A PVAR TORAH ABOUT TOLEPOT

Rabbi Jack Riemer

Since the name of this magazine is TOLEDOT, Now in the case of the genealogy of Ishmael, let me share with you a word of Torah about the who was not such a nice man, we can understand meaning of this wo.rd. It is one that I first that the spelling is defective. Perhaps that is learned from Rabbi William G. Braude of Provi- a way of hinting that the person was defective in dence, who is a master of the Midrash. his character. But notice that in the case of The word Totedot means generations. It is Noah, and in the case of Jacob, and even in the the word with which all of the "begats" in the case of Moses and Aaron, who were fine people, Bible begin. "These are the toledot of so and the word is still spelled defectively. so. So and so gave birth to so and so who gave There are only two places in the entire Bi- birth to so and so." If you count them you will ble where the word Totedot is spelled perfectly, see that the word Totedot appears thirteen times with two Vavh. The first is in Genesis, at the in the Bible. At the beginning we find: "These beginning of the Bible: "These are the t0l~d0k are the totedot of heaven and earth when they of heaven and'earth." And the other is at the were created." Further on we find: "These are end of the book of Ruth, when the genealogy of the totedot of Noah," then: "These are the kaledot David, the ancestor of the Messiah, is traced. of Shem," "These are the kokkdot of Ishmael," What is the implication of this? What it These are the ;toRedok of Esau," etc. etc. means is that perhaps at the very beginning of Now one very careful student of the Torah creation the world may have been perfect, and among the Sages of the Midrash noticed something perhaps at the very end, when the Messiah comes, strange.. He noticed that in eleven of the thir- the world may be perfect again, but in between teen cases where the word Toledot appears, it is one should not require or desire perfection, spelled incompletely, or imperfectly. That is to either from others or from oneself. In between say, one of the two Vavh is missing. The VUV can we live in a real world, a world of frail, falli- be either a letter or a vowel, and it can be ble, foolish people, and we have to learn to live printed - in which case the word is called "full" with them, and to accept them with all of their or "perfect," or it can be replaced with a "dot - shortcomings. Otherwise, if we demand perfection in which case the word is called "missing" or from them, or from ourselves, we will drive them ltimperfect." This Sage noticed that in eleven of mad and ouriselves as well. the thirteen cases, the word Totedot has one Vav ,It is a seemingly small detail of the Bibli- missing. In the case of the Toteduk of Ishmael, cal text, but the idea that the Midrash derives both Vavh are missing. It is as if the word from it is a big one. It is a lesson that those were spelled "gtntrations ." who wish to study their family tree should take to heart so that they will not be disappointed Rabbi Jack Riemeh h the SchoRan in Renidence a.t if, or better when, they find out that not all of ConglregaZion B'd Amoona inSk. LoLLin and the their ancestors were giants of the spirit. And Editolr 04 Jewish Reflections On Death pubRibhed it is one that all of us should take to heart if by Schocken, Addnenh: 524 Thidg Ave, , St. we want to learn how,to live with imperfect peo- Lo&, MO 63130. ple in an imperfect world.

PEAR EDITORS :

