Krasne
Guestbook Archive - 2 |
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Archived on
October 1, 2003
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Krasne Guestbook ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi, I typed in my grandfathers name in the search engine online to see if I could find anything out about my ancestry and your website came up. I saw that there was information about my family written on June 17th in your guestbook. I was wondering where you found the information. I am the daughter of Judy Graffman. Annie Isaacson was my great grandmother. I would love to know how you found your information and if you have any questions for me please let me know. I live in Baltimore,Maryland. Great website! Lorena . - Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 07:10:26 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bruce Sanders' theory is that having the sugar cube visible for all to see, while drinking tea, was a sign that you could afford sugar. I'd like to expand this with some nice info in an eMail which I kept an year ago - but could not find on-line now. I had to do some research for a friend. His family is related to the Weizmanns from Motol. Chaim Weizmann, the first president of modern Israel, was born in Motol, in today's Belarus. Searching for Weizmanns and Motol, I came across this. The author of the eMail.mentioned quoted his uncle Aaron. Aaron - believed to live across from the Weizmanns in Motol - said that "the Weizmanns were so rich" that.... "they had sugar in their tea every day." !! Certainly many of us take some things for granted nowadays - sugar, for example. Extracting and refining sugar from sugar beet was the activity of some of my family members. Probably, the Weizmann's sugar came from sugar beet, too. By the way, I remember the tradition of cube-in-teeth and tea- in- tall- glasses (with and without handles) for family members originating as North as Vilna Gubernia and as South as Kremenchug, Ukraine. Who copied whom? Carlos GLIKSON Buenos Aires, Argentina . - Monday, September 15, 2003 at 20:19:25 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jewish families in Krasne 1941 The list is based on my memory. I am not young any more and my memory isn't as it used to be. The list includes the surname and first name of the head of the family, except those whose surnames were identical and their first name I couldn't recall. I ask the forgiveness of all those whom I didn't mention. Arie Shevach Arliuk Shabtai Alperovitch Axelrod Brudner Motl Brudner Noach Brudner (big store) Cyrulnik yosel Chodosh Chanin Mordchai Dishler Leiser Flechtman Avraham Galperin Nochim Gringaus Avrom-Chaim Galperin Jechiel Galperin Mordchay Gringaus Jekutiel Gurevitch (the hotel) Gilbert Alexander Gordon Yosel Goldin Azriel Izrailevitch Jechezkel Kupershtoch Libe Kaganovitch Chaim Kraytchik Judl. Kamienietzki Sholem Kamienietzki Zalmen Kamienietzki Yosel Kaplan Aba Kaplan Eliyahu Katz Kupershtoch Libe Kirshner Shmuel Lechovitzki Mordchai Lulav Liova Lifshitz Elyiahu Monin Judl Monin Aharon Piltz Jacov Plotkin Chaim- Dovid Pik Getsl Reznik Israel Shkliar Chaim Sklut Jacov Sklut Shimon Szewach Benjamin Shkliar Chaim Tov Waynshtein Avraham . - Sunday, August 03, 2003 at 08:58:02 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I would like to thank Arie Shevach for the list of families of Krasne that I will post on the site in a few days. Jewish families in Krasne 1941 The list is based on my memory. I am not young any more and my memory isn't as it used to be. The list includes the surname and first name of the head of the family, except those whose surnames were identical and their first name I couldn't recall. I ask the forgiveness of all those whom I didn't mention. Arie Shevach Arliuk Shabtai Kraytchik Judl. Alperovitch Kamienietzki Sholem Axelrod Kamienietzki Zalmen Brudner Motl Kamienietzki Yosel Brudner Noach Kaplan Eliyahu Brudner (big store) Kaplan Aba Cyrulnik yosel Katz Chodosh Kupershtoch Libe Chanin Mordchai Kirshner Shmuel Dishler Leiser Monin Judl Flechtman Avraham Monin Aharon Galperin Nochim Piltz Jacov Gringaus Avrom-Chaim Plotkin Chaim-Dovid Galperin Jechiel Kaganovitch Chaim Gringaus Jekutiel Sklut Jacov Gurevitch (the hotel) Sklut Shimon Gilbert Alexander Szewach Benjamin Shkliar Chaim Tov Gordon Yosel Waynshtein Avraham Goldin Azriel Pik Getsl Izrailevitch Jechezkel Lifshitz Elyiahu Lechovitzki Mordchai Reznik Israel Lulav Liova Gordon Yosel Kupershtoch Libe Galperin Mordchay Kaganovitch Chaim . - Sunday, August 03, 2003 at 08:36:35 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ To: EilatGordn I am interested in the Gordon family from Krasne. My father and all the family always said Vilna but his papers said Krasne. His father was Reb Oizer HaKohain. His mother Rochel Kunin. (can't find any Kunins). My father was Israel, changed to Lowell Israel or Irwin here. His brother was Samuel, later Sidney. Dad had uncles Isaac, Max, Joseph?, and at least 2 aunts-Anna Plotnick and Hanna Maalla Kunin. They all ended up in Stamford, CT and branched out from there. Perhaps you know any of these? I know that Gordon is a very common name from Lithuania. Gail . - Friday, July 18, 2003 at 08:02:28 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subj: pedro alperowicz Date: 6/30/03 6:59:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time From: salonelcano@arnet.com. To: eilatGordn@aol.com Dear Eilat: Today, José Alperovich is the new governator of the Tucuman´s province.(Argentina) José is the son of León Alperovich. regards. Pedro Alperowicz José Alperovich' family originated in Vileyka. http://www.eilatgordinlevitan.com/kurenets/k_pix/alperovitz/20303_1_b.gif click for picture and information - Monday, June 30, 2003 at 10:10:52 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jason Alpert writes; My mother Dorothy (OBM) had a best friend. Her name was Ada (nee Meltzer) Abromson. Ada and her husband John retired to Phoenix Arizona. I believe that Mary (Mrs Samuel) Skolnik was a close relative of Ada or John. Dear all; I received a family tree from Jewel Fishkin that tells the connection; Ada (nee Meltzer) Abromson was married John (born 1909 died 1992) the brother of Mary (Mrs Samuel) Skolnik (she was the youngest child of the family). Here is the Abromson family tree in a short version; Chana nee Edelman [daughter of John Adelman and Anne nee Skloot was born on May 18, 1874 in Russia. She died on February 2, 1960 in Auborn, Main she was married to; Luis Abromson died on December 25, 1947. Children; 1.Hyman Abramson was born in Krasne in 1894 and died in Lewiston, Maine in 1972 Spouse; Lena nee Cohen.Daughter Charlotte married Ernest Bart (Susan, Nancy, Laurnce) 2.Celia abromson was born April 5, 1900 and died in Lewiston, Maine January 25, 1996. Spouse; Morris Supovitz.Children; Paul and Beverly Supovitz+ Paul Hurvitz (son James Hurvitz) 3. Fannie Abrmson born May 10, 1902 and died ? Spouse;Israel Abraham Miller Married in Old Orchard Beach, Maine 9-19- 1926. Children; Stanley John Miller (Scott, David, William) Maynard Miller (Diana and Anita). Judith + Henry Jordan.Joseph Milton Miller (Matthew). Michelle Lynn+ Ryan Damare 4. Esther Abromson born 11- 21- 1903 in Auborn, Maine.Died 11- 27- 1995 in Chicago. Married Max Gordon in Portland, Maine ( children; Howard died as a baby in 1944, Ruth Adele married Herbert Halperin) 5. Benjamin Abramson Spouse; Natalie Supovitz (Son Michael died in 1993, grandsons; Richard and Daniel) 6. John Abramson born 1909 died 1992 in Portland, Maine married Ada Meltzer (sons; Irving Joel Abromson and Morton Colp Abromson) 7. Mary Abromson Spouse; Sam Skolnick (sons; Louise and Steve.) .. - Friday, June 27, 2003 at 10:29:44 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Enjoyed the website. Wilbur - Friday, June 27, 2003 at 09:32:50 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Towns (Shtetlakh) within area of former Vilner Gubernia where Jason's family once lived --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dieveniskes (Yiddish: Di-VEN-i-shok) Dolhinov/Dolhinow/Dolginovo (Yiddish: Dal-HI-nev) Dokshitzy (Yiddish: DOK-shitz) [Home of Yiddish journalist Nissan Gordon (OB"M)] Horodok/Grudek/Gorodok (Yiddish: Ha-ro-DOK) Ilja/Ilya (Yiddish: IL-ye) Krasne/Krasnoje-Nad-Usza [Krasnoye on the Usha River] (Yiddish: KRAS-ne) Kurenets/Kurenitz/Kurzeniec (Yiddish KU-re-nitz) Molodechno (Yiddish: Ma-lo-DETCH-ne) Oshmyany (Yiddish: Osh-mi-YE-ne) Radoshkovichi (Yiddish: Ra-desh-KO-vitz) [At the former "Russian-Polish" border] Rakov (Yiddish: RA-kev) Smorgon (Yiddish: Smar-GON) [Birthplace of famed Cantors Koussevitzky (OB"M)] Vileyka/Vileika/Vilejka/Wilejka (Yiddish: ViLEYke) Vishnevo (Yiddish: VISH-ne-ve) Volozhin (Yidish: Va-LO-zhin) [Home the the famed Volozhiner yeshiva] Below are some scattered notes from my files and my memory on the Scolnik and Manpel Families (who are among the descendants of Eliyohu Zaludik) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Kalman and Mary Scolnik (both deceased) 210 Ash Street Lewiston, Maine 04240 Tel. 207-782-5794 Kalman and Mary were married 9/23/1910. They are the parents of Samuel, Bill, and Eddy Scolnik. Mary's yortsait is 24 Nissan. I (Jason I Alpert) knew Kalman and Mary well. (I was born in Lewiston, Maine, March 8, 1940.) My mother worshipped her Aunt Mary, and repeatedly took me to visit her. Many years ago, I spent a few hours with Kalman Scolnik at 210 Ash Street. I picked his brain in compiling our family tree. Unfortunately, Kalman has passed on, and the piece of paper containing that family-tree has been lost. Some things survive in my memory, to wit: Kalman said that our ultimate ancestor was named Eliyahu Der Vilner (meaning Eliyahu from the City of Vilna). This is undoubtedly the Eliyahu Zaludik that is listed on Dave Fessler's excellent family-tree (see below). (And, no -- this is NOT the Vilner Gaon.) Kalman lived to the age of perhaps 110 or 120. In case you want to try to figure out his exact age, consider this: Kalman once told me that he (Kalman) was born in Kurenitz (Kurenets in Belorus) "the year of the big fire." Kalman also told me that he'd had a brother who'd changed his name to Alperowicz (a very popular family-name in Kurenitz), and that this brother had then moved (from Kurenitz) to Bobruisk (Belorus). Someone should try to locate any descendants of this displaced family-member ... Kalman's wife (and first-cousin) was Mary. "Aunt Mary" was a sister of my grandfather (Eliyohu-Shlomo or "E-le-SHLEY-me") Gurewitz. My mother Dorothy Gurewitz Alpert (Eleshleyme's daughter) used to address her as " Mi-YA-she" (probably from the Russian name Mar-ya-sha)" My mother OB"M passed away Feb 1991. Kalman and Mary's two unmarried sons, Bill and Eddy, still live at 210 Ash Street in Lewiston. Bill and Eddy probably possess a treasure-trove of information that could be used for family genealogical research. By this I mean correspondence from pre-war Europe. This is because the Scolniks have lived at 210 Ash Street in Lewiston "forever", and that address has for many years served as a rally point for separated and dispersed family members to seek each other. (According to Dave Fessler's family-tree, Bill was born in 1913, and Eddy in 1917 -- so I wouldn't procrastinate contacting them.) For example, cousin Ida Manpel Rubin (see below) once told me the story of how she'd been reunited with her brother Elye after the Holocaust. She said that Elye had written to the Scolniks at 210 Ash Street saying that he was still alive. He'd survived the Nazis, and was living in Russia. (The only American address that he had was 210 Ash Street.) The Scolnik's contacted Ida in NYC upon receipt of this letter (more about this below). Nevertheless, Ida disliked her uncle Kalman. She called him "a miyeser shlang!". (Perhaps she was jealous of his great wealth???) Ida (Chaya-Hinda) MANPEL was born in Dalhinov (Dolginovo), which is now in Belarus. Ida emigrated to the USA, where she married Israel "Tulie" RUBIN. They lived in Brooklyn, NY. I used to have a b/w photo of Ida Manpel and her parents and siblings, sent from Dalhinov to my grandfather Louis Sam Gurewitz in Auburn, Maine. It was sent before she emigrated to the USA. Does anyone have a copy of this priceless photo? I doubt that Ida is still alive. You could check with her son Lewis -- with whom I once played chess while the Rubin family lived on (367?) Miller Avenue in the East New York section of Brooklyn -- around 1954 or so. Here is his address: Rubin, Lewis MD (Urologist) 2320 Bath St # 309 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Phone: 805-682-7661 After Ida Manpel emigrated to the USA, her brother Elye Manpel remained behind in Dalhinov (Dolginovo). Elye was there during the Holocaust. Fortunately, Elye caught the very last train that managed to leave Dalhinov before the Nazis arrived, and thus miraculously escaped the invading Nazis. MANY YEARS LATER, a letter from him was received by the Scolniks at 210 Ash Street in Lewiston. He was (is?) living in the Russian city of Orel (pronounced Aryol). I am attaching a file named Manpel.GIF. This