Letters to the Maidenberg Family in America from the Family in Russia, 1956-1993

1 Letters to the Maidenberg family in America from the family in Russia, 1956-1993 [Begun in 1956 by Joseph, these letters are the core documents of the Maidenberg family.] 2 Joseph Maidenberg breaks the silence of years, writing to his American relatives after somehow learning of the death of his brother David. Kishinev, Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, March 14, 1956. ......................................11 The second letter we have from Joseph is dated almost 9 years later. In it, Joseph writes that he has heard from his family, and has seen photographs. Kishinev, February 6, 1965. ..................................................................................13 Joseph gives a recounting of the Maidenberg family genealogy, in which he traces the family name to Magdeburg, Germany. Kishinev, March 8, 1965. ..15 Joseph writes to Milt about the derivation of family names, says he has received a warm letter from Toby, acknowledges that to his American relatives he is an enigmatic and distant figure. Kishinev, June 12, 1965. ........18 Joseph writes of religion, describes the character of the Maidenbergs, and wonders about a possible meeting. Kishinev, Sept. 12, 1965. ............................20 In the sole letter from 1966, Joseph writes of his poor health. Kishinev, (Month omitted) 12, 1966. .....................................................................................23 Joseph wishes Milt a Happy New Year and apologizes for not writing more th frequently. He laments the wars of the 20 century. Kishinev, Nov. 9, 1967..24 Joseph worries about his old age and the health of his sisters Esther and Olya. He asks about Milt’s trip to Israel. Kishinev, April 3, 1968 ..............................26 Joseph tells the story of how David foiled the Odessa bandits. Kishinev, July 25, 1968. ...................................................................................................................27 Joseph receives a parcel and writes that he has heard from Esther. Kishinev, March 7, 1969. ........................................................................................................29 Joseph sends condolences on the death of Rose, and advises Milt that a visit will not be possible due to “circumstances”. Kishinev, May 18, 1969. .............30 Joseph writes of Olya’s serious illness. He recalls how the Maidenberg family would celebrate Purim in Dzigovka, and reiterates some genealogical information. Kishinev, March 27, 1970. .............................................................32 Joseph recalls how his father described Yom Kippur, and relates a favorite Talmudic verse of Solomon: Kishinev, October 24, 1970 .................................35 3 In what appears to be Joseph’s last letter, he discourses on anti-Semitism: Kishinev, November 25, [1970] .............................................................................37 Anna, Joseph’s second wife, writes in Russian of Joseph’s death a year earlier, and describes her husband’s character: Kishinev, May 5, 1972 ......................38 Malieh (Manya), the sole surviving sibling, finds the address “by chance”, and writes her nephews in America. Odessa, Ukraine, March 15, 1979. ................40 A month later, Manya writes again. Odessa, April 4, 1979. ..............................41 Manya has received a letter from Sylvia, and replies. Odessa, July 1, 1979. ...42 Manya writes of the photo taken of the Maidenberg girls, and describes her family. Odessa, August 18, 1979. ..........................................................................43 Manya writes Milt, mentions relatives living in Kishinev, recalls a visit from Shimon Balaban. Odessa, August 19, 1979. .........................................................45 There are reasons, Manya says, why she did not write for such a long time. Odessa, January 1, 1980. .......................................................................................46 Manya writes Sylvia of the joy of receiving letters from America, and imagines a meeting in person. Odessa, January 16, 1980. .................................48 Manya asks about all the news, and reports she is feeling better. Odessa, February 11, 1980. .................................................................................................50 Manya writes that she is “interested in everything”. Odessa, February 18, 1980. .........................................................................................................................51 Manya thanks Milt for a parcel, and asks for more letters. Odessa, March 3, 1980. .........................................................................................................................52 Manya wonders about San Diego, tells Sylvia her husband has a kind face and her daughters are beautiful. Odessa, April 2, 1980. ...........................................53 Manya says it will be a dream come true when she and her husband are able to meet Milton. Odessa, May 21, 1980. ................................................................54 Manya writes Milton that she and Solomon have moved; she says she is often ill. Odessa, November 12, 1980. ............................................................................56 4 Manya worries that the correspondence has ebbed. “Please do not forget us.” Odessa, December 25, 1980. ..................................................................................57 Manya continues to worry about the lack of correspondence; she writes that she has sent Milton the address of Joseph’s son (Amnon). Odessa, February 2, 1981. .........................................................................................................................58 Amnon, surprised to learn of the correspondence with Manya but pleased to have received a letter from Milton, writes his first letter to his American relatives. In it, he tells about his family and his life. He explains why Milt’s visit to the relatives was canceled. Kishinev, March 15, 1981. .........................59 Amnon describes how he writes letters in English, and is able to signal to Milt that he understands the situation with Israel, using “cousin Shimon” as the code. Kishinev, May 18, 1981. ...............................................................................62 In what would be her last letter, Manya says her family has moved again. She says she is often ill. Odessa, May 20, 1981. .........................................................64 Amnon writes Sylvia how he remembers carrying her on his shoulders when she was a child. At the end of the letter, he conveys the sudden news of the death of Manya. Kishinev, May 25, 1981. ............................................................65 Amnon writes about Frida’s life and death. Kishinev, June 3, 1981. ...............67 Amnon provides Sylvia a detailed description of Maidenberg family genealogy, saying the family came to Ukraine in the 18th century from Germany and Poland. He adds in a postscript that two cousins remain fearful of communicating with their American relatives. Kishinev, August 30, 1981. 68 In a nearly identical letter to Milt, Amnon recites the family genealogy, this time recalling even more distant forebears who wrote religious melodies and practiced cabala. Kishinev, Sept. 24, 1981. ..........................................................71 Amnon asks Sylvia if Shimon has learned of his sister Frida’s death, describes some of his health problems, and provides a translation of a letter from Lidia Brenner. Kishinev, December 12, 1981. ...............................................................74 Here is the translation of the letter from Odessa (It is not dated): ...................75 Amnon says the family is honored to learn that Michael’s son Joseph is named for his father. In a short lesson in East European history, he tells how the Maidenberg family was separated for 20 years, how his father Joseph brought 5 his mother Pearl to Moldova after the Soviets reacquired Bessarabia in 1940. Pearl died in 1941. Her grave and the Maidenberg home were destroyed in the fighting between the Germans and Soviets. Kishinev, January 12, 1982. ........76 Amnon sends condolences to Sylvia on the death of her brother, and wonders if Milton will visit in the spring. Kishinev, March 21, 1982. ..............................79 Amnon itemizes the descendants of Solomon and Pearl, noting that he and his son alone continue to bear the name of Maidenberg. Kishinev, March 21, 1982. .........................................................................................................................80 Amnon describes to Ellen how he writes his letters in English. He apologizes for being a tardy correspondent---he has had another brush with Soviet medicine. “So please don’t be angry with your old uncle, my efficient, warm- hearted and romantic niece.” Kishinev, March 24, 1982. ...................................82 Amnon sends Milt and Frank condolences on the death of Meyer, who Amnon recalls as the first to correspond with Joseph. Amnon philosophizes on death and the hereafter. He apologizes for having asked his relatives to send his son a leather coat. Kishinev, May 3, 1982. .................................................................84 Amnon thanks his cousin for the coat. He tells Milt he has been looking at a map of America, and pondering how it is that the children now live so far from their parents. Kishinev, June 18, 1982. ......................................................86 Amnon refers to a possible visit

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