many of the same topics. They each give a brief family history including the countries and towns where their families were from, they detail what they know about how their family members and friends were killed, they give credit to those relatives and friends who helped them survive in the ghetto and to those who helped them escape. Some mention that they were sorry that they hadn’t asked more questions of relatives now deceased. Toward the end of the entries they summarize their post-Holocaust life: where they settled, and what they did professionally and personally. They also write about their rescuers and whether or not they kept in touch with them. They cite which ones were honored by Yad VaShem or the Lithuanian government for putting their own lives at risk to hide Jewish children. Most of the writers in this volume eventually immigrated to Israel.
This anthology includes a short forward that explains how this collection came to be. It also includes a very readable, informative thirty-six page history called “Origins of Jewish Lithuania” written by the two editors that has photographs and maps and end notes citing sources. At the end of the volume there is a Bibliography and an Index.
Below is a listing of the names that appear in the fifty entries as well as the places that are mentioned that are where family lived outside of Lithuania before, after and during the war. Some names appear in more than one entry. For example, the writer of one entry might mention a friend or a relative who also has written an entry. Most Jews in the Kovna ghetto had lived in the suburb of Slobodka (Vilijampole). According to the book's forward only 250 to 300 children of the Kovna Ghetto survived out of approximately 5000. In general, the women who survived were deported to Stutthof, the men to Dachau. Towns in Lithuania as well as the concentration camps are not listed in each separate entry.
People
1. Ariela Abramovich Sef
Family
Shlomo-Icik Abramovich – married to Sira
Yakov Abramovich – son of Shlomo-Icik and Sira; married to Bronia (Bracha) Maizel
Ariela Abramovich – daughter of Yakov and Bronia; married Roman Sef (2nd husband); (author)
Solomon Abramovich – son of Yakov and Bronia
Beno Abramovich – son of Shlomo-Icik and Sira
Ruvim Abramovich – son of Shlomo-Icik and Sira; married to Basia
Borya and Myriam Abramovich – children of Ruvim and Basia
Max Abramovich – son of Schlomo-Icik and Sira
Rivotchka and Boris Abramovich – children of Max
Rebeca Abramovich Griliches – daughter of Shlomo-Icik and Sira
Nyonya Abramovich – son of Shlomo-Icik and Sira; married Lily
Anya Abramovich – daughter of Nyonya and Lily
Berta Maizel
Bronia (Bracha Maizel) – married to Yakov Abramovich (see above)
Josef – cousin of Ariela Abramovich Sef (exact relationship not clear)
Friends and Acquaintances
Jacob Rabinovich
Beba and Veva Mintz – brothers
Shimon Ratner
B. Zacherin
A. Zilberg
Elena Hackelis
Places
Canada
Israel
England
2. Ilana Kamber-Ash
People Family
Marcus Kamber – married Judith Moses
Ilana Kamber – daughter of Marcus and Judith; married Pavel Ash; (author)
Aaron (Arik) and Judish (Dita) Ash – children of Ilana and Pavel
Eliezer Moses – brother of Judith (see above)
Friends and Acquaintances
Maxim and Erica Levin
Elkhanan Elkes
Yoel and Sara Elkes
Places
Israel
London, England
Moscow, Russia
3. Rona Rozental-Zinger
People
Family
Schmuel Rozental – married Rone Schmuilove
Leo Rozental – son of Schmuel and Rone
Rona Rozental Zinger – daughter of Rone and Schmuel; (author)
Oscher Schmuilov – married Gitel
Eli Schmuilov – son of Oscher and Gitel; married Chaja Glushakaite
Lusi Schmuilov – daughter of Eli and Chaja
Rone Schmuilove – daughter of Oscher and Gitel; married Schmuel Rozental (see above)
Friends and Acquaintances
Pese Karnauskaite Musel
Places
Melbourne, Australia
Israel
4. Yakov Zoreff (Goldshmidt)
People
Family
Haim-Shimon Goldschmidt – married Sara Poger
Hirsh Goldshmidt – son of Haim-Shimon and Sara
Malka Goldshmidt – daughter of Haim-Shimon and Sara; married to Berl Zinger
Cilia Zinger- daughter of Malka and Berl
Icale Goldschmidt – daughter (?) of Haim-Shimon and Sara
Bella Goldschmidt – daughter of Haim-Simon and Sara
Gita Goldschmidt – daughter of Haim-Simon and Sara
Meir-Lev (Leib) Goldschmidt – son of Haim-Shimon and Sara; married Sonia Burko; second wife was Yocheved Burko
Yakov Zoreff (Goldschmidt) – son of Meir-Lev and Sonia (author)
Asia (Osnat) Goldschmidt – son of Haim-Shimon and Sara
Abraam Goldschmidt – son of Haim-Simon and Sara
Gershon Burko – married Roza
Sonia Burko – daughter of Gershon and Roza; married Meir-Lev Goldschmidt (see above)
Yulia (Judith) Burko – daughter of Gershon and Roza
Yocheved Burko – daughter of Gershon and Roza (see above)
Friends and Acquaintances
Juda (Judke) Zupovich
Izia Rabinowich
Schmuel and Rone Rosental
Sarale Katz
Alia Ranzuk
Places
Holon Bat Yam, Israel
5. Yakov Zilberg
People
Family
Abram (Abrasha) Zilberg – married Sonia Elitzur
Mina Zilberg – daughter of Abram and Sonia
Yakov Zilberg – son of Abram and Sonia (author)
Dalia and Yael Zilberg – daughters of Yakov