is an image of Elye's address written in Cyrillic characters. Here is my transliteration of the Cyrillic version, and it may be WRONG. Elye Manpel Komsomolskaya Street 46, Apt. 3 Orël, Russia 302001 (ANSI character-set, used in Windows) Or‰l, Russia 302001 (ASCII character-set, used in DOS) I believe that Elye was Ida's YOUNGEST sibling. Therefore, he might still be alive. Someone should try to locate him, and any possible descendants (as well as Kalman's brother in Bobruisk, mentioned above) ... ------------------------------------------------------------------- Lewis Rubin's older brother is Seymour, and the oldest is Jackie. I found these 2 addresses for Seymour on the Internet. I don't know if either is correct. Rubin, Seymour 2085 Rkwy Pkwy Brooklyn, NY 11236 (718) 763-5419 Rubin, Seymour 4218 Bedford Ave Brooklyn, NY 11229 (718) 769-2444 I also found Jackie's address on the Internet. I KNOW that this address is correct, because I used to visit Ida there. Rubin, Jack 2896 W 8th St Brooklyn, NY 11224 (718) 373-2049 (718) 373-0230 Since Jackie Rubin is occupying his parents' apartment, and since he is the oldest son -- I would think that he might be in possession of old family photos and correspondence from pre-war Eastern Europe. (Similar situation to Bill and Eddy Scolnik, above) ------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** More About the Family ***** During the years 1953-1956 (when I first came to NYC from Maine to study in a yeshiva), I used to regularly visit cousin Ida Manpel-Rubin and her husband Israel (Tulie), and their three sons. They lived in the East New York section of Brooklyn, at 367 ? Miller Avenue. (Later, they moved to 2896 West 8th Street in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn.) After visiting with Ida, I would walk over to (129?) Miller Avenue, and visit with cousin Sadie (Mrs Jake) Friedland, and her daughter Pauline. (I was just 13 or 14 years old. Ida and then Sadie would both feed me well.) I believe that Sadie had a sister (Becky Williams?) maybe in Far Rockway,NY. Besides their daughter Pauline, Sadie and Jake had a son named Al Friedland. Al married his second-cousin Estelle (nee Gurewitz), from Ithaca, New York (more below). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- My grandfather Louis Sam (Eleshleyme) Gurewitz (changed from Zaludik) had these siblings (as far as I recall): 1. Mary (Maryasha), who married her first-cousin Kalman Scolnik. (They lived at 210 Ash Street in Lewiston, Maine, as mentioned above.) 2. David, of Lewiston, Maine. He never married. 3. Harry, of Ithaca, New York. [I recall now that Mary's husband Kalman couldn't stomach Mary's brother Dovid. Dovid would have to sneak over to 210 Ash St. for a meal when Kalman wasn't home. Maybe this is one of the reasons that cousin Ida Manpel-Rubin didn't like him. (As I mentioned above.) I never met Harry Gurewitz. According to my records, Harry's daughter Estelle married her second-cousin Al Friedland. They had three children: Rickie, Phillip, Jay Lee, and Lisa Sue. I don't remember if I ever met any of Estelle's children. I MAY have met Estelle and Al Friedland, possibly at Sadie's home on 129 Miller Avenue in Brooklyn. I don't remember.) I vaguely remember that family members would stay with Estelle, whenever they visited Florida. (Why pay for a hotel?) My records show her address as: Estelle Friedland 17521 N. E. 1st Court North Miami Beach, Florida 33162 But I couldn't find it on the Internet. I am fairly sure that her husband Al Friedland has passed away. I don't know about her. The children are probably alive. ------------------------------------------------------------------- A 3rd son of Kalman and Mary Scolnik is Sam Scolnik. Sam is married to the former Mary Abromson. He is a (retired?) lawyer. Here is their address: Samuel and Mary Scolnik 3700 Calvert Pl Kensington, Maryland 20895 301-949-0519 ------------------------------------------------------------------- ******** Re the surname "GUREWITZ" ******** Ida Manpel once told me that the family-name Gurewitz wasn't genuine. The name was really Zheludek (Ida even wrote Zheludek for me on a paper.) Also, As a child, I once questioned "Uncle Dovid" (as I used to fondly address him) as to why the family name had been changed from Zheludek to Gurewitz. His reply was something like: "Vos bin ich shul-dik vos der ta-te hot amol ge-ton?" -- which gave me the impression that he couldn't, or didn't want to, explain why his father Yosef (after whom I'm named), had changed the name. Well, this is confirmed by Dave Fessler's family-tree. Only there, the name is spelled Zaludik -- which is probably more correct. There is a Yizkor-book commemorating a TOWN named ZHELUDOK. See http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/zaludok/zheludok.html Many years ago I skimmed through this book. In it I found some cousins of mine (from a different side of the family, not related to the Scolniks and Zaludiks) named ALPEROWICZ (ALPEROVITCH) and SZYFMANOWICZ (SHIFMANOVITCH). (Lyuba SZYFMANOWICZ died in the Holocaust according to page 314 in this book.) It doesn't make sense for a family-name (surname) to be identical to a town name. Someone from Vilna might be named Vilner (not Vilna). Someone from ZHELUDOK might be named ZHELUDKER. That's why I think that Zaludik is correct. An alternate spelling might be Zaludok or Zaludek. ------------------------------------------------------------------- According to Lester Solnin (changed from Sosensky) and Marian Anderson, Dave Fessler of Houston, Texas, has a large amount of information. They sent me a paper copy of Dave's family-tree, which is entitled "Descendants of Eliyohu Zaludik. It is a masterpiece ... They also sent me a digitized image (Paperport .MAX file) of a 1-page Report, which is information extracted from Dave's family-tree (database). Dave's email address is dfessler@houston.rr.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of "Sosensky", I vaguely recall seeing a photo of an old bearded man. I think he was a cousin named Sosensky. And I very vaguely recall being told that he was referred to as "Der Feter" ("The Uncle"). ==================================== I know nothing about the following person: P Scolnik Lewiston, Maine 207-784-5573 ------------------------------------------------------------------- I know nothing about the following person (Helen Manpel). Perhaps she is Ida's sister-in-law or niece? Manpel, Helen 1071 Eglinton West Toronto, Ontario, Canada Tel. 416-782-6465 ------------------------------------ Same is true for the following couple: Manpel, Jack & Frida 569 Sheppard Avenue, West Toronto, Ontario, Canada Tel. 416-636-9640 ------------------------------------ This is Ida's brother (a wealthy merchant?). Manpel, Louis 989 Eglinton Avenue, Apt. #223 Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M6C2C6 ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ On 10/13/1985 I (Jason I Alpert) attended a meeting of the KURENITZER FAREYN (Kurenitz Landsmanschaft or "Society"), held in New York City. There I unexpected ly met a man named Julius Scolnik, of the Bronx, NY. (This is NOT the Julius Scolnik of Lewiston, Maine.) Julius said that he is a cousin of Kalman Scolnik of Lewiston, Maine. Julius was born circa 1897. At that time, Julius's telephone was 933-1062 (now area-code 718). On 5/15/1986 I spoke with Julius by phone. He said that a meeting of the KURENITZER FAREYN had just been held on Sunday, 5/4/1986. ============= RESOURCES ============= *** Jewish Home for the Aged in in Portland, Maine ("Cedars Campus") *** My mother Dorothy (OBM) had a best friend. Her name was Ada (nee Meltzer) Abromson. Ada and her husband John retired to Phoenix Arizona. I believe that Mary (Mrs Samuel) Skolnik was a close relative of Ada or John. An Internet search that I just made for "Abromson AZ US" yielded no matches. But a search for Ada and John's son Joel yielded the following: I J and Linda Abromson 25 Fall Ln, Portland, ME 04103 207-797-4438 I believe that Linda is on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Home for the Aged in in Portland, Maine -- which is now called "Cedars Campus" http://www.thecedarscampus.com/ppf.html I mention this because the records of Cedars could possibly be a great source of info for people researching Jewish families in Maine. For example, I believe that a cousin from Auburn, Nochum Widrowitz (who was called Kop-Af-Kop) and possibly his wife Reyze ("Reize-Nochum's"), retired to this Home for the Aged. ------------------------------------ ******* Zalman Alpert ******* Zalman is librarian @ Yeshiva University's Mendel Gottesman Library. Zalman has published scholarly articles on Lubavitch history -- in the English section of the ALGEMEINER Journal. Zalman's father was born in Kurenitz, and Zalman is an expert on Kurenitz. He's from New Haven, Connecticut -- a city where many Jews from Vileyka, Kurenits, and Krasne area settled. Zalman's email address is alpert@ymail.yu.edu ------------------------------------ **** Websites **** Eilat Gordin-Levitan's Kurenitzer website is http://www.eilatgordinlevitan.com/kurenets/kurenets.html JGFF (Jewish Genealogical Society Family Finder) website is: http://www.jewishgen.org/jgff/ Miscellaneous other genealogical websites: http://www.ajhs.org/genealog.htm http://www.avotaynu.com http://www.jgsny.org http://www.JewishGen.org http://www.jewishgen.org/ajgs http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/database.html http://www.jewishgen.org/jgsgw/links.html http://www.lds.org/site_main_menu/frameset-global-bas_bel.html http://www.nara.gov/nara/nail.html http://members.aol.com/rechtman/yizkorbk.htm http://www.remember.org/children/tracing.html http://shamash.org/holocaust http://home.att.net/~JGSNYCem/WPAForm.htm http://www.yivoinstitute.org/archlib/genealog.htm#resources ------------------------------------ As cousin Steve Sosensky once wrote, I "have a lot of other things to take care of, and am putting genealogy on hold..." I will try to assist others in such research, by providing information that I have, and/or by translating from the Yiddish or Hebrew. But I cannot actively engage in the research myself ... maybe, later. So, please -- don't send me info -- just questions. Also, I am quite knowledable in Yiddish. I've spent vast amounts of time reading old Yiddish correspondence. If you have such correspondence, please mail same to me. ------------------------------------ For more info, please telephone me on 212-414-8738, or email me. -- Jason I Alpert (Yos'l ) ~~~~~~~~ END of Scolnik.txt FILE ~~~~~~~~ . - Friday, June 27, 2003 at 07:46:44 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: "Ronald S. Deutsch" Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2003 20:26:02 -0400 To: Eilat Gordin wrote me that you were in contact with Randy Daitch who specializes in genealogy from the Vilna Gubernia area. Our family originates from Dolhinov which is in that region. Wondering, if you could put me in touch with him to see if him and I are related. Thanks! Ron Deutsch 1302 St. Paul's Way Crownsville, MD 21032 (410) 849-3016 ==================================================== To which I reply: ---------------------- I've been out of touch with Randy for many years. If you find him, please apprise me of his whereabouts. My records re Randy are below. (I doubt if his Venice CA address below is still valid.) ------------------------------------------------------ Randy Daitch 206 Fifth Avenue Venice, California 90291 213-399-7092 Randy's surname is pronounced as per its original Polish spelling "Dejcz" ("ej" like "ey" in "they"). In other words, "Daitch" with the "ai" as in wait. Randy is mentioned on page 18 of Avotaynu magazine, July 1985 issue. The publisher of Avotayne magazine is Gary Mokotoff (see below). Randy stayed at my former apartment, 100 Forsyth Street, NYC from 8-6-1985 thru 8-20-85. Randy and Gary co-authored the Daitch-Mokotoff Soundex. See websites: www.avotaynu.com and www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/database.html Or contact Gary Mokotoff Randy's family was from Sharkovshchizna (Sharkovshchina or Sarkauscyna), Belorus. Check out this link: http://www.jewishgen.org/Belarus/Shtetls/ssharkovshchina.htm -- Jason I Alpert (Yosl), 212-414-8738 . - Friday, June 27, 2003 at 03:38:22 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The girl who survived By Arie Shevach (szewach) In the large home of Mordechai (Motel) and Sonia Brudner in Krasne, dwelt a Polish lady named Kierczowa who worked as a midwife. She was childless and became greatly attached to the family's children- Noah-Mairem and Rivkah. In 1941, when all the Jews of the town of Krasne were put in the ghetto, the lady's apartment was annexed to the ghetto area. She obviously received a "compensation" for her apartment-the house of a Jew by the name of Yudel Monin- one of the wealthiest men in town, his house was located outside of the area of the (designated for the Jewish) ghetto and was seized from him. Knowing that he was well off you can understand that the house was quite big, and it was split to two. The second half was