The Ser-Charlap Family Newsletter the Family In

THE SER-CHARLAP FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Vol. 5, No. 4 Tevet 5755; December 1994 THE FAMILY IN CANADA

SER, SIER, SAIR

The great migration of eastern European Jews that began in 1881 brought hundreds of thousands new immigrants to North America. The vast majority found safe haven in the United States but Canada also absorbed some of the newcomers. The Jewish population of Canada in 1881 was almost 2,400. By the tum of the century 12,000 new immigrants had swelled these numbers considerably. Montreal had the largest concentration of Jews but active communities had been established in Toronto and in Winnipeg. As in the large cities of the United States, a significant number of Jews were employed in the garment industry. Others tried their entrepreneurial skills as craftsman and small retailers. The Canadian Pacific Railway, which was expanding rapidly, provided many skilled jobs as carpenters, tinsmiths, mechanics, and locksmiths. The Baron de Hirsch movement came to Montreal in 1891 and encouraged Jews to settle on farms in the western provinces. Jewish immigration from Russian controlled territory continued to grow. In 1904 4,000 Jews arrived, about double the number of the previous year. Lawrence Tapper is a senior member of the National Archives of Canada and the author of Archival Sources For the Study of Canadian Jewr_y. He bas been very helpful in providing information on genealogical research in Canada. But our connections go beyond the academic. Lawrence is a descendant of a branch of the Ser family which had been living in the Ukraine. We had learned that several Ser ancestors had fled from Nur and Ciechanowiec during periods of war and pogroms. A goodly number went to the Ukraine, apparently to join up with family already there. Formerly sealed records are becoming more accessible and we hope, before long, to determine the connection with Lawrence's branch. From material that Lawrence provided, we learned that his great-great-grandfather, Abraham, was born in Molinik, the son of Moses and Annie Sier. Abraham married Anna Shuk and had three sons, Nathan (Naftali), Isaac, and Jacob, and three daughters, Hattie, Ida (Chaya), and Yente. The family started emigrating to Canada in the 1880s. By the time of his naturalization in 1899, Abraham was a farmer in a Baron de Hirsch settlement in the North West Territories. Abraham's grandson, Maurice Sier son of Isaac Sair, in a 1987 letter to Lawrence relates: Mother and father left Russia around 1885. My father's homestead was in Hirsch, Saskatchewan. The rest of the family bad homesteads in Oxbow. After my father completed his homestead obligations, he and mother moved to St. Paul, Minnesota where we kids were born. Mother experienced a prolonged illness so the family returned to Saskatchewan and father resumed homesteading ... In Russia, Grandfather Abraham was overseer of a ranch comprising several thousand acres including a couple of hundred serfs owned by a Polish nobleman. I assume the nobleman had a high regard for Grandpa because he always soothed him after a pogrom. When the pogroms (continued next page) 2

SER, SIER, SAIR (cont.) MARIAMPOLE

became more frequent he made it possible for Mariampole, a center of the Charlap family, Grandpa to leave Russia. The family left Ruzhyn in is a town in Lithuania about 34 miles due south of Kiev Guberniya and traveled to Poland and then into Kowno built on the banks of the Sheshupe River. Germany. There the Baron de Hirsch representatives The main road from Berlin to St. Petersburg courses gave them a choice - Canada or Argentina. The through the forested hills near Mariampole. The voyage was aboard a windjammer and lasted three town was started by former residents of the village weeks. They were quartered way down below deck. of Staripole (Old Field), fleeing a plague at the start When no winds prevailed to activate the sails, the of the eighteenth century. By 1792, Mariampole had ship just flopped from side to side. There was a great absorbed Staripole, across the river, and received the deal of sea-sickness. They landed in Montreal and rights of a city. In 1795 Mariampole came under the Hirsch representatives escorted them out west to jurisdiction of Prussia. Later the Duchy of Warsaw Saskatchewan. They were given a team of horses, a controlled it and then the Congress of Vienna team of oxen, a few chickens and told to "go at it." awarded the area to Russia. The first stone houses The first thing they did was dig wells. were built in the late 1860s and disastrous fires in 1868 and 1869 accelerated this trend. Before World Abraham Sair's son Isaac i.s given a prominent War I, when 5,000 Jews lived there, the city was writeup in Who's Who In Canadian Jewry. part of Suwalk Guberniya. Jews were a major force in the city and developed its economy and public Born 1873, Russia. Deceased 1956, Winnipeg ... institutions. Jews were actively engaged in Came to Canada in 1892 and settled in the Hirsch commerce which was promoted by Mariampole's colony, Saskatchewan, as one of Western Canada's strategic location between Suwalk and Kowno and its earliest Jewish settlers. Played an important part in proximity to the Russian and German borders. the spiritual life of the community and was very During World War I the Russians accused certain active in every phase of Jewish life. Moved to Jews of collaboration with the enemy and much of Oxbow, Sask. at the turn of the century as a the community fled. Most returned when the homesteader and farmer, being the first Jew to settle German army entered the town. There was a 10% in that area, and retained his connections with that quota for Jews in the Russian schools, hence most community all his life. In 1912 moved to Estevan, Jewish children studied in cheders or more modern Sask. and to Winnipeg in 1935. Most of his life he Hebrew schools. After the war, the Jewish school was involved with farming and business. Was system expanded along with an ORT school, instrumental in bringing many Jewish families to libraries, a kindergarten, and drama club. Zionism Canada and settling them on farms by working with was very strong and was represented by Hechalutz, the colonization authorities. His hospitality was Betar, Hashomer Hatzair, Maccabi, and Hapoel. known throughout Western Canada. Throughout his Hebrew periodicals were read intensely. life he had a great love of the land and he continued Mariampole's charitable institutions included Bikur farming until he retired. Cholim societies, Linat Hazedek, an old age home, orphanages, and an interest-free loan society. The Isaac had six children by his wife Rachel. Three sons first rabbi of Mariampole was R' Chaim Perlmutter married and continued the line. One, Samuel, was Lawrence hen Zebulon Yaacov, known as the Shershaver Tapper's grandfather. Rebbe. His daughter married Yehuda Leib Char lap ************************************************ (3148,Pl.A) and gave rise to a vast family, many of THE SER-CHARLAP FAMILY NEWSLETI'ER is whose descendants are active in our family published quarterly. We encourage submittal of news items, association. Yehuda Leib's daughter Chaya married essays, poems, and historical articles. Correspondence his sister Chaya's son Yitzhak. Yitzhak assumed his should be directed to: mother's and wife's name. Their descendants include Arthur F. Menton, Editor many renowned rabbis including Yaacov Moshe P.O. Box 108 Charlap (3730,Pl.A-4). Another son of Yehuda Leib Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y. 11724 was Yosef Ze'ev (3159) whose son was the Tel. and Fax.: (516)754-1742 respected Hebrew-Yiddish author Abraham Chaim Copyright © 1994 Charlap (3712,Pl.A-3). There were over 2,500 Jews All rights reserved in Mariampole at the start of the Holocaust. 3 THE LOMZER YESHIVA