Solomon Elitzur
Sonia Elitzur – daughter of Solomon; wife of Abram Zilberg (see above); common-law relationship with Naom Shafransky
Anuita Elitzur – daughter of Solomon
Mirale – daughter of Anuita
Naom Shafransky – married to Genia; second common law marriage to Sonia Zilberg (see above)
Rouven (Ruvik) Shafransky – son of Naom and Genia
Salomea (Saly) Shaftransky – daughter of Naom and Sonia
Friends and Acquaintances
S. Zaidelson
B. Preis
Yulia Yoffe
Lyda Yoffe – daughter of Yulia
Places
Kibbutz Sde Nachum
Kfar Sava
Israel
6. Benya Chaitas
People
Family
Leibe Chaitas – married Genia Saitovich
Benya Chaitas – son of Leibe and Genia; married Sara Zaczepinski; author
Zalman Chaitis – brother of Leibe; married to Sara
Sarah Saitovich – sister of Genia; married to Gershon Oshri
Berl Shpak – married to Sara (cousin of Genia Saitovich (relationship not clear)
Boris Shpak – son of Berl and Sara
Friends and Acquaintances
Shmuel Peipert
Places
Bat Yam, Israel
Haifa, Israel
7. Irena Aronovsky-Voschina-Savir
People
Family
Leon (Liola) Aronovsky – married Gabriella (Ela) Sabovska
Irena Arnovsky-Voschina-Savir – daughter of Leon and Gabriella (author)
Abrasha Aronovsky – brother of Leon
Baruch (Boria) Voschin – married Gabriella Sabovska (her 2nd marriage; see above)
Friends and Acquaintances
Natan Nabrisky
Places
London, England
Rehovot, Israel
8. Sara Gillman-Plamm
People
Family
Berl and Nessia Gillman
Moshe Gillman – son of Berl and Nessie; married Sheina Codikovaite
Sara Gillman Plamm – daughter of Moshe and Sheina; author
Naomi and Lev Plamm children of Sara and ?
Liuba Gillman – daughter of Moshe and Sheina
David Gillman – son of Moshe and Sheina
Lebale Gillman – son of Berl and Nessie
Friends and Acquaintances
Frida Glazman
Yulia Meltz
Shalom Eilati
Places
Israel
Toronto, Canada
9. Michael (Misha) Langevich
People
Family
Misha Langevich – married Haviva (Hinda) Korabelnik; author
Michael (Misha) Langevich – son of Misha and Haviva; married Polina
Arnon Langevich – son of Michael and Polina
Shijus Langevich – brother of Misha; married Sarra
Juda Langevich – brother of Misha and Shijus
Fivel Korabelnik – father of Hinda (see above)
Friends and Acquaintances
Shmuel and Hava Shilkiner
Keila Kudrika
Places
Kiriat Ono, Israel
10.Yulia Meltz-Beilinson
People
Family
Meir Meltz – married Henya Krubelnik
Yulia Meltz – daughter of Meir and Henya; author
Friends and Acquaintances
Tanchum Arnstam
Orchik Keltz
Sara Libmanaite
Aaron Barak (Brik)
Yankel Lipavski
Places
Israel
Tel Aviv, Israel
11. Aviva Tkatsch (Thatch)-Sandler
People
Family
Leib and Rhoda Tkatsch
Isaac Tkatsch – son of Leib and Rhoda
Moshe Tkatsch – son of Leib and Rhoda
Peshele (Polina) Tkatsch-Davidson – daughter of Moshe
Sara Tkatsch – daughter of Leib and Rhoda
Benesh Tkatsch – son of Leib and Rhoda; married Riva Makielevich
Aviva Tkatsch –daughter of Benesh and Riva; married Robert Sandler (author)
Rhoda Tkatsch – daughter of Benesh and Riva
Leonard (Leib) Tkatsch – son of Benesh and Riva
Pesach Tkatsch – son of Leib and Rhoda
Isaac Makielevich – married Emma Efron
Riva Makielevich – daughter of Isaac and Emma; married Benesh Tkatsch (see above)
Shmuel Makielevich – son of Isaac and Emma
Places
Mexico
Munich, Germany
Detroit, Michigan
12. Ruth Bass-Glikman
People
Family
Chaim Bass
Leiba Bass – son of Chaim; married Tirca Galperin
Eliezer Bass – son of Leiba and Tirca
Ruth Bass – daughter of Leiba and Tirca; married Leon Glikman; author
Judith Bass – daughter of Chaim
Sonia Bass – daughter of Chaim
Miriam Borovsky Galperin
Tirca Galperin (see above)
David and Chaya Markovsky (Markauskiene) – adoptive parents of Ruth Bass
Rosa and Dalia Markovsky – daughters of David and Chaya
Friends and Acquaintances
Natan Nabrisky
Grisha Mendelbraut
Eta and Mitia Ginkas
Places
Israel
Tel Aviv, Israel
13. Sara Levin-Burmenko
People
Family
Shmuel Kriger – married Sarah
Sonia Kriger – daughter of Shmuel and Sarah; married Leibl Levin; 2nd husband Saul Burstein
Sara Levin – daughter of Sonia and Leibl; married Mark Burmenko; author
Moshe – son of Sonia and Saul
Lena Kriger – daughter of Shmuel and Sarah; married Kolya Stonys
Ruta, Saulius, and Meta Stonys – children of Lena and Kolya
Isaac Levin – married Fruma
Leibl Levin – son of Isaac and Fruma (see above)
Places
Odessa, Russian Empire
Kiev, Russian Empire
Israel
New York
14. Rieta Volpert-Lesokhin
People
Family
David Volpert – married Ida Gurvich
Rieta Volpert – daughter of David and Ida; married Yuri Lesokhin; author
Misha Volpert – brother of David; married Mira
Lionia and Zhenia – twin children of Misha and Mira
Izya Rosenblum – uncle of author (exact relationship not clear)
Liolik – son of Izya
Sasha and Vera Rosenblum – relatives of author (exact relationship not clear)
Ela – daughter of Sasha and Vera
Aleksander (Vava) Rosenblum – cousin of author (exact relationship not clear)
Anna (Niuta) Beilinson – aunt of author (exact relationship not clear)
Yakov and Pavel Beilinson – sons of Niuta
Friends and Acquaintances
Misha Kopelman
Alik Pertzikovitz
Masha Gocaite
Alik Peretz (possibly the same as Alik Pertzikovitz?)