given to a different non Jewish resident who lived there with his family and children. When Kierczowa moved out to her new and enlarged home, she offered to take Rivka, the Brudners' young daughter to reside and remain with her. The family knew that the girl would be much safer there than in the ghetto. As it was done in many houses in the ghetto, the new Jewish inhabitants of the Brudners' house [many families lived in the small numbers of homes that were designated as the ghetto] worked hard to secretly build a hiding place, "malina". This hide out was to be used at times when the Germans would come to the ghetto in order to randomly catch some Jews and slaughter them. Kierczowa's apartment was given to Shmuel Dovrovsky, a Jewish dental technician. This man worked for the German local officers. To allow him to complete his job for them, his apartment was connected to and electric supply. This fact was well exploited by the Jews who were not allowed to have outside contacts. A radio that was put in the hiding place [Jews were not permitted to own radios] was secretly connected to electricity and in this way, all who knew of the secret would gather at night hours in order to listen and be informed of the current situation in the front. On March of 1943, the day of the massacre of the Krasne ghetto, the Germans discovered the radio on which Kierczowa's name was written. They took the trouble to find her. Being a German "folksdeutsch" she managed to quickly seem innocent in the eyes of the Germans. Her one problem was the Jewish girl, Rivka, whom she secretly kept in her house all that time. In 1944 the area was freed by the Soviet Union. When I came back from the war at the middle of August 1944, the town was still under a Soviet military rule. The military authorities appointed me as head of the local council (something similar to a mayor of a town council). This lasted for maybe two or three weeks. After that a local Soviet board was put up, composed of unknown outsiders as it was always done in the Soviet State. One day, a local citizen who was required to serve in the army came to see me. He asked me to write him down as essential person who is needed here in the rear so that the military authorities would release him of the service. And this was his story: "I was Kierczowa's neighbor and I helped her hide a Jewish girl who was in her house when the Germans came knocking on her door to question her about the radio. Therefor now, you as a Jew, are obliged to save me from a sure death at the front. I, a father of four, how can you refuse to spare my wife and children?" I told him to find the girl and bring her to me, and then we would talk the matter over. I had no clue of who and what he was talking about. Two weeks passed and in the midst of a bright day, the man reported to me with a little girl, frightened and starved. She was dirty, her clothes were torn, and she was crying and lacking the ability to speak. It appeared that after Kierczowa "solved" the radio problem she had to get rid of the Jewish girl whom was in her custody. A woman from one of the villages was willing in return for payment, to take the girl under her care. The woman quickly kept the payment and left the girl outdoors on her own. The girl started wandering from village to village, working as a shepherdess. She dwelled with the farm animals, eating leftovers that were given to her and her life was constantly in danger being at the hands of every passerby who could recognize her and report her as a Jew to the Germans. From that point I became her keeper. Being 19, without a family this was not a simple task for me. At that time, a Jewish family who survived the war came to live in the town and received housing in the old house of Alter-the Jewish blacksmith. The family consisted of a mother, her three young children and the mother's sister. It was one of the only houses that survived the fire that the Germans set at their retreat. The financial state of Fina and Sonia Averbuch (the two sisters) was quite bad while mine was by then fairly good, perhaps very good. I was appointed as a manager of seven local factories spread out in the area, which produced turpentine, heavy oils and wooden charcoals as a by-product. The sisters took upon themselves to take care of Rivka. The task was not easy, it took some time until she calmed down, started talking and coming back to herself. I had no problem supporting the six mouths while at that time the war was still going on not far from us. With the liberation of Vilna, a school and dormitory was opened. The studies were held in Yiddish and Russian. I signed Rivka up and continued in watching out for her up until the authorities decided to close down the school. Rivka was then taken back to the sisters' home in Krasne. When I decided to come to Israel I of course took Rivka with me. When I arrived in Israel, I came to know that my grandfather, Shimon Sklut [My mothers' father], was the brother of her grandmother, her mother's mother. We also found more relatives- Azriel and Taibel Goldin from Krasne, her sons Hirshel and Noah and her daughter Chiyna. Likewise, we found her father's brother Noah Brudner, his wife Maraisha of the Kaplan family from Olshany and their sons- Reuven and Benjamin Brudner. Luckily they all fled to Russia at the beginning of the war and managed to escape the Germans. When the war ended they were sent away to Poland as they were former Polish citizens and from there came to Israel. Rivka is today happily married, a mother of two- a son and a daughter, and a proud grandmother to their children. . - Tuesday, June 24, 2003 at 08:43:14 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Shevach fmily from Krasne originated in Piesk. There is; Piesk and Most, a Memorial Book (Belarus) Piesk (Peski and Piaski) 53°21' / 24°38' The Little Shtetl Piesk /Chaim Shevach (Argentina )http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/Piaski/pie407.html 475 The Shevach Dynasty by Eizer Shevach [Shewach] Training of the Lutzk Group by Khonon Shevach [Shewach] Start of Organizations in Piesk by Natan Shevach [Shewach] From Piesk List of perished; Shewach Aizik son of Abrahamek and family Shewach Baskeh daughter of Yosed and family Shewach Berl Keila and family; Bashka and family; Bentcheh and family Shewach Berl son of Yosed and family Shewach B'Vandeh daughter of Yosed and family Shewach Eliazer wife Mery; son David and wife Berteh (nee Yitzakovitz) and children; Moshe and wife (nee Yitzakovitz) and children; niece Keila and family Shewach Ester husband Shimon Dubovski; son Yakob Shewach Ester daughter of Abramak and family Shewach Gershon and family Shewach Keila husband Mikal and children Shewach Leizer Aharon wife Mery; son David and family; son Masha and family; daughter Keila and family; Shewach Mendel wife Chaiya-Sarah and children Shewach Moshe Gershon and family; son Mendel; wife Chaiya-Sarah and children; Shimon "The Pirer"; daughter Leah and family Shewach Moshe Reuben wife Malka; son Zeidl Shewach Ruvin wife and children Shewach Shmuel-father and wife; daughter Bobl; daughter Leitcheh Shewach Yidl son Zeidl and wife Chana and children; daughter Etkeh and husband Akiba Shewach see Motl Leib pictures; R' Yehuda Shebach David, son of Leizer Shebach 402 Keila, daughter of Leizer Shebach 411 Dora Shebach with a friend Founders of Zionist Movement in Piesk Seated left to right: 2. Leiby Lonsky 4. Henya Etzkovitzm. Teacher Zeidl Shebach. Standing left to right: 1. Ekhezkal Lisovsky, 2. Betty Eitzkovitz, 3. Mishka Shebach, Eitzl Shapiro Chaim Shebach Elka Shebach Moshe Mendel son of Israel Shebach click for pictures - Sunday, June 22, 2003 at 15:28:13 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Svir list of perished; Ginzberg, Eliahu Moshe Ginzberg, Chaya Ginzberg, Shimcha Feiga Ginzberg, Ginzberg, Dvora Ginzberg, Chaim Hershel Ginzberg, Diska Ginzberg, Feigela Ginzberg, Sheindel Ginzberg, Dvora Leah .. - Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 16:05:43 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My name is Hanny I am the daughter of Yaacov Kaplan from Israel.He grew up in a small village next to Krasne in Bellarus ,called Rechucioszina (about 1-1.5 km) from Krasne ,we can not find any mention of it and will be happy to know if you can may be assist us with it also we would like to add my fathers familly to the Krasne sight if we will not be able to find the village,how can we add information about the familly? Thank you best regards, Hanny . - Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 15:53:00 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yaakov Kaplan’s family[some information are from a phone call to Yaakov and his daughter; Hanny in Israel 6-21-2003] Dvora and Yaakov David Ginsburg lived in Dolhinov. They were born c 1860. Their children; 1. Chaim Zvi Ginsburg moved to Swir and had a store there. He had three children; Zipora (born c 1921), Sheina (born 1922) and Dvora . The entire family perished in Swir. 2. Eliyahu Moshe Ginsburg also moved to Swir and had a store there. He had Simcha who ws born in 1922, Dvora and Yakov, They perished in Swir. 3. Feyga Dvush nee Ginsburg married Baynish Ginsburg {his mother; Roda was born c 1856}They had son ; David who was born c 1925 in Dolhinov and daughter ; Dvora ws born c 1933. David survived the war and wrote about it in the Dolhinov Yizkor book page 424.In 1945 he found out that his cousin ; Yakov Kaplan survived and he is stationed in the same town [Lignitz] nd he is a Major. They met and after they were both done with their army service [in 1950] they came to Israel via France. He died about four years ago in Rishon Letzion. The rest of the family perished in Dolhinov.. 4. Sheina nee Ginsburg Lifshitz moved to Sau Paulo, Brazil before the war. She had a daughter; Dvora. Dvora kept in touch with Yakov Kaplan but he did not hear from her in the last few years. 5. Chana Chaya [born in Dolhinov in 1888] nee Ginsburg married Abba Kaplan [born in Dolhinov in 1886] in 1903. They had; Zipora born in 1912 in Dolhinov she mde Aliya to Israel before the war and lived in Kibbutz Afek. Miryam was born in 1917, Yaakov in 1922, Shlomo in 1924, Dvora in 1925, Bela in 1929 and Ytka in 1936. The family moved to a place near Krasne and all other then Yaakov *and Zipora perished there on March 17, 1943. 6. Shalom Shachna Ginsburg joined his daughter [Alsha Chorgin] in Detroit in the early 1920s. Yakov Kaplan met his cousin Alasha in 1971 while he was sent by Israel to the U.S and he was received very graciously and felt very close to her. She was much older then him [ maybe 90 years old] She had four children [three sons and a daughter] *Yaakov Kaplan was born in 1922, in the townlet of Dolhinow, his parents moved to Krasne in his youth. The family owned an estate, which was used by the Zionist youth movements to train their member in agriculture in preparation for settlement in Palestine. As the son of Zionist parents, he was educated in the "Tarbut" school system, and he hoped to continue his higher education, but the German - Polish War destroyed his plans. With the division of Poland between Germany and the USSR, overnight he found himself under Russian rule, and with a high school education, he was appointed as a supervisor of construction, a post he had almost until the German - Russian War in 1941. In May, 1941, he was recruited into the Red Army, and stationed with the Engineering Battalion #981, in the Armored Force of General Lelushenko, located in the Daugavpils (Dvinsk) area of Latvia, where he was given an accelerated military training course. Military Service On June 26, 1941, immediately after Germany attacked the USSR, he engaged in his first bloody battle against the German conqueror near Daugavpils, and from this point there began the terrible, hasty, disorganized Russian retreat that resulted in horrible losses of manpower and equipment. Every Russian attempt to cease the retreat and half the enemy was quickly shattered, and at a great price. They were forced to abandon Valeika - Luki, Ostshkov, Turupetz, and Salizrov, one after another, and when they were in Satriya - Russa, the Germans encircled them, leaving a few weak and hungry survivors. Realizing that as a Jew, his situation was even more precarious, he succeeded despite the danger, to sever his connection with his group, and to escape encirclement. He reached the Belgoya area on the main highway from Moscow to Leningrad. In September, 1941, all those who originated from the western territories that had been annexed by the Russians in 1939, and whose loyalty was suspect were transferred eastward, and there they were assigned to labor - battalions. Yaakov belonged to Battalion 394, and so he was joined to military operation 183. He was appointed head of the communications apparatus on one of the factories that was evacuated from Kharkov, and was engaged in the manufacture of was equipment. When Yaakov learned of the formation of a military force of Polish expatriates, though still vague, and the murder of Jews by Germans in the areas vanquished by them, he decided to leave his job, which was