Maurial for this article was supplied by Rabbi Joseph Rosenberg, ExecUlive Direcror and Rabbi Eliez.er Ofer, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Lomza.

Yeshiva Lomza, one of the greatest Torah centers in the world was founded 111 years ago in Lomza, Poland. The branch in Petah Tikvah, Israel was opened in 1926. The Ser-Charlap family, which was concentrated in Lomza Gubemiya and adjoining Suwalk Guberniya, has had.a long and close relationship with Yeshiva Lomza. Rabbi Zevulon Charlop (3742,Pl.A-4a) was honored as Guest Speaker at the 107th Anniversary Dinner. And our revered Rabbi Aharon Zlotowitz (565,Pl.4a) studied at the Yeshiva and maintained close contact throughout his life. Our connections may be even closer than that. We have testimony from some family members that the founder of Yeshiva Lomza was related to us and that it was moved to Israel by a relative. We have not been able to confirm that as yet. However, if there is a connection it may be through the lbn Yachya line. As we have shown in the past, the Charlaps are descended from the lbn Yachya family of Spain and Portugal. Another branch of the lbn Yachya family that found its way to eastern Europe is known as Donchin. We have been researching the Donchin family tree and have found evidence which links the Donchins to R' Elijah, known as the Wilna Gaon. There is another claim of a relationship to Rabbi Israel Salanter. In any event, Yeshiva Lomza was founded by Rabbi Eliezer Shulewitz, one of the outstanding disciples of Rabbi Salanter. Today, it is headed by R' Eliezer's grandson, Rabbi Eliezer Ozer. From its inception Yeshiva Lomza bore the mark of a "Mussar-Yeshiva" which was imprinted by the famous Roshei Yeshivot, the Gaonim Rabbi Y echiel Mordecai Gordon, Rabbi Yosef Zelig Rouch and the Mashgiach, Rabbi Moshe Rosenstein. These outstanding gaonim bestowed upon their pupils a thorough competency in Torah, a path for spiritual growth, and high ethical standards towards their community and the larger society. Since its establishment in Petah Tikvah, some of the world's outstanding rabbis have been part of the faculty. A partial list includes: Rabbi Reuben Katz, the famous tzaddik Rabbi Eliyahu Dushnitzer - according to the Chazon lsh, one of the "36 Just Men" -, Rabbi Moshe Leib Ozer, and of course Rabbi Y echiel Mordecai Gordon. The very name of Rabbi Gordon awakens among Jews the world over, the greatest veneration. He illumined the world of Torah with his gentility during sixty years of activity, while he became a source of many legends concerning his love and devotion to his students. Yeshiva Lomza has enriched the Jewish world with numerous great rabbis and famous leaders. Among its alumni are.. Rabbi Jacob Kaminetsky, Rabbi Shmuel Rosovsky, Rabbi Eliyahu Mishkovsky, and our own Rabbi Aharon Zlotowitz. At the 1OOth Anniversary Dinner, Rabbi Kaminetsky told the guests that the time he spent at Lomza were_perhaps the most beautiful years of his life. Yeshiva Lomza has been a central force in the religious life of Israel from its inception. In 1926 yeshivot tended to be located within the boundaries of Jerusalem. Yeshiva Lomza pitched its tent in the new Yishuv, where the pioneers were beginning to revive the desert and faced the hazards of malaria and other maladies. Many of the pioneers had cut their ties to Torah and tradition but newly arrived Rabbi Eliezer Shulewitz founded the Yeshiva, after having come to Eretz Yisrael at an advanced age. Yeshiva Lomza immediately began the task of reviving the spiritual desert. It contributed to the growth of Petah Tikvah, making it a center of Torah and Jewish education. At first the pioneers were unfamiliar with the Yeshiva world and looked askance at the young scholars. However, after being exposed to the humble, kind character of the Yeshiva and seeing the diligence of the students, their attitude began to change. They started coming to the Yeshiva, especially on the holidays when it became the center of the town. On Simchat Torah and Purim the whole town - men, women, and children - would gather there for massive celebrations. Some of the young pioneers even became students. The old settlers of Petah Tikvah, still with us, nostalgically remember the warm feelings engendered at those times. They did more than that - the settlers actively supported the Yeshiva. They and their religious comrades, especially Rabbi ltshak Goldenhirsh, made possible the erection of a splendid new building which has met the needs of succeeding generations of scholars. One of the strong American supporters of Yeshiva Lomza was Martin Golombeck. The Golombecks, also known as Golomb and Golombowicz, have a long connection with the Ser-Charlap family. Old records from Poland show intermarriage between the two families going back to the early 1800s. The venerable Martin Glembourtt (originally Golombowicz) has been a tireless researcher into the world of Lomza Jewry. Martin, as an American soldier in World War II, participated in the liberation of the death camps and since then has been a prime force in Holocaust studies and commemorations. The present faculty of the Yeshiva continues the high standards of the founders. Under the guidance of (continued on next page) 4 NEW ADDITIONS MARRIAGES