Places
USA
Siberia
Haifa, Israel
Soviet Union
15. Rivka Feller-Milner
People
Family
Leib Feller – married Sara
Aaron Feller – married Berta Neiman
Rivka Feller – daughter of Aaron and Berta; author
Aviva Feller – daughter of Aaron and Berta
Dvora Feller – married Yehuda Kaufman
Altala Kaufman – daughter of Dvora and Yehuda
Noah Neiman – brother of Berta (see above)
Friends and Acquaintances
Henale Kuchinka
Mirka Kuchinka – sister of Henale
Fira Gurfinkel
Places
Netanya, Israel
16. Polina Tkatsch-Davidson
People
Family
Moshe Tkatsch – married Dora Levinsky
Polina Tkatsch – daughter of Moshe and Dora; author
Pesach Tkatsch – brother of Moshe
Benesh Tkatsch – brother of Moshe
Aviva Tkatsch – daughter of Benesh
Places
Palestine
Netanya, Israel
17. Rachel (Lialia) Blumenthal
People
Family
Theodor (Teddy) Blumenthal married Ester (Esia) Sandler
Rachel (Liala) Blumenthal – daughter of Theodor and Ester; author
Adolph Blumenthal – brother of Theodor
Kolya – son of Adolph
Boris Blumenthal – brother of Theodor
Rafoel Sandler – married Cerne-Beile Sandler
Ester (Esia) Sandler – married Theodor Blumenthal (see above)
Rachel (Liala) Blumenthal – daughter of Ester and Theodor (author)
Gita Sandler – daughter of Rafoel and Cerne-Beile; married Grisha Karnovsky
Mika (Mitchka) Karnovsky – daughter of Gita and Grisha
Lyka (Lea) Sandler – daughter of Rafoel and Cerne-Beile
Samuel Kapit – author’s uncle (exact relationship unclear)
Friends and Acquaintances
Carmela Heibron and her sister Renata
Liola Aronovsky
Judith (Judica) Kamber
Marcus (Mendke) Kamber
Places
Israel
Switzerland
18. Bluma Alkanovich (Tolochkiene), Alik Abramovich, and Frida Glazman Abramovich
People
Family
Mendel Alkanovich – married Risa Melamed
Bluma Alkanovich – daughter of Mendel and Risa (author)
Frida Alkanovich – daughter of Mendel and Risa
Mina Melamed – sister of Risa (see above); married Cvaina Beider
Chaim Olef (Alek) and David Melamed – sons of Mina and Cvaina
Shlomo Abramovich – married Feige Kulbak
Alik Abramovich – son of Shlomo and Feige (see above); married Frida Glazman (author)
Shlomo (Solomon) Abramovich – son of Alik and Frida
Feige Abramovich – 2nd marriage (common law?) to Naum Meriesh (see above; cousin of Mendel Alkanovich exact relationship not clear)
Shlomo Glazman – married Katia (Kuna) Kranik
Frida Glazman – daughter of Shlomo and Katia; married Alik Abramovich (see above)
Friends and Acquaintances
Yakov, Matias and Riva Taft (siblings)
Chaim Elin
Yankale Levy
Ilana Kamber
Mike Karnovsky
Sara Levin
Lyusya Borstaite
Aaron Frank
Places
Ramat Gan, Israel
19. Pesah (Petya) Joselevich
People
Family
Shimon Joselevich – married Lea Shames
Chana Joselevish – daughter of Shimon and Lea
Pesah Joselevich – son of Shimon and Lea; married Via Israelyte; author
David Joselevich – brother of Shimon
Masha Joselevich – sister of Shimon; married Bentsel Garunas
Hirsch Garunas – son of Masha and Bentsel; married to Lyuba
Masha Garunas Brener – daughter of Hirsch and Lyuba
Meir (Meika) Joselevich – son of Masha and Bentsel
Moshe Joselevich – brother of Shimon
Yehuda Edelman – distant relative of Lea Shames; nephew of Rabbi Soleveichik in US
Friends and Acquaintances
Faige and Pranas Vocelka
Places
Israel
Kiryat Sefer, Israel
Hulon, Israel
20. Yaakov Taft
People
Family
Leib and Hanna Taft
Yaakov Taft – son of Leib and Hanna; married Shulamith; author
Matetiahu (Matias) and Riva Taft – children of Leib’s brother and Hanna’s sister
Friends and Acquaintances
Moshe Parasonis – married to Rina Joels
Gidon Sheftel
Places
Canada
Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
21. Rosian Bagriansky-Zerner
People
Family
Solomon and Amalia Bagriansky
Paul Bagriansky – son of Solomon and Amalia; married Gerta Chason
Rosian Bagriansky Zerner – daughter of Paul and Gerta; author
Julius (Judel) and Anna Chason
Bella Chason – daughter of Julius and Anna
Henia Chason – daughter of Julius and Anna
Fredy Chason – son of Julius and Anna
Gerta Chason – daughter of Julius and Anna (see above)
Friends and Acquaintances
Rivka Shmukler Oshorovich
Jacob Gens
Places
Latvia
Konigsberg, Germany
Palestine
Milan, Italy
Newton, Massachusetts, USA
22. Liuba (Lyusya) Borstaite
People
Family
Friedrich Borst – married Lea Nemanuncaite