far from the front, and he and a group of other Jews traveled to Tashkent, determined to enlist and fight against the Germans, the murderers of their brothers. They saw no justification for avoidance of danger and remaining in a secure place; their conscience demanded that they volunteer and enlist for army service. They arrived at Jambol in Kazakhstan, where they enlisted, and Yaakov was sent to Riazin for officers training school. In December, 1943, he became an officer and was dispatched with a group, the First Polish Parachutist Battalion, where they were subordinate to the partisan movement headquarters - "The Ludova Army.", and in a short time he was appointed Company Commander. In August, 1944, while still in Valamus, Yaakov began dispatching to the rear of the German Front, crews of parachutists that were trained under him, and they carried out very bold sabotage actions. With the front advancing, they came to Rowne, whence Yaakov, with the approval of headquarters, sent crews of parachutists on very dangerous missions, in which he personally participated. These crews succeeded in eliminating German units, suddenly appearing at their rear in surprise attacks, causing confusion and departing. Their purpose was to arouse insecurity in the hearts of the Germans and to annihilate them. After the liberation of Warsaw, Yaakov continued in the framework of the First Army of the Polish People's Army, as a Company Commander - his participation on the battle front, and especially in the Sandomierz area, ceased at the German Border, because it was decided to transfer his company to bat! tle the national Ukrainians, who collaborated with the Germans in the liquidation of the ghettos. It was in their destruction, that Yaakov saw an act of revenge for the spilling of his brothers' blood, and he completed his service in the Polish Army as a Deputy Head of the "Officers' Training School." Courtesy of: Simon Wiesenthal Center Los Angeles, CA 90035 I will write about the Kaplan side of the family [also originated in Dolhinov] later. Eilat . - Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 15:46:46 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stephen Coleman . Abraham Lapides b: Abt. 1822 in Haradok, Belarus d: Unknown in Belarus ? . +Shosheh Raizal (Susie) Unknown b: Abt. 1827 in Lithuania/Belarus d: Unknown in Belarus ? Married: in Belarus ? 2 Dvora (Doba) Lapides b: 1847 in Haradok, Belarus d: 1911 in Canton, OH 2 Beila (Bessie) Lapides b: Abt. 1850 in Haradok, Belarus d: 17 3 Rose Sapiro b: Abt. 1877 in Haradok, Belarus ? d: Abt. 1961 in Sunland, CA . - Friday, June 20, 2003 at 19:47:29 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My cousins that fell on the battlefield: Mula Malkin fell on the way from Krasno to his Partisan unit, . - Friday, June 20, 2003 at 19:09:44 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What my eyes have seen by Pnina Hayat nee Potashnik Translated by M. Porat 1941; The Soviets left Volozhyn in haste. The Germans entered the town without any resistance. The first sign of the Germans in the area was the unit of parachutists that descended near our home. Armed forces entered the town shortly after. The constant air bombing set the town on fire. We were immediately forced to participate in various hard labor chores. The principal forced labor sites were the Polak's & Rapoport-Perelman's saw-mills. The women cleaned the Gestapo lodgments. We walked to work in groups. As soon as we would arrive they would start thrashing us with whips. We were ordered to put yellow patches on our sleeves. With time it changed to a yellow Star of David with the word “Jude” in the middle. We were forbidden to use the sidewalk. We had to walk in the middle of the road like horses. They ordered us to move into a designated Ghetto area. Shortly after enclosing the Volozhyn Jews in the Ghetto the Germans pushed inside its fence also the Jews of Olshan with their town-Rabbi. The congestion became unbearable. We were very deficient in nourishments. Bringing food inside the Ghetto was difficult and dangerous. From time to time the bandits harassed the ghetto inhabitants. They encroached into our lodgment and beat us mercilessly demanding money and valuables. On October 28ththe Gestapo ordered us to assemble on the Ghetto Street. All the inhabitants were forced to come. They chose some 200 people and enclosed them into the cinema local. Leading them on the walk to the cinema area was Yani Garber, the Judenrat Head. He was told that they are all taken to work. However they were all led by groups of ten to the adjacent sport square and shot to death. Zviya Lunin was among the conveyed to die, but she survived. The Nazis let her free. The quota, as they said, was completed. This time the German accuracy saved a Jewish life (not for long). After that “First Action” the ghetto area was reduced. Shneur Kivelevitsh was elected as the Judenrat Head. Many months passed and then some tormenting news reached the ghetto. The Germans geared up for a new slaughter. Rivka Dratvitski's husband, a gentile, who was friendly with the Jews, brought the information. Thanks to him many people were saved. Sunday, May 10th, 1942, at five in the morning Shneur Kivelevitsh appeared in our home and told us that the ghetto is surrounded. He advised every one to hide. The Germans enclosed the ghetto and meticulously looked for the Jews. They killed on the spot those who were found and refused to expose friends or relatives hiding places. My brother Yehuda, Osher (Itshe Bers) Perski, his son Ruvke and I, decided to run away. We passed the Volozhynka stream near the bridge and concealed ourselves in a grove. Some local Christians chased us. We could hear them saying that they are looking for us. When they left, I walked to Horodok; Osher Perski with his son to went to Zabrezhe. The Jews I met in the Horodok Ghetto were in a very agitated spirit. They just heard about the recent mass slaughter in Volozhyn. After the “second Action” the Volozhyn authorities reduced the ghetto area and enclosed inside the remaining little group of Jews. They assured them that the rest would work and be safe. I believed this false promise and returned home. I worked with some Jewish girls, among them Miriam Kagan and Rachel from Mejeyk, in a carpenter's team. Our manager was Yezierski. Once, as we were ready to return to the ghetto, we realized that the Germans were surrounding the ghetto, and some Jews were running out of the gate. We threw away the yellow patches and looked for a place to hide. The Germans shot at us and killed ten girls. Miryam Kagan and I hid in a wheat field. At night we went in the Mejeyk direction. After a lot of wandering we arrived in the Kaldiki hamlet. We knocked at a peasant's door and implored him to give us some nourishment. We were swollen from hunger. Despite the fact that they were poor they shared their food with us. We walked through the hamlet and deciding that we have nothing to lose. We knocked at a door of another remote house. A peasant opened the door, led us into the adjacent barn and locked the door. After a couple of frightful hours the landlord opened the barn and invited us to his house. It was a single room house with two big beds, a broken table and an oven. Here lived the Righteous Gentile Ivan Kovalski with his family: wife, three daughters and two sons. This poor family received us cheerfully and with unusual warmth. They cried with tears seeing our wretched appearance. After we warmed our frozen bodies and had a hot meal, they equipped us with blankets and led us back to the barn. It happened at Saturday evening, November 14th1942. On Sunday morning we were served with a breakfast. We left some food to take away, being sure that Kovalski will expel us. At noon he came in and seeing the food remnants he asked us “Why?”. We answered: “We are sure that you would not hide Jewish girls much longer. You are endangering the life of your entire family. For that reason we decided to go our way”. Kovalski, offended by our answer, said: “ Dear girls, my family and I, we decided to let you live with us. Your fate is our fate, our home is your home”. It was a very cold winter. We froze in the barn. Kovalski, the good soul, invited us in his house to conceal us upon the oven. It was a not aired, a very hot place. Kovalski used to lead us every day for a couple of hours into the potatoes cellar to breath some air. The children cooperated with their parents, and at danger, they warned us with agreed signs. One day German soldiers encircled the Krazhina hamlet, some 500 meters from us. They assembled all the hamlet inhabitants, spilled kerosene, set fire and burned all of them. They did it as revenge. Some partisans killed Germans soldiers, and took their retreat through Krazhina. Kovalski was conscious of the danger that awaited him and us. But he did not abandon us, on the contrary, as a good softhearted father he calmed and encouraged us. However I had a premonition that we are in danger staying at this house. Partisans were very active in the near by area. Fights and shootings broke from time to time. The Kovalskis asked and begged us to stay. But we decided to go. Kovalski made some journeys in the surrounding communities looking for traces of the Partisans. He found a troop of Partisans and brought us to them. They were hostile, suspecting us as agents of the German intelligence services. They arranged a quick trial and convicted us to death. Before the execution hour approached a Krazhina partisan asked us who we were and from where we came. When I told him my name, he informed me that my brother Yehuda Yosef Potashnik is serving as a partisan near by. The Krazhina partisan told his commander that I am a well-known partisan's sister and he tore the paper with the verdict. I was transferred with Mariyasha Kagan to Baksht. There were many active partisan units in the area. My brother Yehuda Yosef took me to the Lidayev partisan unit, in the Nalibok forest. After some days the Germans surrounded the entire area. We hid in pits and other hiding places. When they left we concentrated in an outlying corner of the Nalibok forests. We established there a winter camp in which we lived until the Volozhyn liberation. After the liberation we returned to Volozhyn. I went to see Kovalski. The relations between us tightened. He visited us every day. His son and daughter worked in town and dwelled in my house. In 1945 I left Volozhyn to Poland. In 1947 I made Aliya. All that time I wrote letters to Kovalski but I had no answers. In 1966 I received his address. Kovalski with his family lived in Ural. Without delay I sent him a vestments package. He confirmed with joy its reception and sent his thanks. Since then we correspond and I send him and his family members presents, thanking this noble man for saving my life. . - Friday, June 20, 2003 at 18:57:37 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bronia (Breine) nee Kur Rabinovitz Story Breine is the daughter of Rivka, daughter of Alexander Volozhinski from Volozhin (Rivkas’ mother Mtya was from the Bunimovitz family of Volozhin). Breines’ father was Mordechai Kur who’s’ father was a well-respected scribe (writer of Torah books) in Vileyka; (Koor). Rabbi yakov Landu Z”L ABD bnai Brak wrote about Yehoshua Kur in the yizkor book for kurenets; ‘…Amongst the shoemakers I must tell about Moshe Kur the Shoemaker from Dolhinov Street. He was a spiritual Jew and would read with excitement from the Torah. He was also a Kadainov Hasid. His father was Reb Yeoshua, the writer from Vileyka. The son of Moshe, Shlomo Chaim studied Torah in our minyan, and when he arrived at the age where he would be taken to the army, he escaped and went to London. His last name was Koor and from what I heard he became a Hazan in one of the synagogues in London, where he later passed away…”* The parents of Breine came from very respected religious families and a matchmaker arranged their marriage as the custom of Jews in 1900. The relatives from the groom side said that Rivka did not come to the marriage with the appropriate dowry but she had other qualities to compensate for it. The oldest boy; Avraham was born in 1910, Eliezer was born in He was “Tamid Chacham” a Yeshiva “Bachur”. A distant cousin; Arie Shevach remembers that there was a time when Eliezer had to serve in the Polish army c 1937. He was station near Krasne and the rabbi of Krasne ordered the family to prepare Kosher food for Eliezer and he would deliver it to Eliezer everyday. Arie was about 12 years old and was getting ready for his Bar Mitzva and Eliezer helped him with some of his studies. Breine attended the TARBUT school in Horodok. All the subjects [other the mandatory class in the Polish language] were instructed in HEBREW. Breine also attended the tuition free Polish public school for a few years. . After the Soviets took control of the area in September of 1939 and instituted a communist rule in the area Breine.'s oldest sister; Leyka, who owned a coffee store in Horodok knew that she would be classified unfavorably as ‘capitalist” so she moved to Vileyka. Vileyka, one of the