Matthew David (Mordecai) Calo (8954,Pl.23b) was born Tommy Charlap (3785,Pl.A-6a) married Michelle on August 1. He is the 3rd child of Perry (5761) and Gail Stewart (8953) in September. The wedding was held (5752). The baby's grandmother is the late Henia Bekier in Scotland. Tommy is the son of the late Morris (5745) who married Eli Sukienik (5748). Great-grandmother "Moose" (3780) and Elizabeth (3782) Charlap. Tom is Chaya Lew (4646) who was born in Ciechanowiec and is an accomplished musician. Playing bass fiddle, he emigrated to the USA. often joins other members of the family in concert, among them his brother Bill (3787) (piano), step Alexandra Monica Schwaber (8984,Pl.3bc) was born on mother Sandy Stewart (3783) (vocals), and cousin October 9. She is the 2nd child of Robert (320) and Loureen Dick Hyman (3716,Pl.A-3) (piano). The newlyweds (2723) and the 11th grandchild of Sidney (283) and Edith live in Verbank, New York. (286) Schwaber. Sid's mother, Etka (30), was a daughter of Shlomo (6,Pl.3) and Sarah (5) Ser Silverburg. Sarah was Karen Charlip (7641,Pl.A-14a) married Gregory born in either Ciechanowiec or Nur. Shlomo was from Laub (8868) on Nov. 12. Karen's parents are Barry Zareby Koscielnie. They emigrated to America and settled (7625) and Marilyn (7631). Her grandfather Allen in Schenectady, New York which became home to many in (7604) was born in Lechovitch, Poland the son of our family. , Eliyahu Charlap (7567), a Hasill and scholar.

Samuel Harris Sherttk (8985,Pl.3g) was born on October Tsipora Charlop (3746,Pl.A-4a) wed Shmuel 9, the 1st child of David (5978) and Shelley (429). Yaacov Raymon (9003) on Nov. 14. Tsipora is the Grandparents are Albert (413) and Sylvia (415) Levine who daughter of Rabbi Zevulon (3742) and Judith (3743) now have five. Al's parents Jacob (Jack) (411) and Jeanette Charlop. Zevulon is Dean of the Rabbi Isaac (407) were ,legendary in their support of the family and in Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva working for the Ciechanowiec landsmanschaft. Jeanette's University in New York City. Shmuel Yaacov was parents were Shmuel Danowitz (193) and Rivka Ser (192). born in Philadelphia and divides his time between Jack's parents were Abraham Tuvia Lewin (Lew) that city and Jerusalem. He is a Torah scholar. (5859Pl.28) aild Sarah Danowitz (5863). Sarah and Shmuel Tsipora descended from grandfather Yechiel Michel Danowitz were brother and sister, hence Jack and Jeanette (3736), son of the Gaon Rabbi Yaacov Moshe were 1st cousins. But they were closer than that because the Charlap (3730) of Jerusalem. Lew, Danowitz, and Ser families are all inter-related. The new baby has extraordinarily good genes. Deborah Menton (71,Pl.3c) wed Eyal Peretz (8986) on Oct. 23. Deborah, Executive Director of MAZAL TOV TO THE NEW PARENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES the World Union of Jewish Students (North ************************************************ America), is the daughter of Arthur Menton (58) and YESHIVA LOMZA (cont.) Judith Kroe (57) and step-daughter of Nancy Menton (189). She is the granddaughter of the late Alexander Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Eliezer Ozer, Yeshiva Lomza is training (39) and Mildred (40) Menton. Mildred (Mindel) a new generation of Torah scholars and the future leaders of was the daughter of Isaac Ser (7) who was known as Israel. Rabbi Ozer is interested in meeting members of our Max Sahr in the USA. Eyal, an electronics engineer, family and welcomes them for a visit to the Yeshiva in Petah is a Sabra from Arad, Israel. His mother, Rachel, Tikvah. For those in America, there is an annual banquet was born in Aleppo, Syria and his father Yosef which is always a memorable occasion. For information comes from a sephardic family that settled in Eretz contact: 'Yisrael immediately after the expulsion from Spain Rabbi Joseph Rosenberg in 1492. Rabbi Leonard Guttman, an advisor of Executive Director Mayor Rudolf Giuliani of New York, officiated at Yeshiva Lomza the traditional ceremony. The reception was attended Morris J. Golombeck Institute by representatives of many branches of the family. 37 Parkville Avenue Relatives came from distant lands and diverse Brooklyn, NY 11230 locations in the USA. [Ed. Note: We only regret that TEL: (718)853-6811 the entire mishpocha could not share in our simcha.] FAX: (718)972-4294 (more weddings on page 6) 5 THE FAMILY IN CANADA