Ida Borst – daughter of Friedrich and Lea; married Benya Zhemaitis
Leon (Arie) Borst – son of Friedrich and Lea
Frida Borst – daughter of Friedrich and Lea
Lyusya Borst (Borstaite) – daughter of Friedrich and Lea; author
Chaya Rachoviciene – aunt of author (exact relationship unclear)
Rachel and Riva Rachoviciene – daughters of Chaya
Places
Israel
23. Estera Elinaite
People
Family
Leiseris Elinas
Mejeris Elinas – son of Leiseris; married Busia Kormanaite
Estera Elinaite (Esther Yellin); author
Ilana Yellin – daughter of Estera; married Valery Panov
Tslil Meir Panov – son of Ilana and Valery
Chaim Elinas (Yellin) – son of Leiseris
Benjaminas Kormanas
Busia Kormanaite – daughter of Benjaminas
Places
Moscow
Israel
24. Hasia Aronaite-Gitlin and Volodia Katz
People
Family
Chaim Aronas – married to Michle Katz; 2nd wife Malka
Hasia Aronaite – daughter of Chaim and Michle; married Jakov Gitlin; author
Motele Aronas – son of Chaim and Michle
Moshe Aronas – brother of Chaim
Yosef Katz – brother of Michle (see above); married to Hanah
Cilia Katz – daughter of Michle and Hanah
Volodia Katz – son of Michle and Hanah
Sonia and Riva – aunts of author (exact relationship not clear)
Ida Shapiriene – aunt of Volodia Katz (see above)
Folia Shapiris – son of Ida
Places
Israel
Ashdod, Israel
25. Ilya Levy and Tamara Ratneryte-Kadishaite-Levy
People
Family
Shmuel-Yaakov (Yankele) Levy – married to Sheina Baron
Ilya Levy – son of Shmuel-Yaakov and Sheina; married to Tamara Ratneryte-Kadishaite (authors)
Rafael and Asia – children of Ilya and Tamara
Yakov Bloch – 2nd husband of Sheina Baron
Masha – daughter of Yakov and Sheina; half-sister to Ilya Levy
Shimon Ratner – married Judesa Zeigarnik
Rut Ratner – daughter of Shimon and Judesa
Tamara Ratneryte – daughter of Shimon and Judesa; married Ilya Levy (see above)
Dov Alroy (Zeigarnik) – maternal cousin of author; exact relationship unclear
Friends and Acquaintances
Israella Blat
Liba – sister of Israella
Ida Shatereine
Ruth Ben David
Malka Pogotsky
Dora and Abraham Kadishas – adopted Tamara Ratneryte (author)
Liolia Aizinbud
Shlomo Abramovich
Places
Palestine
Kibbutz Masarik
Kfar Sava, Israel
26. Ada Feldstein-Levner
People
Family
Tzemach Feldstein
Lev Feldstein – son of Tzemach; married Sara Aronovsky
Ada Feldstein – daughter of Lev; married Hertz (Edik) Levner; author
Lev(Ari) and Daniel Levner – sons of Ada and Hertz
Esther Aronovsky
Liolia Aronvsky – son of Esther
Sara Aronovsky – daughter of Esther (see above)
Meir Levner – married Frida Melnikaite
Hertz Levner – son of Meir and Frida (see above)
Places
Netanya, Israel
Toronto, Canada
27. Ahuva (Liuva) Peres-Gold and Shalom Peres
People
Family
Eliezer (Lazer) Peres – married Shulia Budnik
Shalom Peres – son of Eliezer and Shulia; married Alexandra; author
Amos and Belinda Peres – children of Shalom and Alexandra
Ahuva Peres – daughter of Eliezer and Shulia; married Shmuel Gold; author
Ziv Gold – son of Ahuva and Shmuel
Nesia (Nehmod) Peres – sister of Shulia
Places
Poland
Montreal, Canada
Haifa, Israel
28. Rivka Shlapobersky-Strichman
People
Family
Eliyahu Meir Feivelson
Feige Feivelson – daughter of Eliyahu; married Eliyahu Shlapobersky
Rivka Shlapobersky – daughter of Feige and Eliyahu; marriedYakov Strichman; author
Liora and Eliran Strichman – children of Rivka and Yakov
Eliyahu Shlapobersky – married Feige Feivelson (see above)
Harry Shlapobersky – brother of Eliyahu
Rachel Shlapobersky Levin – sister of Eliyahu; married Jermiyahu Ratner
Friends and Acquiantances
Shmuel Peipert
Sara Weis
Yehuda and Chaim Ronder - brothers
Places
Poland
South Africa
Haifa, Israel
29. Dan Vaintraub
People
Family
Haim Vaintraub – married Helena Girshovich
Dan Vaintraub – son of Haim and Helena; author
Idan and Karin – grandchildren of Dan
Itimar and Abigail – cousins of Dan Vaintraub (exact relationship unclear); adopted by Haim and Helena
Places
Tel Aviv, Israel
30. Maya Shochataite-Davidow
People
Family
Moshe and Golda Shohat
Yitzhak Shohat – son of Moshe and Golda
Nachum (Naum) Shohat – son of Moshe and Golda; married Masha Balin
Maya Shochataite – daughter of Nachum and Masha; married Kalman Davidov; author
Eliahu Balin
Masha Balin – daughter of Eliahu (see above)