region's main towns, became an important place for the Soviet municipal authorities and She worked for them. When the German invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941 The Soviet officers and official evacuated the area and crossed by trains the old border (the pre 1939 Poland/ Soviet union border) . Some of them insisted that Breine's sister, along with other Jews in the town who worked for the Soviets, left with them because they knew what the impending German invasion would mean for them. (in some cases the Soviet officials actually pushed Jews they encountered around town onto departing trains without leaving them a moment to return to their homes and families. One Jewish woman, Dora Rabinovitz told me that that she came to Vileyka to work that day wearing a light summer dress and, by chance, carrying a picture of her family in her pocket. She was pushed onto a train and sent to the cold of Russia for more then two years and was the only member of her family to survive E. D) Breine.'s brother Eliezer was studying in a yeshiva in Poland. In 1939, when the area was given to the Soviets the whole yeshiva received illegally acquired papers from the Japanese ambassador, or assistant to the Japanese ambassador in Lithuania. With these papers, the residents of the yeshiva were allowed to immigrate to China before the German invasion. In China, Breine.'s brother contacted their other brother back in the area of Horodok who subsequently traveled all the way to China so as to bring him back to Poland, where he would later perish in German hands. (He might have never left for China, his brother might have taken him from Lithuania back to Horodok the Soviets would never let anyone without papers go all the way to China and back the papers were very very hard to obtain) During the German occupation Breine and her family first went to a former Christian neighbor and asked him to hide them. However, because they had previously given him their possessions for safe keeping, he was loathe to the idea of saving those who may later ask for his newly acquired, albeit on loan, goods. So, when they asked to be let in, he threatened to kill them . Breine and the rest of the family escaped the killing in Horodok and came to the krasne ghetto. Most of the Jews in the krasne ghetto came from towns that were already annihilated. Every time before they annihilated a community, they chose a few Jews who could be useful and transferred them to Krasne. The place was chosen as a supply base for the Germans, where materiel was relayed to and from the front, including a large amount of weapons captured from the Soviets. Thousands of Jews worked in construction, in loading and unloading goods, and in other logistical support positions. Since the ghetto could not contain thousands of workers, the Germans established a labor camp, and they continuously brought Jews from neighboring towns after each action. As in other ghettoes and camps, there was a Jewish committee or Judenrat. At the head of the Krasne Judenrat was Shabtai Oryuk. During the First World War he had been a POW in Germany for a few years and learned to speak German fluently. Shaptai Olyuk and the brothers of the Kaplan house, Yitzhak and Moshe. . Breine and her family believed that working for the Germans will save them. She worked with other Jewish women and children to lay new train tracks. German soldiers routinely routed out and murdered Jews who were weaker or more feeble than the rest. The food given daily to the Jews who worked for the Germans consisted of one piece of bread with marmalade, and on occasion, a soup made from discarded potato peals. Often, the garbage of non-Jews was served to the Jews as food. Once, B. saw the German soldiers throw a live dog into the soup they were serving and then forced the Jews who had witnessed the event to eat the soup. At another time, a Jewish child returned to ask for an extra helping of soup. Instead of granting his request, the German soldiers put the child into the boiling soup. On one occasion, she spotted some moldy bread in the garbage and treasuring it, picked it out of the trash, eating a little and saving the rest for her family. Some German soldiers saw her and abused her for taking the bread. There was one Jew from Horodak who would tell the Germans which Jews were wealthy, in hopes of being spared by the soldiers. Nevertheless, the German soldiers later killed him Breine and her family thought that the Germans needed them as workers so they worked very hard because they thought it would be their ticket to survive. At one point they realized that they should go into hiding in a hidden ditch they had dug for that purpose. Many Jews resorted to living in ditches to escape the Germans. The ditches varied in size - some holding five, others ten, and still others, up to twenty people. Often ditches were designated for different age, and gender groups. While they were in hiding in the ditch and fearful of the German soldiers they knew were near, one of the young girls (about 10 years old) in the ditch with B. and her family started crying for water. A man in the ditch started choking her to silence her. B. Prevented him from killing the girl by pushing him away and placing her hands over the girl's mouth. The young girl is now a doctor in the U.S.. They had large amounts of gold and while hiding out in the ditch, they decided that the best thing to do would be to offer the wealth to the Germans in return for a promise of security. B was on her way to deliver the gold and solicit such a promise when Zemitre, a Christian from the village, came to her and challenged the logic of her mission. He said, "Are you crazy? Why are you going back to them? They're killing everyone." He then took Breine to his barn and hid her in the area used for storing hay, where she remained for a week. Breine's family didn't know what had happened to her after she left the ditch. Although everyone left the ditch while Breine was still missing, her family, because they were worried about her whereabouts returned to look for her. Tragically, her family was killed upon their return while the rest of the people who had left the ditch survived. A neighbor of the Christian who had saved Breine had also taken the risk of hiding a fugitive Jew. When the other neighbors found out they attacked and killed him, and burnt down his house. After this incident, Breine's host was afraid and forced her to leave. For a time she hid where she could, moving from place to place, and eating what she could find, including grass and garbage. One farmer who was out searching for eggs in his yard discovered Breine in hiding. He immediately knew who she must be. Terrified, she told him that she knew the location of a large quantity of gold and promised to lead him to it, should he chose to spare her from the Germans. The farmer told her to that he did not need her gold, he will help her but she must wait where she was and left since this occurred shortly after they sloutherred the Jews of Krasne many of the Jewish bodies were left in different areas were they were killed and the Germans were worried that disease would spread yet they did not want to touch the remains and all their Jewish slave workers were killed by them they ordered the local population to get rid of the budies and the man was ordered to do it. B. was certain that he had gone to fetch German soldiers. However, after ten minutes the farmer's wife appeared and offered B. a bowl of soup and a spoon. B. hadn't eaten in a long time, and ravished with hunger, drank the soup straight from the bowl. The farmer's wife cried to seeing her desperate condition. Breine stayed with the farmer and his wife, living exclusively in their barn for one week. She remained in hiding in the barn because there were many Germans in the area. She was never allowed in the house. Later, they made her a nanny to their children, although she continued to sleep in the barn. Most of the neighbors were never aware of her because of the lengths that B. and the family went to in keeping her presence a secret. Through rumors that had spread among the non-Jewish farming residents of the area, Isaac Noll, a Jewish member of the partisans, found out that there was a Jewish girl surviving alone in the area. (B. remarks that it was amazing that the residents had not yet turned her in). Isaac asked them where they could find her and they told her Maruska Kamarouski had her staying with him. The partisans Months before the German troops began slaughtering the Jews in KRASNE, many young Jewish men realized what was about to transpire and escaped deep into the surrounding forest where they joined forces with partisan groups already established by Soviets, and especially former Soviet prisoners of war who had been treated as badly as the Jews under the Germans. Together, they began ambushing and killing German soldiers. Much of the local population was afraid of the partisans because the partisans made it clear that anyone found collaborating with the Germans would be killed. When B. initially tried to join the partisans they would not accept her because she came empty handed. However, a younger first cousin of hers (his father was the brother of Breine's mother), Mayer Vol (previously known as Volojinski) ambushed a German and stole his weapon, which he then gave to B. so that she would be accepted in by the partisans. Now this cousin lives in Windsor, Canada. Breine. returned armed to the partisans, who let her in, and Breine became a member of the Atriad Staritsky. This group of partisans hid out in the forest between the towns of Baranovic and Volozhin, remaining closer to latter. Breine stayed in the forest for one and half years. After staying for awhile with the partisans she came to understand that the Germans were losing the war because, for the first time, she had access to radio broadcasting, and in 1944 they began seeing Allied planes fly overhead. Breine didn't fight with the partisans, but facilitated their goals in other ways, tending to the livestock and helping out with the cooking. After the war she received medals for her participation in the resistance, but hadn't killed anyone and so felt as though she didn't deserve them. Breine felt that Jews and Soviets alike were treated equally within the partisan ranks and generally, got along well. She does recall one instance, however, when a Jew by the name of Fole Parovsky went to town to find food with two Soviets, and never returned. The two Soviets claimed he had been killed by German soldiers. However, one partisan by the name of Jaunsh didn't believe their story and started investigating only to find that the Soviets had killed Fole. The partisans had a trial and found one of the Soviets guilty. He was subsequently killed. Breine can only speculate on his motivation, but believes it may have been anti-Semitism. However, this was a rare case. In the evenings, the partisans would make communal fires and sit around and sing together. They would sing so loudly and happily that Breine would be afraid that the German soldiers would find them. However, her cousin Isaac reassured her that they were too scared of the partisans to come to the forest that was controlled by the Russian partisans. Once the partisans caught a German soldier. This particular German soldier was a special target of their anger because he carried with him numerous photographs of Jews he had killed, (They used to send the pictures to Germany) They ordered everyone to watch while they killed him. Breine covered her face, refusing to watch. However, her cousin chided her, telling her she was crazy to feel any sympathy to Germans who mercilessly killed so many Jews. There was a woman named Yokha Rubenshik from Minsk who was a partisan member. When the Germans packed the Jews into train cars to be killed, she and her siblings where among those on the train. Yokha, realizing what their fate must be, pushed her younger brother out of the train. He eventually survived the war and became a dentist. She survived because she worked for the Germans and then escaped. Later, she joined the partisans and was sent by them back to Minsk where she recruited twelve more Jews. Together, this fugitive band removed their stars of David and escaped. However, while they were escaping a German soldier came by. Yokha approached him and spoke to him Russian, knowing that he would recognize her Yiddish accent if she spoke in German. She acted very self-assured and invited the German to eat with her. She emphasized that she had ham to eat and told him to meet her at a particular place and time later that evening. Meanwhile, the other Jews escaped. Towards the end of the war, when the Germans were clearly losing, a boy from Minsk named Moshe managed to round up thirty Germans who thought they were surrendering and would be made POWs. When the commanders told the partisans that the area was free of German troops, forty Jewish partisans decided to re-enter the city of Volozhin, the closest town. Upon returning they found that many homes and been burnt down and destroyed. Also, this town, previously