SMOLARCZYK, SMOLARCIK, SMOLAR, SMALL

In July of 1994 a research trip to Montreal introduced us to a new branch of the Charlapfamily [See Newsletter, Vol. 5, No. 3]. We also met several Smolarczyk relalives for the first time. Jack (2688,Pl. 20ca) and Leah (2684) Teplitslcy graciously opened their Cote St. Luc home to a mini-family reunion. Presenl were Sam (2685) and Miriam (2689) Small, Gemude Friedman (2683),Joseph (4937) and Esther (2686) Tenenhouse, and Shirley Pearlman (2687). In October we were back in Canada to visit the Smolarczy1r.s ofToronto. We were guests ofRabbi Mordecai (4221,Pl.20jb) and Hadassah (4225) Smolarcik who arranged a family dinner attended by Steven (4940,Pl.20ca) and RMeanne (4943) Teplitslcy, and EJieur (797,Pl.4c) and Esther (796) Prisman ofthe Kur/Pasternak line. We also hod a moving meeting with Irving (2642,Pl.20aa) and Fmda Smolarczyk (2636) Wolman.

Velvel Smolarz (3102,Pl.20) was born circa 1818 in northeastern Poland. He and his wife Miriam (3108) lived in Ciechanowiec where Velvel eked out a living as a tailor. They had at least six children including Itche (2614) and Pesach (2724), both known as Smolarczyk. Itche married Dinah Rivka Kwiatek (2615) who was most likely his cousin. Dinah bore seven children. His daughters were Zelda (1546), Etk:a (2617), Yente Sima (2619), and Golda (2620). All married within the family or to closely allied landsleit. Zelda's husband was Enoch Velvel Kur (1542), Etk:a married Itche Chaim Kopyto (2623), Yente Sima wed Aharon Leibel Sukiennik (2625), and Golda's husband was Moshe Dan Fefferkrantz (2626). The sons of Itche and Dinah were David (2616), Simcha Nutta (2618), and Shinendel (2878). The July 1994 gathering in Montreal was organized by the grandchildren of Simcha Nutta Smolarczyk. His grandson Sam, who uses the name Small, reminisced: I was born in Shterdyn. We were a very religious family. My grandfather was a melamed [teacher]. My grandmother, Chava Rachel (2624), helped support the family as a milk carrier. She delivered milk throughout the town, carrying big cans supported by a crossbar which she balanced on her shoulders. She had six children. There was my father, Zalman Leib (2678); his brothers, Shmuel (4799) and Itche 2679); and three sisters. There was a pogrom in Shterdyn on my parents' wedding day. It wasn't that unusual. We Jews suffered under the Russians and under Polish rule. My Uncle Shmuel was killed about the time I was born in 1918. He had served in the army during World War I. When he came home he was shot by some anti-semitic Poles. My father also served in the army. He was sent out to Vladivostock. All the time, he maintained loyalty to the Jewish faith. He was very frum. He davened three times a day. My Aunt Ethel (4931) married Moshe Stolovitch (4933). She was the first to come to Canada. Moshe's family was already here. Moshe went to work in a clothing factory. My father arrived aboard the SS Regina of the White Star Line on July 11, 1923. I was seven when I left Poland with my mother and sister Jenny (2682) aboard the same ship. We left from Danzig and had a stopover in Liverpool. We landed in Canada on October 17, 1925. My father was a capmaker who continued his religious ways in Canada. He was a member of the Pinsker Shul. We lived in a neighborhood where many of the immigrant Jews originated from Pinsk. My Uncle Itche also came to Canada and worked in a leather factory. He married Mary Shwed (2681) after coming here. So three of Simcha Nutta's children came to Montreal and raised families. Itche and Ethel each had two children; Zalman Leib had four. I was his only son. The others were girls. The family here has grown tremendously. There are many more in the next generation. I, myself, married Miriam Freeman who was born in Kowno. We have a son and daughter, both married with families of their own. Our hostess Leah Teplitsky, sister of Sam Small, added the following: My mother was born Naomi Reiman (2680) in 1895 in Shterdyn. She was three years younger than my father. They grew up together in the shtetl and we think they were second cousins. My mother's mother was Sora Lippa. Mom had a sister in Omaha who was married to a Weinberg, who might also fit into the family. We're also pretty certain that our grandparents, Simcha Nutta and Chava Rachel Smolarczyk were second cousins. Before I was married I was courted by my second cousin, whose name was Sidney Kwiatek. Both my grandparents stayed in Europe and died in Shterdyn in 1939, just before the Nazi onslaught. Our father had another sister. Her name was Doha (8869) and she married into the Migdal family. They were killed during the Holocaust. Their son Sholem (8871) escaped to France in September 1939 after the German invasion of Poland. In France he lost his sight as a result of severe glaucoma. When the Germans invaded France, Sholem was arrested and forced to march towards a railroad depot where he was to be deported to a concentration camp. Along the way he stumbled and a Nazi guard, angry at the blind Jew, beat him, threw him to the ground, and left him for dead in a ditch. A French farmer found him and brought him home. This unknown "righteous Gentile" brought him back to health and sheltered him for the duration of the war. This Smolarczyk boy swore he would marry a Holocaust survivor (cont. next page) 6

