Freeze Frame
An Honor for Patriotism
United States of America
Alex K.
You don’t always get honored for your patriotism, but Alex K.’s paternal great grandfather did. Jacob K. left World War One earlier than most people did, after he had injured his arm. He was surprised that after the war ended, he received a big picture, an award signed by President Woodrow Wilson. It was given to him for his service in the war before getting hurt. It had his name written on it, and it was only given to a select group of people. Jacob K. was born in Russia circa 1890. When he was about 18 years old, he moved to the United States. He fought with honor in the First World War. He later studied to become a chemist at Cooper Union. He had two kids, one of them being Alex K.’s grandfather. This award is cherished by the K. family.
Jacob K. died on the first day of Rosh Hashanah in 1955.
The Secret of Curly Hair
Amsterdam
The Holocaust was a tragic and terrifying time. People were separated from their families and many Jewish lives were taken. Sarah B.’s paternal grandmother, Beppie May, went into hiding before the Jews of Amsterdam, including her parents, Abraham and Adele May, were deported. She was raised by Catholic friends of her parents, Theo and Rie Boelens, during the war. When Beppie visited her Catholic father’s family on a farm, pictures were taken of Beppie and her “cousins.” Beppie’s hair was straight, but her Catholic mother’s hair was curly. Each night, Beppie’s Catholic mother put curlers in her hair, so when she woke up, Beppie’s hair was curly. They looked so similar; the Nazis did not realize they weren’t related. Beppie’s father died in a concentration camp, but her mother survived Auschwitz and took her daughter back from the Boelens. Beppie moved to the United States with her mother after the war. Today the pictures are kept in Beppie’s apartment in the Bronx, N.Y. Beppie shows the pictures to students when she talks to them about Yom Ha’shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. The pictures remind Beppie, her children, and grandchildren about her experience in the Holocaust and remind her family how lucky they are that she survived and that she was saved by “Righteous Gentiles.”
The pictures show that for some families, like Beppie’s, the Holocaust wasn’t a distant event.
The Great Escape
Siberia
Back in the early 1900’s, during World War I, people who were taken to prisoner of war camps in Siberia by the Russians were never seen again. It was very rare for people to survive and escape these camps. Remarkably, Jessica A.’s paternal great grandfather, David Bochner, did all of those things. He survived and escaped the P.O.W camp in Siberia. When David Bochner left the camp in 1917, an artist was commissioned to sketch a picture of David, and he gave a copy of the picture to all of his children. They then passed it down to their kids. Although Jessica A. didn’t really get to know her great grandfather, she heard that he was a brave, caring, and loyal person.
Now, the picture of David Bochner is hanging in Jessica A.'s house in remembrance of his accomplishes in life.
A Picture Worth a Thousand Memories
New York
This picture is the only picture of Shoshana R.’s maternal great-great grandmother Hannah Archinofsky, and her children. They are Shoshana’s great uncles and aunts. Shoshana’s grandparents fled from Russia because of the violence against the Jews. In America, Shoshana’s great-great grandfather Dovbehr, worked in a fur shop. One day, shortly after they moved to America, her grandfather’s shop was robbed. That same day he passed away. Doctors and policemen said he just had a heart attack from the robbery, but Shoshana’s grandmother believed and knew that he was in perfect health. To this day, no one knows if he had a heart attack or was murdered. Even though Shoshana’s great-great grandfather is not in the picture, it is still a significant item to Shoshana’s family. It is the only picture they have left of Hannah and her children together.
This picture is even more important to Shoshana because the little girl on the left is Shoshana’s great grandma Rose, whom she’s named after. Being able to look at her family is a privilege Shoshana holds dear.
Last Memory
Russia and Alexandria
Imagine what it feels like to travel around the world with no home, friends, or family. This was what became of most Jewish citizens of communist Russia except for Andrew L.’s paternal great grandfather, Louis L. Despite living in Russia most of his life, Israel was his homeland in his heart. In 1905, at the age of sixteen, Louis was drafted for the Czar’s army against his will. In order to escape, he fled from Russia to Palestine. After living in Palestine for ten years, he was evacuated from Palestine to Alexandria, Egypt. This was a result of the Russians attacking the Turks who were in control of Palestine. From Alexandria, Louis Levine traveled to the United States where he settled, got married, and had children. A few years later, Louis searched for information on his family and found out that they had all been killed a few years after he had left. This photograph is very special to the L. family because it is the only memory they have of the lost side of their family. Louis L.’s passport, which enabled him to go to Alexandria, shows Andrew L.’s family the courage that their successor had as he traveled around the world at the age of sixteen. Andrew L.’s paternal great grandfather carried a huge burden as he was the only one who carried the L. family’s customs and history.
The L. family will always cherish these memories of him and the greatest thing he gave them, their heritage.
Remembering Loved Ones
Pinsk, Russia
This picture originally belonged to Shayna L.’s maternal great- great grandparents, Nathan and Lena Bergman. Shayna L.’s maternal great- great grandfather, Nathan Bergman, left his family for three years to go to America to get a job so he could earn enough money for his family’s transportation to America. After three years, his wife and children left Russia and walked to the boat even though it was Yom Kippur. Before they left Russia, they took a family picture. Nathan was not in Russia when they took the picture, so his grandson, Calvin, added a picture of him so they would always remember him. Currently, this picture is displayed in Shayna L.’s grandfather’s house.
This picture is significant to Shayna’s family because it is a memory of their great-grandparents and great-great grandparents, and their journey to America. They hope to cherish it for future generations.
Memories in a Frame
Poland
This black and white picture is of Leah M. and her two children. It was taken circa 1913 in Poland. A few years later, Leah and her husband left Poland and moved to Ireland. They were fortunate to leave Poland years before the Holocaust started. Leah’s nine siblings who remained in Poland either died during the war, or escaped to the United States.
This picture represents the survival of the M. family, and they will always treasure it.
Moving Forward
Germany
Uziel Kriger, Tal S.’s maternal great-great grandfather, had to find a way to start his life over after his wife, Bella Dinna Kriger, died in 1917. This was very difficult for him. He had survived World War II by escaping Europe and going to America to continue his life. Mr. Kriger made the trip to New York City and later went to Los Angeles. There he was among one of the founders of the Beth Jacob Shul and Hillel Yeshiva in Beverly Hills.
This picture of him and his wife reminds the S. family of their brave relative. They will always treasure it.
Treasured Pictures
Poland
These pictures are of Emma R.’s maternal great grandmother Emily Schneider, Emma’s grandfather’s sister, Miriam Bronner, and Emma’s grandmother Dina Schneider. The pictures came from a photographer who took them before World War Two, except the photo on the bottom left of Dina Schneider which was during the war in the ghetto. Each person, except for Emma’s grandmother who survived, died in G-d’s honor. She survived the Holocaust, and these are the only photos of Emma R.’s family that are left. The object is kept in the library of Emma R.’s home. The object is kept safely in a thick glass case that is sealed.
This object means so much to Emma R. and her family because it is the only photos the R.’s have of them.