famous for its large Jewish population had been repopulated by Christians. When the Christians saw that Jews were returning they began to weep and were afraid. However, the group of forty Jews were still scared to disband and live separately, and so they re-occupied only three houses in the town. Because there were so few Jews that had survived the war, this group of survivors became like family to one another. It was while staying in this house that Breine met her husband to be. He had spent the war as a soldier in the Red Army in Russia, although he was originally from Breine's hometown of Horodok. As soon as he heard that his home region had been freed by the Red Army, he boarded a train and returned. When he had left for Russia he left behind a wife and two children, who were to perish in the Holocaust. His first wife's name was Blumke, she was a beautiful woman (one of her brothers survived the war and lives iin Israel). Because of her beauty, the Germans wanted to take her to work for them and send her children to be killed, but she insisted on accompanying her children. Everyone knew this story about Blumke and her children and so were able to tell her husband what had happened when they eventually met up with him upon his return. Breine's future husband returned to find Christians living in his old house. As soon as they saw him, one of the Christians went to look for an axe with which to kill him. Understanding what they were about to do, Breine's future husband jumped out of a window in the house and went for the Soviet police. After this incident, he was too afraid to ask any Christians about what had happened to his family, and couldn't find any Jews in the town. However, he did eventually learn that there were a few Jews living in Volozhin. When he arrived in Volozhin and met Bronia, he immediately asked her to marry him. Since Bronia had come from a religious family she had never looked at another man before him. After getting married they stayed in Volozhin for one year and began selling things from a horse and carriage. Breine's first son was born there. However, like all the other Jews living in Volozhin, Bronia and her husband wanted to leave. All of a sudden, Breine's sister who had traveled on a train to Siberia before the German invasion, returned. Her sister had written a letter to a Christian neighbor named Yokobovsky inquiring about her family. Breine happened to return to Horodok with her husband to visit and was given the letter. She responded to her sister's letter from Kemarov, Siberia, writing that the rest of the family had died, but not to grieve because she was still alive. Upon getting the letter, her sister fainted and was taken to the hospital where she spent two months. After recovering, she returned to Volozhin with a Jewish man she had met in Siberia, and lived with Breine. and her husband. Shortly after they arrived in Volozhin they decided to leave for Germany. From Germany they believed they would be able to travel to other countries. They had terrible associations with the town of Volozhin and the surrounding area and couldn't wait to leave. However, when they arrived in Germany they found themselves marooned in refugee camps for a year and a half, which, compared to other fellow refugees, was a short time. As refugees, however, they were allowed to stay in real homes and apartments, which had previously been inhabited by members of the SS. Part of the problem was that no country wanted to accept them. Although they received free food and goods from the U.S., they were barred from emigrating there. B.'s husband said he didn't want to go to the U.S. anyway and preferred instead to move to Israel where he felt there would be more of an assurance that what had happened to them in Poland would not reoccur. Eventually they were able to travel on a ship named the Queen Anna Maria to Israel. In Israel they lived first in a refugee camp named Binyamina in very difficult conditions in tents. Later, they settled in Brandeis in Israel I received emails form other members of the family; Dear Eilat Wonderful to hear Breines story My grandfather - Shlomo Hayim, son of Moshe and cousin of Breine had family both in England and in Russia Shlomo Hayim had 4 children Marie - married name Coleman - Stephen's mother Henry- my father Hanna - married name Mather Lily/Leah- married name Broza I moved to Israel from England about 25 years ago. I live in Efrat about 20 minutes from Jerusalem but work in Jerusalem and commute every day. I have an elder brother Shlomo who lives in Petach Tikva near Tel Aviv and a younger brother Jonathan who lives with my mother in Netanya. My parents came to Israel in 1983 to retire. My father passed away in 1988. Danny Koor Eilat My cousin Danny Koor has been in contact with you, and has sent me all the details he has received from you so far. We share the same grandfather Shlomo Chayim, or Solomon Koor as he was known in England. My late mother Marie, and Danny's late father Henry were brother and sister, together with 2 surviving sisters Hannah and Lily. The family lived initially in the East End of London, moving to Notting Hill in the 1920's, where my grandfather eventually became minister of Notting Hill Synagogue until he died in May 1946. Stephen Coleman . . - Friday, June 20, 2003 at 09:10:13 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Belarus SIG members attending the 23rd IAJGS Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Washington D.C. (July 20-25, 2003) So far, the following 85 people (or couples) have signed up Name Towns Surnames ATKINS, Harold Senno, Orsha, Upyna, Telsiai EITINGON, ATKINS, SEGAL BELINKOFF, Adar Gomel BELINKOFF BERG, Sandra Brest Litovski WANDER, ZILBERBERG, UNTERMAN BISHOW, Marlene Wolpa, Ivye, Grodno GOLDSTEIN, PETT, SINGER BOONIN, Harry Slutsk District ASSOFSKY, BERKOWITZ, TSIPALEYEV BOXER, Judy Grodno WEINSTEIN BRILL, David Usvyaty, Shklov BRIL\', LEVIN, ALEINIKOV BROWN, Janet Slonim, Smorgon, Minsk, Pinsk TRILNI(C)K, MOLCHOTSKY,SMARGON,FRIEDLANDER CARVER, Tina Soski, Minsk KAPLAN CAUGHLAN, Jenny Suwalki, Ciechanowiec, Budapest, Nagy Oroszi, Becshke, Berlin KAUFER, STEINER, SOLL/SOLE, PHILLIPS/FILIPOWSKI, HEKSCH, LENGYEL, HAAS COHEN, Jay Piaski, Volkovysk KAGAN, YEZERSKY, YERSZKI, JESIERSKI COHODAS, Alvin Naroch CHODASH DARDASHTI, Schelly Talalay Mogilev, All Belarus, All Russia, Worldwide TALALAY DESHUR, Penny Minsk FONDILLER D\'ALMEIDA, Franck Grodno, Vilnius ZOLTY EASTON, Glenn Minsk EPSTEIN EGAN, Shana Kobryn, Brest Litovsk, Kamenets, Divin, Bialystok RITZENBERG, DAITCH, KAPLAN, MESSYNG, SHAMES EPSTEIN, Ruth+moshe Pinsk,korelitch,mir SAUBERMAN,SCHIFFMAN,OBRINSKY FEARER, Mark Volozhin, Lyskava, Volkevysk, Ruzhany RAGOVIN, PINKAUSOVICH, CHERNICHOFF FELDMAN, Rose Mscibow, Ruzhany, Kosovo EPSTEIN, BYARSKY, ILLIVITSKY (ELIVITSKY), KAPLAN FIBEL, Harriet & Joseph Werenow, Radun OLKENITZKY FINE, Ernie Minsk BAKSTANSKY, SLONIMSKY FISHKIN, Jewel Bobruisk-Mintz-Volosyn-Olshony-Krasne FISHKIN-SKLUT-KAPLAN-WOLCHEK=MATLIN=BRUDNER FOX, David Minsk, Mogilev TSIVIN, FEITELSON, SHENDEROV, RABINOWITZ FOX, Judith KOENIG Korma, Bychov,Mogilev,Seletz GLICKLIN, KARASIK, BAEVSKY,WILENSKY,SCHNEERSON,PLOTKIN, YAMNITSKY FRANKL, Rhea Borisov, Zembin, Lahoisk FEITELSON, BACHRACH, KATZMAN GALLARD, Cindy Skrigalovo, Petrikov, Osovets,Romanovka LOBATCH GLICKSBERG, Ruth Miedzyrzec,Wegrow,Warsaw,Pultusk GLICKSBERG,GLUCKSBERG GOLDBERG, Nancy Minsk, Slutsk, Derbent ROSOVSKY, RUDEVITSKY, SCHAEFFER, GALENSON, LEVINE GOLDSMITH, Judith Nesvizh, Taraspol, Chisinau STOLIAR, MIRMOVITCH, YATZKEVICH, LEIVOV GOLDSMITH, Susan Novyy Sverzhen, Stolbtsy, Yasevich, Mir, Dolginovo TOBIAS, ROZANSKY, HOROWICZ, DROZNAN GORDON, Judith Motol, Minsk, Pinsk SOKOLOV. KAHN, COHEN, NACHMAN, LURIA, SHAPIRO GREENBERG, Roslyn Zirmuny, Lida, Voronovo, Divenishkes ROGATNICK, ZIRMUNSKY, KALMANOWITZ, MOLCHADSKY GREENMAN, Linda Antopol GREENMAN, RESNICK HANIT, Kevin Derechin, Baranovici, Ruzhany CHERVYATITSKY, ABELOVICH, KLETSKIN, LEVITT, GRACHUK HENKIN, Hilary Mogilev, Orsha, Kopys GENKIN, BELIITSKI, BERLIN HIRSCHHORN, Donald And Sandra Retchetsa, Berezeno PASSOV, RAFALCZECH HIRSCHHORN, Donald Retchitsa Gomel PASSOFF,ITZKOOWITZ HIRSCHHORN, Sandra Berezeno, Minsk, Igumen RAFALCHEK, KARPEI, PODOLNIK HOLDEN, Nancy Myadel, Kobylnik, Mscibow, GORDON, KRIVITSKY, HORWITZ, KALER HOLTZMAN, Alvin Pinsk, Galati, Dorohoi HOLTZMAN, PERLOW, GLOBERMAN, POLLACK, ZARITSKY, HOROVITZ, BRAUNSTEIN KAPLAN, Rochelle Kopyl, Slutsk (belarus); Sambor, Vinnytsa, Brailov (ukraine); Riga, Bauska (latvia); Kraziai (lithuania); Piesk; KAPLAN, BREGMAN, RAPOPORT (BELARUS); SCHRECKINGER, KARP, APFELZUS, RICHTER (SAMBOR); GERSON (LATVIA); ZAKS (LITHUANIA); LIPSON, LERNER (VINNYTSA); LEBOWSKY, LUBOV (PIESK) KARSEN, Mike Minsk Gubernia, Haradisht YNAKELOVICH, SHEPSOLOVICH KROM, Harold Slutsk / Gomel BUNIN / TITINSKY KRONGOLD, Judith Mir, Lubtch, Turets, Bielsk, Vladimir Volynsk WILENSKY, TREMBITSKY, BLOOM, KRONGOLD LEVINE, Michael Logoysk, Smolivichi, Minsk LEVINE, RELYUSHCHIN, SEGALOWITZ, GOLDFARB LEVY, Mike Slonim BUBLACKA, MINKOWICK MARKEL, Beatrice Vileyka, Dalhinov, Vilna KAGAN,KAHAN,ZAPODNIK MASLOV, Freya Blitstein Suchawolya, Grodno KRAMER, SOKOLSKY MENDELOW, Aubrey Tsuraki, Starosselje AXELROD, HOROWITZ, KATZENELSON, KAZENELENBOGEN, EISENSTADT MESHENBERG, Mike Nesvizh, Chomsk ZATURENSKY, TEVYANSKY, ELLMAN MUSIKAR, Barbara Slonim, Kobrin, Brest SAMSONOWITZ, KLEMPNER, NEMOY, Estelle Gomel GARELICK/GORELICK NEUBAUER, Selma Oshmyany HOROWITZ AND BOSH OKNER, Ben Borbruisk CHERTOV, RABKIN OLKEN, Deb Werenow OLKENITZKY PAULIN, Gladys Friedman Kalinkovichi, Bragin, Yurevichi, Tulgovichi, Mozyr MINEVICH, RAICHMAN, GUTMAN, RAZHEVSKY, LEVIK PEARLMAN, SUSAN Bialystok, Minsk, Porozowa, Szereszewo, Wolpa SZEJNMAN, JASKOLKA, MALETSKY, KOSLOVSKY, WISHNIATSKY, PEARLMAN POLLERO, Shelley Kobrin, Vitebsk TENENBAUM, KAGAN, LEKHERZAK POSNICK, Mike Budslavy, Dolginovo, Drogiczn, Kobrin, Kopyl, Minsk, Mir, Novyy Sverzhen, Timkovichi EHRLICH, FRIEDMAN, GOLOVENCHITS, KOSOWSKY, POZNIAK, ROZIN, SHERMAN, SHULKIN, SZTEYNBERG, ZELEVYANSKY REDLICH, Rita Svir SYKEN RHODE, Harold Dolginovo, Vileika Uyezd AXELROD, RUBIN, SHUMAN RILEY, Gayle Minsk, Timikovichi, Uslion LEVIN, GARFINKEL, COHEN,SAHAPIRO ROCK, Jeffrey Bereza, Bluden, Brest ROG, ROCK ROSENBAUM, Edward Lunna, Porozovo, Slonim, Sverzhen AGINSKI, BELLER, GRUNDFAST, GRUNDFEST, SILVERBLATT ROSOW, Emma Haradok, Rudnya MINKOFF, GUSINSKY RUBENSTEIN, Herbert Vitebsk LEVIT SALTMAN, Joanne Slonim, Kozlovshchina, Lida SALT(Z)MAN, MISHKIN, EPSTEIN, ZLOTNIK SANDLER, Michelle Borisov MEBEL, KLEBENOFF SASLAFSKY, Jennifer Slutsk, Barbruisk KOMISAR SCHNEIDER, Jerry Pinsk AIZENBERG, ELSTEIN SCHWARTZBERG, Jenny Antopol, Motol, Seletz, Drogichin, Baranovici, Turetz KAPLAN, KAMENETZKY, TELECHANSKY, ADLER, PLOTNITZKY, SHEDROVITZKY, SHERESHEVSKY, WALDMAN, KANTOROWITZ, MOSKOWITZ SHAPIRO, Sandra Garfinkel Divin, Kobryn, Kortylisy, Chernyany, Dobryanka, Podobryanka GARFINKEL, TENENBAUM,KLYN, LEVY, GOLDSMITH, KRASELSKY, LITVINSKI, SIMON, Andrea Volchin, Brest MIDLER, LEW SMITH, Lester Gudegai, Zhuprany, Oshmina, SHUMELISKY, DAVIDSON SPECTOR, Joel Chashniki, Lepel, Shklov ZEITLIN, BLACK, BLECHMAN, SKIBINSKI STEPAK, Ellen Pinsk BRENN, POSENITSKY, NIEMCOWIC SUBER, Gordon Bobruysk, Omelyna, Tchedrin ZUBER, ZILBERMAN TUERK, Janis Khomsk, Serniki Pervyye, Glussk SILBERKVEIT,TURKIENICH,KAGAN WEIN, Joseph Bialystok FINKELSTEIN WEIN WEINER, Stephanie Smorgon, Bobruisk CHODOSH, WEINER, LACOWITSKY WILNAI, Ruth Rakow, Wolma, Iventes LIFSHITZ, ROTHSTEIN WOLRAICH, Debra Motol, Ivanovo, Bobruisk, Pinsk RATNOWSKY, WARSHOVSKY, VALINSKY, ABRAMOWICZ, SLEPOY ZERDIN, Keith Minsk, Vilani, Preili, Varaklani, Dvinsk ZHERDIN, PRESMA, KODIS, KODISH, KAIDAN, MEDNICOV, ZAVADSKI, TOBOVITCH ZIESELMAN, Paula Kamenets, Verkholesye(?) 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Cheap airline tickets <willsamantha4@yahoo.com> USA, none USA - Tuesday, June 17, 2003 at 21:00:50 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Debbi, Krasne is a name of a shtetl in today Belarus. The name Isacson was very common in a near by shtetl; Radoshkovichi. Jason Alpert (in New York city) must be a relative of yours. It is his family tree. almost the entire family came from the Vileyka/ Kurenets/ Krasne/ Horodok/ radoshkovichi area.[between Minsk and Vilnius) and setteled in Maine. you wrote; Joseph Graffman, who was married to Annie Issacson in Aurburn Maine, was my granfather. is it her?;Annie (Elka) ISAACSON-GRAFFMAN (b. ~~1870; bur. 1955 in AUBURN,MAINE) -- 1st husband: Samuel (Yehoshua) ISAACSON (d. 5/13/04) Keith Graffman. 