MARRIAGES (cont.) marriage would be more appropriate. Yehudis married late to another man. I don't remember his Aviva Miller (4684,Pl.20fb) married Noam Kahana, a name but he also worked in the grocery. They all lived in Ger, were married and had children. And rabbinic student, (9002) on Oct. 23. Aviva is the daughter ~f Rabbi Mark Miller (4226) and Griselda (Zahava) Smolarcik they were all deported to Treblinka and murdered by (4223). Her grandparents are Herman Smolarcik (2739) and the Germans. My grandfather David was a brilliant Esther Yuken (2823). Herman's parents were Gershon man and he had a talent for writing. He would Smolarcik (2726) and Tzivia Lew (2733), both members of represent the community and wrote long letters .to our family. They emigrated from Ciechanowiec in the 1920s government officials. I remember he would. wn~e and settled in Havana, Cuba. They subsequently sponsored with a long quill pen. The letters were beautiful m many other relatives who were fleeing Europe. content and the penmanship was exquisite. My father ************************************************ was also outstanding in that respect. He was born in Shterdyn. My mother came from a fine Ger family. SMOLARCZYK (cont.) Her father was in charge of kashruth in their shtetl. We suffered terribly during the war. Most of my and raise a family in defiance of his oppressors. He would family were killed. I find it difficult to talk about it. show them that the Jews cannot be blown away so easily. I was sent to Auschwitz and the Germans used me Sholem did just that and he and his family are all in France. for diabolical deeds. But even in that hell of Simcha Nutta's line has increased dramatically since Auschwitz I kept my faith in G_d. We were starving the dark days of World War II. He and Chava Rachel gave but on Yom Kippur I fasted. Even though a dried rise to 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and at l~t crust of bread might be our only food, I would not 38 great-great-grandchildren. Simcha Nutta's brother, !>avid, eat bread during the eight days of Pesach. is the grandfather of Freida Wolman. ~e spe.nt ~ entrre ~ay Somehow through all the suffering, I survived and at the Wolman home in Toronto dunng which tnne Freida ' married a wonderful man, Irving Wolman. He is. and Irving gave us a great deal of testimony about ~eir extremely intelligent and takes very good care of experiences during World War Il. It was a very emotional me. We finally came to Canada because some of experience. The complete record will appear in our book Irving's relatives were already here. I should tell about the history of the family. The following is a short you about my .brother Aaron (2637). He, too, is abstract of some of Freida's comments: brilliant - like the other men in our family. He is I was one of eight children of Hershel (2628) and very religious, musically talented, and always had a Nechama Schreibaum (2630) Smolarczyk. We were beautiful voice. He used to sing in the Gerer all born in Ger [Gura Kalwaria] and came from a Rebbe 's synagogue. After the war, Aaron made very religious family. The famous Hasid kno~n ~ aliyah to Israel and has a nice family with five the Gerer Rebbe had a very large congregation m grandchildren. I find it difficult to talk about what our town. My older brother, Yaacov (8014), married I've been through. Others remember me when I was a cousin of the Rebbe. My mother was the daughter young and innocent. I tried to be a decent person. of Dvora Schreibaum. When my grandfather People would say, "There is no sweeter neshama Schreibaum died, my grandmother Dvora became the than Freida." second wife of David Smolarczyk who was my Let's return to the children of Velvel father's father. So Dvora was my grandmother in Smolarz. Pesach was born on April 7, 1860 in two directions. Dvora ran a grocery store which Ciechanowiec. He worked as a tailor and baker. enabled my grandfather to study the holy books. She Pesach was in his eighties when he was martyred bore him four children. These were my half-uncles during the Holocaust. His first wife, Henia (4217) and aunts. Uncle Itche (8987,Pl.20ab) made the tops had one son. His second wife was Golda Artshteyn of shoes which distinguished him from a schuster (2725). Artshteyns also intermarried with our who made the bottoms. Next was Rivka (8988) the Parczewski branch. Sarah Rosa Artshteyn's dressmaker. Uncle Nach (Noah) (8989) worked in (1783,Pl. l 7) husband was Joseph Parczewski (1782). the family grocery store. The youngest was Yehudis They were the parents of Rabbi Bencion Parczewski (8990). She was very much in love with my brother (1784) and Yehudis Mankuta (1785). Golda gave Yaacov. But he was the son of her half-brother and Pesach seven more children, five sons and two the Gerer Rebbe forbade the marriage. Yaacov had daughters. Most of those who emigrated to America been discovered by a Hasid who wanted him for his later assumed the name Greenfield, but his son daughter. The Gerer Rebbe agreed that such a (cont. on p. 8) 7 THE FAMILY IN CANADA age 10. She had left her father, S. Kaufman in Warsaw and her destination was her husband KOPYTO L.Kopito of 108 East 7th St, New York City. The SS Aquitania sailed from Southampton on Feb. During our July visit to Montreal we had an 18 1931 and arrived in New York on Feb. 24, extended telephone conversation with Sam Kopyto, an 19Jl. Aboard was Rucula (Rachel ?) Kopito, a 64 elderly gentleman who was born in Warsaw. Sam thought year old widow. Her birthplace is listed as Zalocsyn, that the Kopytos of Warsaw had relatives in the Poland. Her nearest relative in Warsaw was her son Czyzewo/Ciechanowiec area. We were pressed for time and Berel at 50A Pawja St. Her destination was her could not get to see Sam but we promised to send some daughter Esther Kopyto, living at 389 South 2nd St., information to him which might prove helpful. The Brooklyn, N.Y. She is listed as 4'9" tall with brown following is extracted from the letter sent to Sam: hair and eyes. She was also listed as senile.