Faivele Balin – son of Eliahu
Rachel Balin – daughter of Eliahu; married David Rubenstein
Places
New York, New York
Tel Aviv, Israel
Haifa, Israel
Israel
31, Mina Stein-Wulf
People
Family
Hirsch Stein
Raya Stein –daughter of Hirsch; married Max Stein
Izana Stein Levit – daughter of Raya and Max
Mina (Manuela) Stein Wulf – daughter to Ray and Max; author
Noa – granddaughter of Mina
Adela Stein – daughter of Hirsh
Leolia Stein – son of Hirsch; married to Bunya
Mina Stein – daughter of Leolia; married Filip Kotkes
Max Stein – son of Hirsch; married Lea
Arie (Arik) Stein – son of Max and Lea
David Stein – son of Hirsch
Vera Stein - married Vulia (Wolf) Peper; aunt of author (exact relationship unclear)
Anya Langleben Koc – aunt of author (exact relationship unclear)
Rebecca Stein – sister of Max Stein (author’s father)
Friends and Acquaintances
Anya Levinson
Tanchum Arnstam
Nosen and Musya Levit
Places
Moscow, Soviet Union
Raanana, Israel
Israel
32. Lilit (Lyda) Yoffe-Davidson
People
Family
Leiser Yoffe – married Yulia Segal
Lyda (Lilit) Yoffe Davidson – daughter of Leiser and Yulia; author
Place
Palestine
Jerusalem, Israel
Poland
33. Boris Dvogovsky
People
Family
Baruch and Chaya Kweskin
Riva Kweskin – daughter of Baruch and Chaya; married Moshe Dvogovsky
Boris Dvogovsky – son of Riva and Moshe; author
Fruma Dvogovsky – daughter of Riva and Moshe
Benishke Kweskin – son of Baruch and Chaya
Places
Bat Yam, Israel
Israel
35. Julius Neumark
People
Family
Leon (Leib) Neumark – married Pauline (Pesa) Grossman (2nd wife)
Philipp (Shraga) Neumark – son of Leib and Pesa; married Gisela (Gittel) Neumann
Julius Neumark – son of Shraga and Gittel; author
Places
Vienna, Austria
35. Moisejus (Mika) Rosenblum
People
Family
Moisei Rosenblum – married Raya Kenigsberg
Anatolij Rosenblum – son of Moisei and Raya
Moisejus (Mika) Rosenblum – son of Anatolij; author
Friends and Acquaintances
Avraham Tory
Mikhail Kopelman – married Evgeniya Gidoni
Places
Ashdod, Israel
36. Mika (Michka) Karnovsky-Ash
People
Family
Anna Osipovna Karnovsky
Grigorij Karnovsky – son of Anna; married Gita Sandler
Mika (Michka) Karnovsky – daughter of Grigorij and Gita; married Josef Ash; author
Viki, Bela, Uri, and Giora Ash – children of Mika and Josef
Nina Karnovsky – daughter of Anna; married to Yakov (Kuba) Gudinsky
Rina Gudinsky – daughter of Nina and Yakov
Otto Karnovsky – adopted son of Anna
Rafoel Sandler – married to Cerna-Beile
Ester Sandler – married to and divorced from Teddy Blumenthal
Rachel Blumenthal Josef – daughter of Ester and Teddy
Gita Sandler – married Grigorij Karnovsky (see above)
Lea and Yehuda – maternal aunt and uncle of author (exact relationships unclear)
Friends and Acquaintance
Muki Rabinovich
Mendel Kamber
Ilana Kamber – Mendel’s daughter
Places
Siberia
Riga, Latvia
Australia
Kiron, Israel
37. Josef and Aviva Gilis
People
Family
Pesiah Gilis
Girsh Gilis – son of Pesiah; married Chana Levner
Pesia Gilis – son of Girsh and Chana
Izya Gilis – son of Girsh and Chana
Josef Gilis – son of Girsh and Chana; married Aviva Feller; authors
Simona Gilis – daughter of Josef and Aviva
Moshe Levner – married to Simha
Chana Levner – daughter of Moshe and Simha (see above)
Meir Levner – son of Moshe and Simha
Edik Levner – son of Meir
Henekh Levner – son of Moshe and Simha
Riva Levner – married to Zalman Baikovich
Shulamith Baikovich – daughter of Riva and Zalman
Haim Levner – son of Moshe and Simha
Places
Netanya, Israel
38. Rina Joels Parason
People
Family
Shlomo Joels
Malka Joels – daughter of Shlomo
Shmuel Joels – brother of Shlomo; married Hanah
Riva Joels Knobel
Benjamin Joels – brother of Shlomo: married Malka Kaplan
Bella Joels Tal – daughter of Benjamin and Malka
Rina Joels – daughter of Benjamin and Malka; married Moshe Parason; author
Reuven and Berta Kaplan – siblings (?) of Malka Kaplan (unclear if they are siblings or a couple; (see above)
Friends and Acquaintances
Shlomo Yarmovski
George (Hirsh) Kadushin
Places
Zurich, Switerland
Soviet Union
Israel
Haifa, Israel
39. Maxim Broyeris, Alik (Peretz) Dvoretz, Genia Kaltinovsky-Zalishansky, and Masha Muller-Hathskelson
People
Family
Leiser and Beila Ring
Reizel Ring – daughter of Leiser and Beila; married Sleime Broyeris