2nd husband (of Annie/Elka ISAACSON-GRAFFMAN): Joseph L. (Hebrew name;Yosef-Yehuda son of Mordechai-Eliezer) GRAFFMAN (died 1/23/33) Keith GRAFFMAN (wife: Bertha) (FLORIDA & SKOWHEGAN,MAINE)Born 7 Apr 1909 Died 23 Jul 2002 Issued: ME (1952) SON (CALIFORNIA) Deborah (KENTUCKY) You? Bernard ("Benny") GRAFFMAN (1st wife: *, d.) (FLORIDA & SKOWHEGAN,MAINE) Bernard Graffman, (D - 1998) DAUGHTER (BOSTON,MA) -- wife: sister of Keith's wife Bertha from Ancestry.com; Graffman, Hyman Age: 34 Year:1920 Birthplace: Poland Roll: T625_353 Race: White Page: 14A State: Illinois ED: 2139 County: Cook Image: 0949 Township: Chicago Graffman, Abe Age: 28 Year:1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T625_354 Race: White Page: 17A State: Illinois ED: 2145 County: Cook Image: 0035 Township: Chicago Graffman, Jewell Age: 35 Year:1920 Birthplace: Illinois Roll: T625_303 Race: White Page: 2B State: Illinois ED: 21 County: DeKalb Image: 0062 Township: De Kalb Graffman, David Age: 35 Year:1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T625_620 Race: Mulatto Page:3B State: Louisiana ED: 84 County: Orleans Image: 0909 Township: New Orleans Graffman, Augusta Age: 59 Year:1920 Birthplace: Missouri Roll: T625_954 Race: White Page: 1B State: Missouri ED: 212 County: St Louis (Independent City) Image: 0439 Township: St Louis Graffman, August Age: 32 Year:1920 Birthplace: Missouri Roll: T625_948 Race: White Page: 4A State: Missouri ED: 86 County: St Louis (Independent City) Image: 0928 Township: St Louis Graffman, Isadore Age: 33 Year:1920 Birthplace: New York Roll: T625_1136 Race: White Page: 3A State: New York ED: 256 County: Bronx Image:0674 Township: Bronx Graffman, David Age: 39 Year:1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll:T625_1153 Race: White Page: 23B State: New York ED: 342 County: Kings Image: 0645 Township: Brooklyn Graffman, Adolph Age: 22 Year:1920 Birthplace: Texas Roll: T625_1476 Race: White Page: 11B State: Oklahoma ED: 115 County: Okmulgee Image: 0752 Township: Henryetta Graffman, Reuben Age: 45 Year:1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T625_1519 Race: White Page: 4A State: Pennsylvania ED: 356 County: Allegheny Image:0459 Township: Pittsburgh Graffman, William B Age: 75 Year:1920 Birthplace: Pennsylvania Roll: T625_1548 Race: White Page: 9A State: Pennsylvania ED: 12 County: Centre Image: 0836 Township: Milesburg Grafman, I W Age: 55 Year:1920 Birthplace: England Roll: T625_81 Race: White Page: 2A State: Arkansas ED: 136 County: Sebastian Image: 0983 Township: Jim Fork Graffman, Lonel Age: 22 Year:1930 Birthplace: Texas Roll: T626_2342 Race: White Page: 2A State: Texas ED: 26 County: Harris Image: 0819 Township: Houston Relationship: Brother-in-law Graffman, James Age: 30 Year:1930 Birthplace: Texas Roll: T626_204 Race: White Page: 19B State: California ED: 272 County: San Francisco Image: 0797 Township: San Francisco Relationship: Son-in-law Graffman, Marie Age: 32 Year:1930 Birthplace: Sweden Roll: T626_1560 Race: White Page: 3A State: New York ED: 517 County: New York Image: 0676 Township: Manhattan Relationship: Roomer Graffman, Irma Age: 24 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_204 Race: Page: 19B State: California ED: 272 County: San Francisco Image: 0797 Township: San Francisco Relationship: Daughter Graffman, Verle Age: 2 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_204 Race: Page: 19B State: California ED: 272 County: San Francisco Image: 0797 Township: San Francisco Relationship: Granddaughter Graffman, Hyman Age: 46 Year:1930 Birthplace: Poland Roll: T626_452 Race: White Page: 1A State: Illinois ED: 832 County: Cook Image: 0894 Township: Chicago Relationship: Head Graffman, Jennie Age: 45 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_452 Race: Page: 1A State: Illinois ED: 832 County: Cook Image: 0894 Township: Chicago Relationship: Wife Graffman, Betty Age: 23 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll:T626_452 Race: Page: 1A State: Illinois ED: 832 County: Cook Image: 0894 Township: Chicago Relationship: Daughter Graffman, Eddie Age: 21 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_452 Race: Page: 1A State: Illinois ED: 832 County: Cook Image: 0894 Township: Chicago Relationship: Son Graffman, Joe Age: 19 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_452 Race: Page: 1A State: Illinois ED: 832 County: Cook Image: 0894 Township: Chicago Relationship: Son Graffman, Manny Age: 16 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_452 Race: Page: 1A State: Illinois ED: 32 County: Cook Image: 0894 Township: Chicago Relationship: Son Graffman, Max Age: 40 Year:1930 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T626_466 Race: White Page: 26B State: Illinois ED: 1157 County: Cook Image: 0176 Township: Chicago Relationship: Head Graffman, Mary Age: 39 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_466 Race: Page: 26B State: Illinois ED: 1157 County: Cook Image: 0176 Township: Chicago Relationship: Wife Graffman, Hyman Age: 13 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_466 Race: Page: 26B State: Illinois ED: 1157 County: Cook Image: 0176 Township: Chicago Relationship: Son Graffman, Fred Age: 10 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_466 Race: Page: 26B State: Illinois ED: 1157 County: Cook Image: 0176 Township: Chicago Relationship: Son Graffman, Hilda Age: 7 Year:1930 Birthplace: Roll: T626_466 Race: Page: 26B State: Illinois ED: 1157 County: Cook Image: 0176 Township: Chicago Relationship: Daughter ANDREW H GRAFFMAN SSN 176-18-9999 Residence: 19124 Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA Born 3 Sep 1918 Last Benefit: Died 21 Jan 1997 Issued: PA (Before 195) BENJAMIN GRAFFMAN SSN 184-07-1982 Residence: Born 24 May 1908 Last Benefit: Died Mar 1965 Issued: PA (Before 195) BERNARD GRAFFMAN SSN 004-24-2950 Residence: 04976 Skowhegan, Somerset, ME Born 2 Dec 1912 Last Benefit: Died Jan 1987 Issued: ME (Before 195) EDYTHE GRAFFMAN SSN 065-07-3735 Residence: 21044 Columbia, Howard, MD Born 7 Feb 1907 Last Benefit: Died 1 May 1997 Issued: NY (Before 195) EMMA F GRAFFMAN SSN 454-20-8664 Residence: 78664 Round Rock, Williamson, TX Born 4 Dec 1910 Last Benefit: Died 6 Jan 1999 Issued: TX (Before 195) EMMA GRAFFMAN SSN 549-21-1059 Residence: 94596 Walnut Creek, Contra Costa, CA Born 22 Jul 1895 Last Benefit: Died Oct 1978 Issued: CA (1973) FAY GRAFFMAN SSN 159-03-7665 Residence: 19103 Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA Born 5 May 1912 Last Benefit: Died Oct 1987 Issued: PA (Before 195) GILBERT GRAFFMAN SSN 444-10-4772 Residence: 74437 Henryetta, Okmulgee, OK Born 4 Jun 1920 Last Benefit: 74437 Henryetta, Okmulgee, OK Died Oct 1979 Issued: OK (Before 195) IRMA GRAFFMAN SSN 547-38-4665 Residence: Born 26 Feb 1906 Last Benefit: Died 25 Jun 1990 Issued: CA (Before 195) JAMES GRAFFMAN SSN 549-14-7637 Residence: 94596 Walnut Creek, Contra Costa, CA Born 11 Aug 1889 Last Benefit: Died 2 Jun 1992 Issued: CA (Before 195) JOHN GRAFFMAN SSN 465-05-0804 Residence: Born 15 Jan 1918 Last Benefit: Died Jun 1959 Issued: TX (Before 195) JOSEPH GRAFFMAN SSN 093-10-3857 Residence: 10023 New York, New York, NY Born 20 Dec 1892 Last Benefit: Died Aug 1980 Issued: NY (Before 195) KEITH GRAFFMAN SSN 004-34-5920 Residence: 34990 Palm City, Martin, FL Born 7 Apr 1909 Last Benefit: Died 23 Jul 2002 Issued: ME (1952) LILLIAN GRAFFMAN SSN 210-34-3030 Residence: 19103 Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA Born 1 Mar 1908 Last Benefit: 19103 Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA Died Aug 1978 Issued: PA (1961 And 1) LILLIAN GRAFFMAN SSN 073-42-5025 Residence: 10023 New York, New York, NY Born 20 Mar 1902 Last Benefit: Died 27 Dec 1988 Issued: NY (1966) MAX J GRAFFMAN SSN 189-16-3440 Residence: 33445 Delray Beach, Palm Beach, FL Born 10 Mar 1909 Last Benefit: Died 21 May 1989 Issued: PA (Before 195o) NADINE GRAFFMAN SSN 118-28-6830 Residence: 10019 New York, New York, NY Born 1 Apr 1901 Last Benefit: Died 27 Jul 1989 Issued: NY (1952 And 1) VLADIMIR GRAFFMAN SSN 061-16-4320 Residence: 10028 New York, New York, NY Born 21 Jun 1891 Last Benefit: Died Dec 1976 Issued: NY (Before 195) WILHELM GRAFFMAN SSN 590-59-9435 Residence: 72 Born 17 Aug 1935 Last Benefit: Died 24 Oct 2001 Issued: FL (1996) Surname Given Name Middle Name Sex Birth Date Death Date Birth Place Death Place Social Security # Mother's Maiden Name Father's Surname GRAFFMAN EMMA MARGARETH FEMALE 22 Jul 1895 6 Oct 1978 CALIFORNIA CONTRA COSTA 549211059 GRAFFMAN IRMA BEATRICE FEMALE 26 Feb 1906 25 Jun 1990 CALIFORNIA SONOMA 547384665 PURPOLI WOLFF GRAFFMAN JAMES MALE 16 Jun 1899 4 Apr 1942 TEXAS SAN FRANCISCO 557035588 TITSWORTH GRAFFMAN GRAFFMAN JAMES O MALE 11 Aug 1889 2 Jun 1992 ILLINOIS CONTRA COSTA 549147637 Certificate: 0 Bride: Murphy Reta M Bride's Place of Residence: Calais Bride's State of Residence: ME Groom: Graffman Bernard D Groom's Place of Residence: Houlton Groom's state of Residence: ME Date: 13 June, 1939 Graffman, Bernard D Death Date: January 1, 1987 Age: 74 Town: Skowhegan Certificate: 8700195 Certificate: 8603156 Bride: Hall Jennifer L Bride's Place of Residence: Unknown Bride's State of Residence: MA Groom: Graffman Peter A Groom's Place of Residence: Skowhegan Groom's state of Residence: ME Date: 14 June, 1986 Grafman, Alec Age: 20 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T625_329 Race: White Page: 4A State: Illinois ED: 1058 County: Cook Image: 0616 Township: Chicago Grafman, David Age: 27 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T625_329 Race: White Page: 3B State: Illinois ED: 1058 County: Cook Image: 0615 Township: Chicago Grafman, Henry Age: 44 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T625_354 Race: White Page: 8B State: Illinois ED: 2147 County: Cook Image: 0082 Township: Chicago Grafman, Harry Age: 24 Year: 1920 Birthplace: England Roll: T625_354 Race: White Page: 9B State: Illinois ED: 2170 County: Cook Image: 0761 Township: Chicago Grafman, Jacob Age: 40 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Russia;Poland Roll: T625_319 Race: White Page: 17A State: Illinois ED: 630 County: Cook Image: 0189 Township: Chicago Grafman, Max Age: 31 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Russia;Poland Roll: T625_325 Race: White Page: 17B State: Illinois ED: 892 County: Cook Image: 0452 Township: Chicago Grafman, May Age: 45 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Indiana Roll: T625_461 Race: White Page: 1A State: Indiana ED: 153 County: Steuben Image: 0282 Township: Fremont Grafman, Abraham Age: 40 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T625_818 Race: White Page: 10B State: Michigan ED: 604 County: Wayne Image: 0619 Township: Detroit Grafman, Barnard Age:41 Year:1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T625_802 Race: White Page: 1A State: Michigan ED: 76 County: Wayne Image: 0478 Township: Detroit Grafman, Abbie Age: 61 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Michigan Roll: T625_833 Race: White Page: 8B State: Minnesota ED: 6 County:Hennepin Image: 0606 Township: Minneapolis Grafman, Peter Age: 35 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Austria Roll: T625_855 Race: White Page: 7B State: Minnesota ED: 97 County: Ramsey Image: 0298 Township: Saint Paul Grafman, Walter L Age: 24 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Oklahoma Roll: T625_923 Race: White Page: 5A State: Missouri ED: 26 County: Jackson Image: 1079 Township:Kansas City Grafman, Loretto Age:16 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Kansas Roll: T625_925 Race: White Page: 13A State: Missouri ED: 74 County: Jackson Image: 1022 Township: Kansas City Grafman, Saul Age: 47 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Russia;Vilna Roll: T625_1182 Race: White Page: 17A State: New York ED: 1512 County: Kings Image: 0985 Township: Brooklyn Grafman, Domenick Age: 33 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Italy Roll: T625_1568 Race: White Page: 4B State: Pennsylvania ED: 22 County: Fayette Image: 0595 Township: Dunbar Grafman, Joe Age: 42 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Russia Roll: T625_1615 Race: White Page: 11B State: Pennsylvania ED: 49 County: Philadelphia Image: 0024 Township: Philadelphia Grafman, Pauline Age:36 Year:1920 Birthplace: Germany Roll: T625_1905 Race:White Page: 15 A State:Virginia ED: 171 County:Portsmouth (Independent City) Image: 0522 Township: Portsmouth Grafman, Henry Age: 33 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Russia;Poland Roll: T625_1997 Race: White Page: 14A State: Wisconsin ED: 29 County: Milwaukee Image: 1061 Township: Milwaukee Grafman, Josip Age: 34 Year: 1920 Birthplace: Wisconsin Roll: T625_2007 Race: White Page: 3B State: Wisconsin ED: 175 County: Oconto Image: 1071 Township: Oconto Falls . - Monday, June 16, 2003 at 21:13:17 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I was surfing the web for my ancestors. Joseph Graffman, who was married to Annie Issacson in Aurburn Maine, was my granfather. I was directed to your web site entitled Krasne. I am not familiar with this name but when I scrolled through it I found many of my relatives.. My name is Debra. My father was Keith Graffman. I would be interested in finding out more about my heritage Thanks Debby . - Monday, June 16, 2003 at 19:23:51 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hi there, I found this site by accident, but I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed it. best of luck to you! Krieg USA - Sunday, June 15, 2003 at 13:34:05 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Though the most visible function of the United States Secret Service is guarding the President of the United States, the Service is also involved in the investigation and prosecution of various banking and counterfeiting crimes. You can help the Secret Service by forwarding all "African scam" type spams, with full headers, to 419.fcd@usss.treas.gov investigation and prosecution of various banking and counterfeiting crimes. <419.fcd@usss.treas.gov> - Sunday, June 15, 2003 at 08:52:03 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLEASE KEEP OFF NWA BIAFRA GUYMAN <GUYMAN@MUGU.COM> LOME, XS NIGERIA - Sunday, June 15, 2003 at 08:04:25 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Haskara meeting. 