As I mentioned to you, my Kopytos come from The SS Prince Friedrich Wilhelm sailing from . Ciechanowiec, Czyzewo, Zaromb, Nur, and that area. These Bremen arrived in New York on July 17, 1911. towns are about 40 miles east of Warsaw on the way to Aboard was Abram Kopita (Kopyto), a 24 year old Bialystock. In researching US immigration records, I came married tailor. He had left his wife, Malka, in across many Warsaw Kopytos which may be from your Warsaw. His destination was Leibel Friedman at 218 immediate family. As we discussed, there is a high Madison Street, New York City. Abram was 5'2" probability that the Warsaw Kopytos and those Kopytos from with blue eyes and blonde hair. my shtetlach are related but I don't know how. The following is the information on immigration I have extracted Thirty year old Chaim Kopita (Kopyto) arrived on from records in the U.S. National Archives: the SS Amerika on July 6, 1912. It had departed from Hamburg on June 26th. Chaim is listed as a The SS Leviathan departed from Cherbourg, France on Feb. shoemaker, born in Sniadowo. His wife, Chaya, was 21 1928 and arrived in New York on Feb. 27, 1928. still in that town. Chaim's destination was his step Aboard was Golda Kopyto, a 55 year old widow who had brother Beret Warshafsky, living at 294 Henry St., left her daughter behind in Warsaw. The daughter's married New York City. He was 5'4" tall with brown eyes name was Gilba Klapper and she lived at Sliska 39/25. and black hair. Golda's destination was her son Jerome Kopyto who was living at 990 Montgomery St, Brooklyn, NY. Golda was Leah Kopita (Kopyto), a 21 year old unmarried girl 5'2" with blue eyes, grey hair. Golda must have returned to arrived in New York on December 11, 1913 aboard Poland for a trip. She arrived again aboard the same ship on the SS Patricia from Hamburg. It had departed on Sept. 23, 1929. She was now listed as 57 years old and November 26, 1913. Leah is listed as a married. Her destination was J. Kopito (most likely Jerome) servant/maid. Her father was Baruch Kopyto of who was now living at 312 West 7th St in New York City. Warsaw who remained in Poland. Her destination was her brother-in-law Yosef Szenicki living at 146 The SS Mauretania departed from Southampton, England on East 98th St., New York City. May 6 1922 and arrived in New York on May 12, 1922. Aboard were 55 year old Mordko (Mordecai) Kopyto who The spellings of names might be in error as was listed as a laborer. He was accompanied by Szlama American immigration officials often did not know (Shlomo). They were from Minsk Mazowieckie and Mordko Polish or Yiddish. However, these records give a had left a brother behind named Shaje (Shia) Kopyto at 9 tremendous amount of information. I hope you Pawia in 51, Warsaw. Mordko was 5'8" tall with grey hair recognize some of the people and that the and eyes. Apparently, he had originally come ~ the US~ in information is helpful to you. I would be interested 1914 and again in 1921. This may have been his 3rd trip to in any comments you have and if you know how you the USA. His home address is listed as 4 Ridge St., New are related to any of these people. I am also York City. enclosing some charts from my family tree. It shows the Kopyto families of Czyzewo and Ciechanowiec. The SS Imperator left Southampton on July 30, 1920 and arrived in New York on August 9th. Aboard was 28 year old On November 23, we received a reply from Sheindel Kopito with her 2 boys, Mendel, age 11 and Srul, (cont. on p. 9) 8