Ilya Broyeris – son of Reizel and Sleime
Maxim Broyeris – son of Reizel and Sleime; married Salia Bychovsky; author
Yosef Dvoretz
Shimon Dvoretz – son of Yosef; married Chaya Pen
Peretz (Alik) Dvoretz – son of Shimon and Chaya; married Guta Vinnickaya; author
Michael Kaltinovsky – married Feiga Yoffe
Genia Kaltinovsky – daughter of Michael and Feige; married Josef Zalishansky; author
David and Daniel Zalishansky – sons of Genia and Josef
Rachael Kaltinovsky – sister of Michael
Lea Yoffe – sister of Feiga (see above)
Aaron Muller – married Hannah Fisher
Masha Muller – daughter of Aaron and Hannah; married Lev Hathskelzon; author
Friends and Acquaintances
Moshe Dvogovsky
Boris Dvogovsky – son of Moshe
Reiza Galah-Zisman
Places
Or Yehuda, Israel
Nes Ziona, Israel
Beer Sheva, Israel
Israel
Denmark
Russia
40. Dalia Hofmekler-Ginsburg
People
Family
Motl (Mordekhai) Hofmekler – married Berta Blinder Stupel
Michail Hofmekler – son of Motl and Berta; married Perele Radjunski
Dalia Hofmekler – daughter of Michail and Perele; married Dova Ginzburg; author
Einat Ginzburg – daughter of Dalia and Dova
Ruven Hofmekler – son of Motl and Berta
Leib (Arie) Radjunski – married Zelda Arulianski
Perele Radjunski – married Michail Hofmekler (see above)
Katia Segalson – cousin of author; exact relationship unclear
Sima and Lyuba Verzhbovsky – cousins of author’s mother (exact relationship unclear)
Friends and Family
Chana Brava
Shalom Kaplan (Eilati) - see separate entry for Shalom Eilati memoir
Places
Germany
The United States
Ashdod, Israel
41. Kata Segalson-Rosen
People
Family
Leib Segalson – married Chaya Svojatitzki
Moses (Misha) Segalson – son of Leib and Chaya; married Chaya (Raya) Arulianski; 2nd marriage to Jenia Ginsberg Segal
Liusik Sagalson – son of Misha and Chaya
Katia (Kelly, Carmela) Segalson – daughter of Misha and Chaya; married Dan Rosen; author
Osnat and Raya Rosen – daughters of Katia and Dan
Maya – granddaughter of author (exact relationship unclear)
Jacob Segalson - son Leib and Chaya; married Liuba
Liova, Genia, and Vova Segalson – children of Jacob and Liuba
Samuel Sagelson – son of Misha and Chaya; married to Raya
Altochke Segalson Maliacki – daughter of Leib and Chaya
Lialia Maliacki – daughter of Altochke
Liusik and Chone – nephews of Misha Segalson (exact relationship unclear)
Iliusha Segalson – cousin of Misha Segalson (exact relationship unclear)
Ovadia Jochelson – cousin of Misha Sagelson (exact relationship not clear)
Kopel Arulianski – married Taibe Shachnovitz
Chaya Arulianski – daughter of Kopel and Taibe; married Misha Segalson (see above)
Frida Arulianski – daughter of Kopel and Taibe
Luba Arulianski – daughter of Kopel and Taibe
Dokik Arulianski – son of Kopel and Taibe; married Ira Gurwitz
Misha and Perale Hofmekler - Perele was cousin of author’s mother ( exact relationship unclear)
Dalia Hofmekler – daughter of Misha and Perale
Friends and Acquaintances
Aharon and Raya Pertzikovitz
Alik Pertzikovitz (Peretz) – son of Aharon and Raya
Enta Berger – sister-in-law to Aharon and Ray Perzikovitz (exact relationship unclear)
Davik and Zina Berger – children of Enta
Aya Sauberblat
Miron – son of Aya
Anna Rosenbaum Millner
Bubi and Lilly Rosenbaum – children of Anna
Fruma Vitkin Kuchinskiene
Chone and Katia Lipshitz
Helene Holzman
Hanna Brava
Abraham Klausner
Places
South Africa
Helsinki, Finland
Lodz, Poland
Munich, Germany
USA
Soviet Union
42. Ariana and Rut Jed
People
Family
Aaron Jed
Motl Jud – son of Aaron
Meir Jud – son of Aaron; married Edna Fuks; married Asya (2nd wife)
Rut (Ruth) Jed – daughter of Meir and Edna; author
Ariana Jed – daughter of Meir and Edna; author
Ester Jud – daughter of Aaron
Gerta Fuks – sister of Edna Fuks (see above)
Places
Germany
Israel
Petah-Tikvah, Israel
43. Gidon Sheftel
People
Family
Aharon Dambe – married Chaviva Libaite
Gidon Dambe Sheftel – son of Aharon and Chaviva; married Shulamith Levin; author
Arik, Alon, and Miri Sheftel – children of Gidon and Shalamith
Yakov Sheftel – married Chaviva Libaite (her 2nd marriage)
Sarah Sheftel – daughter of Yakov and Chaviva
Friends and Acquaintances
Yakov Levin
Places
Russia
Kfar Sava, Israel
Israel
44. Aharon Avidonis
People
Family