61 years since the extermination of the Jewish community of Dolhinov. A memorial ( Haskara ) meeting for the Jews of Dolhinov who were massacred by the Nazis and their colleborators will be held in Tel-Aviv, Yehudit Ave. 30 at Beit Vilna on the 18.6.03 at 18.00 PM. The Dolhinov Committee in Israel <rubinlj@netvision.net.il> - Friday, June 13, 2003 at 07:28:15 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rabbi Eliyahu Hayim Maizel 1821- 1912; Born in Horodok,was rabbi of Horodok from 1840 to 1843. Later rabbi of Drazin 1843-1861, Prozan 1861- 1867were he showed heroic dedication during a deadly epidemic, Lomza.1867-1879 were he was able to reduce by 500 a year the number of people called for army service. Was Chief Rabbi of Lodz from 1873 until his death in Lodz. He greatly cared about the social- economical predicament of his people. When the Jewish factory workers in lodge were replaced by none Jews he financed his on factory and hired only Jews He had a plan to establish an agricultural ranch to train Jews for immigrating to Israel [influenced by Rabbi Shmuel Maholiver] but it was met by opposition. During his time no poor Jewish kids were kidnapped in the area to serve in the Russian army. He helped other communities with money to release people. He build an orphanage, old home, Jewish hospital, And Talmud Torah schools. He helped thousands of Jews who came for many communities to receive his help.he would pawned all his possessions to help others. Despite of the fact that he often came to the non Jewish authorities with requests he was liked and respected by them. he worked diligently until the age of ninety. Many great tales were told about his greatness. And when he passed away many mornd him as if they became orphaned. A Yiddish book was written about him in 1925, For 15 years since his death [title memoir with his name in Yiddish]. From the internet; Rav Eliyahu Chaim Meisels, the Rav of Lodz, would raise money for the poor widows and orphans of his city. During one particularly freezing winter, he went to visit one of the prominent members of his community, Reb Isaac, a banker who served as the president of the community council. Bundled in a coat and scarf, the Rabbi approached the banker's mansion and knocked on the door. The valet who answered the door was shocked to see the great Rabbi Meisels standing outside in the bitter cold. He immediately asked him to enter the home where he said there would be a hot tea waiting. Rabbi Meisels refused. "It is not necessary. Please tell Reb Isaac to see me by the door." The banker heard that the Rav was waiting near the portal and rushed in his evening jacket to greet him. Upon seeing the Rabbi standing in the frigid weather, he exclaimed. "Rebbe, please step inside. I have the fireplace raging, and my butler will prepare a hot tea for you! There is no need for you to wait outside!" "That's alright," countered Reb Eliyahu Chaim. "It won't be long, and all I need could be accomplished by talking right here. I'm sure you won't mind. Anyway, why should I dirty your home with my snow-covered boots?" By this time, Reb Isaac was in a dilemma. The frigid air was blowing into his house. He did not want to close the door and talk outside in the cold, and yet the Rabbi did not want to enter! "Please, Rabbi, I don't know about you, but I am freezing," cried the banker. "I don't mind if your boots are wet! Just come on in!" But the Rabbi did not budge, He began talking about the plight of some the unfortunate members of the community as the bankers teeth chattered in response. "Please, Rebbe, just tell me what you need! I'll give anything you want, just come inside!” With that, Reb Elya Chaim relented. He entered the man's home and followed him to the den, where a blazing fire heated the room. Then he began: "I need firewood for 50 families this winter." The banker smiled. “No problem, I commit to supplying the wood. Just one question. You know I give tzedoka, so why did you make me stand outside?” "Reb Isaac," smiled Reb Eliyahu Chaim. "I know you give, but I wanted to make sure you understood what these poor people are going through. I knew that five minutes in the freezing cold would give you a different perspective than my initial asking while basking in the warmth of your fireplace." The Chasam Sofer explains that because Levi was a special tribe of teachers and leaders it could be possible they would be aloof. Thus, though they were counted separately, they could not be above the crowd. Therefore, the Torah's command was stated in clear terms, "their heads you shall not lift (v'es rosham lo sisah) among the Children of Israel". Leadership may put you in a class by yourself, but remember, says the Torah, you must not feel that you are above the folk. You cannot bask in warmth while you are oblivious to those who suffer in the cold. Your head can not be "lifted" from among the children of Israel. ©2000 Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky In the city of Lodz, the large industrial city in Poland, Rabbi Eliyahu Hayim zs"l would routinely be honored with the third "aliyah." The judges, elders of the community and town dignitaries would generally receive the sixth aliyah to the Torah. The "maftir" aliyah was reserved for hatanim and those who were observing the anniversary of the passing of a relarelative. The rest of the aliyot were, of course, distributed among the other worshippers. Needless to say, this system fell far from avoiding all strife and tension. On one week two people would be observing days of memorial, on another Shabbat the community would be celebrating both a wedding and a bar-missvah, etc. Unquestionably, the lives of the "gabbaim" in the large Bet Kenesset of Lodz were not easy.Once, however, there occurred an incident which was, by any standard, exaggerated.A certain ignorant, ill-mannered man gradually worked his way up the economic ladder and eventually became among the wealthier members of the community. He was proud of his fortune and proceeded to flaunt his wealth. He affixed a gold "atarah" to his tallit, he purchased a respectable seat by the eastern wall of the Bet Kenesset for a huge sum of money, and, one day, he turned to the gabbai and said, "This Shabbat I am celebrating a birthday.""May you live a long, happy and healthy life," answered the gabbai innocently."Thank you. I want to receive an aliyah," continued the wealthy man."It would be an honor," responded the gabbai, "but just know that someone is commemorating the memorial day for his relative, so he will receive 'maftir.'""No problem," assured the arrogant aristocrat. "The sixth aliyah is good enough for me.""But this Shabbat is the turn of the old judge," noted the gabbai. "I will call you for the fifth aliyah, like I always have.""Don't you dare!" warned the wealthy man sternly, his furious eyes flashing like lightening. "You better not insult me this way. You will give me the sixth aliyah, and no other aliyah!"Threats could never frighten the old gabbai. And so, when the fifth aliyah came around, he called the name of the wealthy man. The latter stood up from his seat by the eastern wall and approached the bimah. Only instead of stopping by the Torah to recite the berachot, he continued to the gabbai and forcefully punched him across the face. One can only imagine the turmoil which ensued in the Bet Kenesset - shouts, insults, name-calling and fiery spirits.Needless to say, such an incident can in no way be ignored. After Shabbat, the infuriated gabbaim went to the rabbi's home to decide upon a proper response. One thing was absolutely clear: things cannot continue in this way."Of course," agreed the rabbi. "So what do you suggest?"The gabbai which was hit stood up and raised an amazing proposal: to do away with all "kibbudim," to eliminate the procedure of honoring people with the various aliyot and other parts of the service, thus removing the root of all the ill-will and strife. The gabbai was well-stocked with dozens of examples where someone was insulted, another was hurt, how one individual needed to be asked forgiveness, the other needed to be appeased somehow - the standard headaches suffered by gabbaim throughout the years, in every community. What would be simpler than simply deciding to eliminate this entire system and decide once and for all that all aliyot are to be considered of equal stature? The distribution would be conducted randomly, and peace will finally be restored to the communities heretofore stricken by strife and dissent.The idea sounded great. Everybody focused their attention on the rabbi sitting at the head of the table, waiting for him to give his stamp of approval to the proposal at hand.The rabbi finally spoke up. "It certainly sounds like a good idea. No, a terrific idea. Yet, I cannot accept it."They didn't understand.The rabbi explained, "As you of course realize, it is a tragedy when people come to the Bet Kenesset looking just for honor. But it would be even worse if people would stop looking for honor in the Bet Kenesset."Indeed, for good reason Rabbi Eliyahu Hayim Maizel was called "Hakima D'Yehudai," the wisest among the Jews. Certainly, the seeking of honor - not to mention the pursuit of honor - is a trait to be discouraged. But, what can we do? Everyone (except us, of course) are stricken by this negative characteristic, to one extent or another. Perhaps they won't always call it honor. Maybe they'll refer to it as recognition, dignity, a show of appreciation, what have you. If this drive is not channeled in the direction of the Bet Kenesset, people will seek and find honor in all other walks of life. They will find it in large measure in all types of groups and other organizations. It is therefore preferable that the groups and organizations in which they look for honor are part of the system of the Bet Kenesset, that in this structure people satisfy their need for recognition and distinction. To the contrary, by seeking honor specifically in the context of the Bet Kenesset, an individual makes the strong statement that therein he finds his social circle, that particularly in the religious service he looks for appreciation. This will give him impetus to contribute from his time, energies, talents and money to the sacred institution of the Bet Kenesset. http://216.239.53.100/custom?q=cache:HvTlFULcZRkJ:www.shemayisrael.co.il/parsha/aram/archives/vayesh59.htm++rabbi+maizel&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 . - Monday, June 09, 2003 at 20:04:48 (PDT) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rabbi Eliyahu Hayim Maizel 1821- 1912; Born in Horodok ;was rabbi of Horodok from 1840 to 1843. Later rabbi of Drazin 1843-1861, Prozan 1861- 1867were he showed heroic dedication during a deadly epidemic, Lomza.1867-1879 were he was able to reduce by 500 a year the number of people called for army service. Was Chief Rabbi of Lodz from 1873 until his death in Lodz. He greatly cared about the social- economical predicament of his people. When the Jewish factory workers in lodge were replaced by none Jews he financed his on factory and hired only Jews He had a plan to establish an agricultural ranch to train Jews for immigrating to Israel [influenced by Rabbi Shmuel Maholiver] but it was met by opposition. During his time no poor Jewish kids were kidnapped in the area to serve in the Russian army. He helped other communities with money to release people. He build an orphanage, old home, Jewish hospital, And Talmud Torah schools. He helped thousands of Jews who came for many communities to receive his help.he would pawned all his possessions to help others. Despite of the fact that he often came to the non Jewish authorities with requests he was liked and respected by them. he worked diligently until the age of ninety. Many great tales were told about his greatness. And when he passed away many mornd him as if they became orphaned. A Yiddish book was written about him in 1925, For 15 years since his death [title memoir with his name in Yiddish]. From the internet; Rav Eliyahu Chaim Meisels, the Rav of Lodz, would raise money for the poor widows and orphans of his city. During one particularly freezing winter, he went to visit one of the prominent members of his community, Reb Isaac, a banker who served as the president of the community council. Bundled in a coat and scarf, the Rabbi approached the banker's mansion and knocked on the door. The valet who answered the door was shocked to see the great Rabbi Meisels standing outside in the bitter cold. He immediately asked him to enter |