SMOLARCZYK (cont from p. 6) sons, Meyer and Max, and two daughters, Laura (Leah) and Esther. Meyer and Max were known to Gershon (2726) was known as Smolarczyk. Gershon was the have children. Ida married Irving Wilner. Yetta's first in the family to go to Cuba. He had married Tzivia Lew husband was a Mr. Gottman by whom she had a (2733), sister of Shepsel (4627) who had married Chippa daughter. That is the extent of our knowledge. Can Smolarczyk (4623). The Lews are, of course, another branch anyone provide additional information or clues as to of the Ser-Charlap family. In keeping with the custom of how to proceed further? the time, Tzivia's parents had provided a dowry. Gershon ****************************************** was very ambitious. He was convinced that there was great OBITUARIES opportunity in Cuba, especially since the gates to the United States were closing. So around 1920 he used the dowry Albert Kaplan (5872,Pl.28) died on October 23 money to get to Cuba. He started a clothing business which after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Tillie grew into large department stores and a major manufacturing (5867). Tillie and Albert were also cousins. Albert firm. Gershon became very wealthy. Tzivia had joined him was the son of Joseph Kaplan (5921) and Bessie Lew in the mid-1920s and two sons were born. Herman (2739) (5918) and the grandson of Abraham Yitzhak (5916) and Israel (2740). These sons now live in Florida and have and Shaindel (5917) Lew. Tillie's parents were thirteen grandchildren. Herman's children are quite religious. Abraham Tuvia Lewin (Lew) (5859) and Sarah His son Mordecai Smolarcik, who opened his home to us, is Danowitz (5863). Albert was born in Winnipeg, a respected rabbi in Thornhill, Ontario, a northern suburb of Canada but came to New York where he worked for Toronto. He is Executive Director of Congregation Beth Tillie's brother and sister-in-law, Jack (411) and Avraham Yosef, the largest Orthodox synagogue in North Jeanette Danowitz (407) Levine, in their sweater America. Mordecai's sister, Zahava Golda (4223), is also manufacturing operation. Albert and Tillie had married to a prominent rabbi, Mark Miller (4226). retired to Hendersonville, North Carolina. Mordecai's lovely and talented wife Hadassah is a member of the Elbaz clan, a family of rabbis and scholars that Louis Sear (1305,Pl.8) died on August 4. He was originated in Spain. In 1492 they moved south to Morocco approximately 78 years old. Louis is survived by and have lived there for many generations. Today the Elbaz four children: Alan (1322), Edwin (1323), Annette family has spread throughout the world with many in Israel (1324), and Carolyn Rosen (1325). His survivors and some still living in Fez, Morocco. also include eleven grandchildren. Louis was born in ************************************************ Zareby Koscielnie, Poland, the son of Samuel (1298) MISSING IN CANADA and Rachel Trotz (1302) Sir. Samuel came to America in 1912 and, with several others in the Ser Mildred (Mindel) Menton's (40,Pl.3c) father-in-law family, settled in Chattanooga. Many in the family was Charles Mintz, known in some quarters as "Charlie the were in the shoe business and Louis continued that Horse Thief." Charlie's son, Bernard Mintz, recalls that his tradition, specializing in children's shoes. We father had a sister who visited the Mintz family in Brooklyn received the following letter from Alan Sear: circa 1920. Bernie doesn't recall if she was married but he does know that she left the New York area to live in My father passed away in Chattanooga on August 4, Calgary, Alberta. That is all the information we have. 1994 and was buried there in Shari Zion Cemetery. Also missing in Canada are relatives in the I would have written to you sooner but the shock of Ser/Kiejsmacher line. Tzina Leah Ser (610,Pl.1) was a his death, even though he had been ill for some daughter of Yitzhak (466) and Tyla (467). Her siblings time, has preoccupied my thoughts since then. Dad married cousins with the names Kur, Kiejsmacher, Podkowa, was a merchant in Chattanooga for over 60 years and Kopyto. Tzina Leah's husband was Usher Lerner (612) and cared for my brother and sisters after our of Czyzewo. They bad six children, among them two sons mother, Rose Rosenthal Sear (1313), died in 1959. who emigrated to Canada and lived in Montreal. Reuven He was a kind and gentle man who devoted himself (1181) and his wife Esther Hannah (1185) had one married· to his family. He was the last member of our daughter named Sophie (1189). We believe there was no immediate family who was born in Poland, marking issue from Sophie's marriage. Reuven's brother Shlomo the end of a significant era in our family's history. Aryeh (1182) and his wife Zelda (1186) had three daughters: He will be sorely missed by all of those who knew Sarah Rivka (1190), Ida (1191), and Yetta (1192). Sarah and loved him. Rivka and her husband Moshe (last name unknown) had two May the mourners of Zion find solace in family love. 9 KOPYTO (cont. from p. 7) THE FAMILY IN CANADA Sarah Kopyto Hollinger. Excerpts follow: CHARLAP,CHARLOFF,HARLAP My father, Sam Kopyto, is 91 years old and can hardly see. He was delighted to hear from you but Yitzhak Yaacov ben Eliyahu Yehezkiel was unable to answer your letter until my return to Charlap (4383,Pl.A-9) was a rabbi, cantor, and Montreal. You had mentioned Shia Kopyto. He was composer who was born in Tykocin (Tiktin). He my grandfather. Mordecai, his brother, has two lived his entire life in that city and was renowned for daughters living in Argentina. We have photos of his singing in the magnificent Tykocin synagogue, them but have lost contact. Grandpa Shia and his which miraculously still stands today. Yitzhak wife Feige Cytrinman had six sons and two Yaacov married Chaya Lifche Belouze (4384). Her daughters. Three sons survived the Holocaust: sister, Faiga Chana (7860), also married into the Chaim, Sam, and Abraham. Chaim emigrated to Charlap family and gave rise to a large South Canada before the war and changed his name to African branch of the family. The Belouze family Kaminski. His wife, Rachel Miller, delivered five boasts many distinguished members, among them the children. Two of Chaim's children are married. American-Jewish author Saul Bellow. Yitzhak Mary's husband is Harry Kugelmass. I am not ~ Yaacov and Chaya Lifche had eight children. Two touch with them, but Chaim's' youngest son, Ben, 1s of them found their way to Canada. Both followed married to my school friend, a very special lady in their father's footsteps and became cantors. Boris named Mildred Lerner. I am forwarding your (Beryl) Charloff (4385) was born circa 1888 in complete letter to Ben Kaminski. Knowing my Tykocin. He studied music at the Warsaw cousin, I am certain he will write you. My father, Conservatory and was also a student of the Sam Kopyto, married Masha Ruchnadel. She was a renowned cantor Yossele Rosenblatt. Boris married beautiful, well-educated professional who, in Warsaw Feiga Prager (5106) and a daughter Rose (4400) was before the war, ran her own advertising agency for born in 1915 in Wilna Guberniya. After Feiga's the film industry. My parents survived the war in death, Boris took a second wife, Russian born Anna Siberia. I, their only child, was born in Warsaw on Schatenshteyn (4393), and emigrated to America. A Oct. 3, 1936. We came to Canada in September of daughter, Vera (4399), was born in Brooklyn, New 1948. Abe, Shia's youngest, married Freda Inhaber York. When Vera was nine the family moved to and had a son, daughter, and grandchildren. You Toronto where Boris continued his cantorial career. mentioned an S. Kaufman of Warsaw who was the Vera and her Husband, Barney Morrison (4409) live father of Sheindel Kopyto. Dad believes he is in in Willowdale, Ontario, just outside of Toronto. London, England. Another branch in England is Boris' brother, Mordecai Charloff (4386) was born named Firestone. There are also relatives in Boston. in 1908. From 1920 to 1937 he lived in Eretz Yoched Zelickman was a sister of Shia. Her Yzsrael where he married Etta Zwet (4394). They granddaughter, Shirley Wish, lives in Manchester, came to America and then to Canada. Their son England. She would probably know the wher~bouts Aharon (4401) was born in 1941 in Chatham, of the English family. I thank you for contactmg us. Ontario. Another son, Marvin (4402) was born in I shall treasure my newly-found family tree. Of all Winnipeg. Mordecai supported his family as a cantor my Kopyto and Ruchnadel cousins in Warsaw, only and Hebrew teacher. Marvin became an accountant I survived the Holocaust. ************************************************ and now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Aharon continued the family tradition and studied music. He THE JEWISH HANDICAP is a famous and respected choral conductor and composer in Israel. An elderly religious Jew from Nur traveled to C~~· The~, he boarded the train for Warsaw. Opposite him sat an anti-semitic Polish colonel with his fierce dog. The officer, wishing to show derision of the KUR/PASTERNAK Jew, repeatedly called his dog "Moshe." The Je_w said no~ing despite his seething anger. Finally, he said to the colonel, What a pity that the poor We have already noted that in Toronto we dog has a Jewish name!" The surprised officer retorted:"Why do yo~ say met Eliezer and Esther Prisman. Esther is the that?" The Jew explained, •A Jewish name like Moshe 1s a real handicap. daughter of Rabbi Shlomo (600,Pl.4c) and Rivka With a good Polish name, he could reach real heights. He could even Rachel Pasternak (599) Rudzki. Rivka Rachel is the become an officer in the army!" ************************************************************ (cont. next page) 10 THE FAMILY IN CANADA- KUR/PASTERNAK