Rouven and Malka Avidonis
Aharon Avidonis – adopted son of Rouven and Malka; author
Places
Haifa, Israel
45. Rina Badesh
People
Family
Ishak Badesh – married Sonya Kalmansky
Izya Badesh – son of Ishak and Sonya
Rina Badesh – son of Ishak and Sonya; married Wolf (Zeev) Sharas; author
Hiena Badesh – sister of Ishak; married Simha Labensky
Yankele Kalmansky – brother of Sonya
Friends and Acquaintances
Dvorale Murin
Ema Shtok – aunt of author (exact relationship unclear)
Places
Germany
Kiryat Ono
46. Gita German-Gordon-Frances
People
Family
Yona German – married Fruma Lonshtein
Gita German – daughter of Yona and Frum; author
Rivkah German – sister of Yona; married Pesach Gordon
Sheinaleh Gordon – daughter of Rivkah and Pesach; married 2nd husband Judel Gerberajevsky
Sarah Gerberajevsky – daughter of Rikvkah and Judel
Friends and Acquaintances
Chaim Yellen
Places
Poland
Ramat Gan, Israel
47. Rut Latzman-Peer
People
Family
Jehoshua Latzman – married Frida Peleryte (his 2nd wife); married Lina (his 3rd wife)
Lili and Daniel Latzman – children Jehoshua and his 1st wife (not named)
Rut Latzman – daughter of Jehoshua and Frida; author
Gil – son of Rut
Lev (Leopold) Latzman – son of Jehoshua and Lina
Rochale Latzman – sister of Jehoshua
Henia Latzman – sister of Jehoshua
David Latzman – brother of Jehoshua
Friends and Acquaintances
Rocha Zacharovich
Meir and Busia Elin
Chaim Elin – brother to Meir
Places
Kazakhstan
Israel
Tel Aviv, Israel
48. Rina Gilde-Rubinstein
People
Family
Max Gilde – married Eida Judelvich
Rina Gilde – daughter of Max and Eida; married Reuven Rubenstein; author
Fruma Gurvich – sister of Max
Fruma Hasman – sister of Eida Judelvich
Friends and Acquaintances
Pesah (Pisinka) and Chanale Joselevich - siblings
Places
Siberia, Soviet Union
Palestine
Haifa, Israel
49. Rina Zupovich-Kaplan-Wolbe and Simon Wolbe
People
Family
Chaya Hinde Strashuner –
Mira Strashuner – daughter of Chaya; married Meir Zupovich
Rina Zupovich (Kaplan) – married Simon Wolbe; authors
Frida Strashuner – daughter of Chaya (twin of Mira); married Yakov Kaplan
Mark and Daniel Kaplan – sons of Frida and Yakov
Rina Zupovich – adopted by Frida and Yakov (see above)
Rosa Strashuner – daughter of Chaya
Leibke Strashuner – son of Chaya
Meir Zupovich – married Mira Strashuner (see above)
Moshe Zupovich – brother of Meir
Yehuda (Juda) Zupovich – brother of Meir; married Dita (Judith)
Dita (Judith) Zupovich became Shperling when she re-married (see above)
Haim Wolbe – married Frida Epstein; married Zlate Mashkantz (2nd wife)
Haya Wolbe – daughter of Haim and Frida
Moshe Wolbe – son of Haim and Frida
Simon Wolbe – son of Haim and Frida; married Rina Zupovich (see above);
Itzhak Wolbe – son of Haim and Zlate
Riva and Israel – children of Zlate
Places
Israel
K’far Sava, Israel
50. Kama Ginkas
People
Family
Avraam Gink
Miron Ginkas – son of Avraam; married Manya Zingman
Kama Ginkas – son of Miron and Manya; married Henrietta Yanovskaya; author
Zhenya Ginkas – son of Miron and Manya
Alisa Ginkas – daughter of Miron and Manya
Lyolya (Lev) Gink – son of Avraam
Liza Zingman
Khesya Zingman – son of Liza
Manya Zingman – daughter of Liza (see above)
Places
Moscow, Russia
To go to the informative website of Dovid Katz who has made Jewish Lithuania, including the Holocaust, his area of research and publication, click here.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Smuggled in Potato Sacks: Fifty Stories of the Hidden Children of the Kaunas Ghetto edited by Solomon Abramovich and Yakov Zilberg 2011
Monday, January 2, 2012
Half the Way Home: A Memoir of Father and Son by Adam Hochschild 1986
"Mr. Hochschild illuminates, with a rare tact, the situations of fathers and sons, and he avoids the traps of sentimentality and rancor both." From a review by Mary Gordon in the New York Times June 15, 1986
In this engaging memoir, journalist and writer Adam Hochschild (b. 1942) explores the relationship he had with his father, Harold Hochschild, who was the child of German Jewish immigrants. The author’s grandfather, Berthold, who came from a small village near Frankfurt, arrived in America in 1886 traveling first class, sent by his metal trading company to establish an affiliate in the states.