daughter of Shepsel Pasternak (555). Shepsel was born in Nur, the son of Baruch Pasternak (504,Pl.4) and Kayla Kur (503). His brother, Chaim Hersh (554), was born in Ostrolenko in 1873. He ran a bakery in Grajewo and emigrated to New York in 1935 where he continued to work as a baker for Tifka Sier (470,Pl.2) on Delancey Street. Chaim Hersh's son, Paltiel (743) had found his way to Barbados in the West Indies. There he became a successful businessman. His two children, Jack (972) and Clara (971) had been born in Grajewo and had studied in Canada. Each found a Jewish Canadian mate and settled in that country. Paltiel continued to live in Barbados where he was a major supporter of the Jewish community. After his first wife died he felt lonely and moved to Montreal. He died in May of 1992. Jack Pasternak is a chemical engineer living in Sarnia, Ontario with his wife Ricki Wiseman (974). Their two sons are both doctors, Steven (975) in medicine and Andrew (976) in engineering. Steven's wife is also a medical doctor. Clara is married to Norman Halpern (973), a management consultant and professor. Their daughter Karen (990) earned a Ph.D. in communication disorders. Daughter Wendy (991) is a psychologist, married with one child. ******************************************************************************************* THE SHTETL HOME

1he houses were low and made of mud, and instead of hardwood floors the ground was plastered with fresh clay - mixed with manure to give it solidity - which had to be removed every Friday. A family occupied but one room, or two at the most; but the houses were individual and sufficient, and the yard, spacious and green in summer, was filled with trees and flowers to delight the senses ... Homes were not furnished with parlor sets of velvet, and the womenfolks did not wear diamonds to market; but on the other hand they did not endure the insolence of an installment agent, making a fearful scene whenever he failed to receive his weekly payment. No one was envious because his neighbor's wife had.finer clothes and costlier jewels than his own had. 1he pride ofa family was in its godliness and in its respected forebears. Such luxury as there was consisted in heavy copper utensils and silver candelabra, which were passed on as heirlooms from generation to generation - solid, substantial things, not the fleeting vanities of dress and upholstery. - Marcus Ravage as quoted by Irving Howe in How We Lived ******************************************************************************************* THE MORAL

1he study ofthe history ofEurope during the past centuries teaches us one uniform lesson: That the nations which have received and in any way dealt fairly and mercifully with the Jew have prospered; and that the nations that have tortured and oppressed him have written out their own curse. - Olive Screiner, 1906 ******************************************************************************************* THE SER-CHARLAP FAMILY ASSOCIATION P.O.BOX 108 COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY 11724