Hochschild writes that his grandfather spoke German and celebrated Christmas. He felt he had nothing in common with the masses of Yiddish-speaking Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and wanted nothing to do with them. His like-minded son Harold did what he could to suppress his Jewish origins. He married a socially prominent Protestant and moved from the Upper West Side enclave of German Jewish immigrants to Park Avenue on the East Side.
Hochschild’s father became the Director of his father’s company, by now a global metal trading company with interests in mines worldwide. A socially ambitious man, Harold Hochschild lived his life purposefully, acquiring all the trappings of success. The author, his only child, had a governess, he was chauffeured to private school, then went away to boarding school, and he traveled all over the world with his parents. Summer months were spent at Eagle Nest, a compound in the Adirondack mountains where the family, aided by a large assortment of cooks, maids, butlers, and groundsmen, entertained large groups constantly.
Harold Hochschild had expectations that his son, Adam, would follow in his footsteps, but Adam Hochschild resisted the pressure he felt his father always applied to keep him on the track he was expected to follow. Because of his father's expectations and because his father was emotionally repressed, he felt tense in his father's presence from as early as he can remember.
After his father’s death, in cleaning out his study, Hochschild came across a memo his father had written in 1940 when Hitler was marching across Europe that helped him to see that many of his father’s behaviors were reactions to his suppressed Jewish identity. His father's memo was about antisemitism and he wrote that Jews should conduct themselves so as to be not singled out as Jews; they should not call attention to themselves. Harold Hochschild, the son of a successful German Jewish immigrant, did what he could to assimilate into the larger culture, convinced that this strategy was in the best interests of his family.
To read an interesting article about American Jews and assimilation, click here.
People
Berthold Hochschild
Harold Hochschild – son of Berthold; married Mary Marquand
Adam Hochschild – son of Harold and Mary; married to Arlie Russell; author
David and Gabriel Hochschild – sons of Adam and Arlie
Walter Hochschild – son of Berhold;
Gertrude Hochschild – daughter of Berthold; married Boris Sergievsky
Kira Sergievsky – daughter of Gertrude and Boris
Hannah Blumenthal – cousin (exact relationship unexplained)
Places
New York City
Germany
Eagle Nest, Adirondacks, NY
Princeton, NJ
San Fransisco, California
In this engaging memoir, journalist and writer Adam Hochschild (b. 1942) explores the relationship he had with his father, Harold Hochschild, who was the child of German Jewish immigrants. The author’s grandfather, Berthold, who came from a small village near Frankfurt, arrived in America in 1886 traveling first class, sent by his metal trading company to establish an affiliate in the states.
Hochschild writes that his grandfather spoke German and celebrated Christmas. He felt he had nothing in common with the masses of Yiddish-speaking Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and wanted nothing to do with them. His like-minded son Harold did what he could to suppress his Jewish origins. He married a socially prominent Protestant and moved from the Upper West Side enclave of German Jewish immigrants to Park Avenue on the East Side.
Hochschild’s father became the Director of his father’s company, by now a global metal trading company with interests in mines worldwide. A socially ambitious man, Harold Hochschild lived his life purposefully, acquiring all the trappings of success. The author, his only child, had a governess, he was chauffeured to private school, then went away to boarding school, and he traveled all over the world with his parents. Summer months were spent at Eagle Nest, a compound in the Adirondack mountains where the family, aided by a large assortment of cooks, maids, butlers, and groundsmen, entertained large groups constantly.
Harold Hochschild had expectations that his son, Adam, would follow in his footsteps, but Adam Hochschild resisted the pressure he felt his father always applied to keep him on the track he was expected to follow. Because of his father's expectations and because his father was emotionally repressed, he felt tense in his father's presence from as early as he can remember.
After his father’s death, in cleaning out his study, Hochschild came across a memo his father had written in 1940 when Hitler was marching across Europe that helped him to see that many of his father’s behaviors were reactions to his suppressed Jewish identity. His father's memo was about antisemitism and he wrote that Jews should conduct themselves so as to be not singled out as Jews; they should not call attention to themselves. Harold Hochschild, the son of a successful German Jewish immigrant, did what he could to assimilate into the larger culture, convinced that this strategy was in the best interests of his family.
To read an interesting article about American Jews and assimilation, click here.
People
Berthold Hochschild
Harold Hochschild – son of Berthold; married Mary Marquand
Adam Hochschild – son of Harold and Mary; married to Arlie Russell; author
David and Gabriel Hochschild – sons of Adam and Arlie
Walter Hochschild – son of Berhold;
Gertrude Hochschild – daughter of Berthold; married Boris Sergievsky
Kira Sergievsky – daughter of Gertrude and Boris
Hannah Blumenthal – cousin (exact relationship unexplained)
Places
New York City
Germany
Eagle Nest, Adirondacks, NY
Princeton, NJ
San Fransisco, California
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