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF UTAH wish to view. The majority of these films are Your magazine and the information it con- not on the library she'lves because of space limi- tains has helped me so much I feel I have to con- tations (they are not frequently used). It re- tribute something to others. Your listing of quires up to a few days to get the films from Jewish records in the Polish collection at the the storage areas. Genealogical Society of Utah [Mormon Library] I was told by library personnel that they helped me plan for a five day stop in Salt Lake would be happy to secure the films at the library City in July. for anyone who would send a listing of requested Everyone there was extremely helpful, but I films a few weeks in advance. had one difficulty. To help others avoid the Bud Sphzman same problem, Iisuggest that anyone going to the 5921 Simpnun Ave. Mormon Library and wishing to use Eastern Euro- N. HoLtywaod, CA 91607 pean Jewish records, especially Polish records, send ahead a listing of the film numbers they ***** AUSTRALIA into their family history. The school has now family members, knows something about Jewish his- A minor irritant, surely, but when I'm told in I have found the first issue of TOLENT I made the project compulsory and a part of their tory. the text to refer to a chart on page 97, it helps received most interesting, and have already found curriculum in contemporary Jewish History in the Right? No, wrong. Information must be up- to have a page number to guide me. Chapters, myself in the position of being able to shed some fourth year of the high school course. to-date, directions easy to understand and follow too, are not numbered in the text, although they light on your readersq queries in "The Jewish As Australia is now largely a country of so that beginners don't become discouraged. are numbered in the table of contents. Family Finder" in that issue, which I will answer first and second generation Jewish immigrants, Charts must be useful, relevant, convenient to About 20 pages of the book are devoted to directly to those readers. an astonishing variety of family stories emerges use. It isn't enough to cannibalize other books research sources; some of the listings contain I intend writing a short article for our each year when I correct these essays: from the on the subject, throw in a bit of autobiographical incorrect or outdated information. The author local Jewish weekly newspaper on your quarterly, emergence to Jewish consciousness of a Soviet information to show the reader that the author has has not done his homework. because I think it is important that it become. Jewish activist, to wartime service in the Hun- done some research of his/her own, and then take MY J&h Rood contains a lengthy list of known in the Jewish world. garian army, to Israel at the time of the period an ego trip on the road to searching out fore- questions, suggested for use in interviewing There is increasing interest here now in of Independence, to Germany in the 30ts, and fathers and foremothers. It's a dead giveaway relatives, both foreign and American born. Such family geneal-ogy. I have helped to foster this flight out of it, etc. I only wish they could when the back cover blurb claims a book is "the suggestions are of some value in deciding what to by sponsoring since 1975 a research project for be printed. first how-to book with thoroughly Jewish orienta- ask, but my experience has been that it is wiser which I give the prizes among Year 10, sixteen- Sopkie Cap&n tion" when the fact is that Dan Rottenberg's to ask a relevant question of interest to the year old students of our local Jewish high school. 5 Woonona Road Finding Outr Fakhm was available to Jewish gene- interviewee, and then listen, taking notes only There is a choice of a number of topics, all in- Nohthbnidg e 2 063 alogists several years before Kranzler's book when dates, names, and interesting anecdotes are volving research by the youngsters themselves Sydney, N.S.W., Aud,Cfu&ia was published. discussed. I find bombarding those I question, My JdhROO& offers (like the final song especially the elderly who often tire easily, an in "Fiddler on the Roof") "a little bit of this, exhausting and fruitless exercise, especially a little bit of that...", some history, some when time is limited during a visit. Had I fol- background in genealogy in the Bible and Talmud. lowed some of the suggestions in the book, such It offers advice on starting research and on as asking my cousin Goldie whether our mutual keeping records, recommends methods of collecting relatives were ffanidim or Ui;tnagdim, or querying A NEW "HOW TO" BOOK information, interviewing, making movies, buying her on her parents' economic and social ambitions, .cameras and film. In short--and that's where it I might have missed learning that my grandfather Gertrude Singer Ogushwitz fails--there's something for every genealogist, once told her that he came from a place that was ~ beginner or advanced, except truly new and useful sometimes Poland and sometimes Germany, a clue My h Roo;ta : A Guide to Thacing and J& Ptracticat I've read Dan Rottenberg 's Finding Outr information, presented in a clear, logical, easy- khich led to my learning of his birth in Wroclaw, Recohding Yam Genatogy and FWyffhto+y. BY FcLthehb from cover to cover several times, and to-follow manner. Poland (sometimes Breslau, Germany). David Kranzler. New York: Sepher-Hermon Press, each time I reread it, I find new clues which I The business-at-hand, how to trace and record Nowhere, in Kranzler's book or elsewhere, Inc. [I75 Fifth Ave., 10010], 1979. 102 p., with somehow missed the first few times I studied it genealogical information, is shunted to the back have I ever come across a hint that some people --new sources of information, new leads to in- charts. $7.95, paper. of the book. Many of the suggestions are useful, won't answer questions at all, won't give infor- vestigate--items which become relevant as I con- but I wonder why some authors who write about mation over the phone, won't answer letters, I'm always a little suspicious of people tinue work on my genealogy. Jewish genealogy presuppose that we are all de- won't welcome visitors, won't talk about the who, having worked on a genealogy for a short Yaffa Draznin's paperback, The fami&! ffh- scended from residents of Eastern European dkleted past, even think the genealogist medhugah for time, are able to write a detailed family his- Xohhmln ffandbooh, has also given me information or don&, that our relatives are immersed in Yid- searching out information about the past. The tory which covers mishpoche, both dead and alive, on gathering materials, arranging files, inter- dishkeit, that they would of course own Siddw~im beginning genealogist should know what the exper- sometimes going back two hundred years. viewing, researching, locating sources, and many or Mahzohim, or even "a well-thumbed copy of a ienced genealogist has learned over time--some I've been working diligently on my family other adjuncts to learning more about the families information will never be recovered; it is lost tree for over ten years, gathering information which interest me. Tnelena Uhe'enatl @. 33) which might contain fam- ily information on a flyleaf. What makes them forever. To approach the study of genealogy with for much longer than that. I've met many cousins I've gained a great deal of knowledge about the belief that all sources lead to knowledge is Jewish names from Benzion Kaganoffts Didonatty believe that all of us Jews spring from families and aunts, and located many names; talked to some d to be disappointed. Far better to use your imag- JUh and Theitt ffintoky, except for two which belonged to Landmav~clhadten or attended a people and written to others, but I'm still just 06 Namu ination and enthusiasm to learn what you can, and starting my work, and have no hope of publishing important facts: where and how the name Ogushwitz nMbt (or even the most Reform of temples)? Why do they take for granted that our ancestors went enjoy the process as an end to itself. In good a family history in my lifetime. originated, and what it means; and why my parents from boat to Hester Street, on their way to Jewish traditional thought, I believe it's my re- Probably that's because I believe the family didn't give me a Jewish name at all. "Forest Hills or Beverly Hills," by way of the sponsibility to start the work, but not necessar- history is contained in the worksheets I use, in I have, aside from these books, a library of how-to books on genealogy and family history, and Bronx or Brownsville? Don't they know that many ily mine to finish it. my files, and in notations I make for my own use, If a good deal of this critique seems like and for the interest and possible pleasure of a collection concerned with Jewish sociology, Jews spoke German, Hungarian, French, English, history, migrations and other topics which I read but never a word of Yiddish? nit-picking, it's not meant in the spirit which those who follow in my footsteps. asks whether a flea has a pupih. It's valid to I think about genealogy every waking hour; and reread in an effort to make my search for Often books like ~ranzler'sperpetuate 4 complain when there are nine or ten pages of il- every clue in Jewish-related magazines or news- minhpoche interesting and factual. sterotypes that his very subject, genealogy, Most of these lustrations (in a 102 page book) which are histo- papers is considered a possible source of a books are helpful and easy to understand, their should be working to dispel. Jews, like women, should be known in their infinite variety. rically interesting, but not relevant to the sub- familiar name, city, occupation. instructions and suggestions well-written, full d of good and relevant advice and illustrations, In his chapter "Getting it All Together," ject at hand, and it's valid to complain when a Ge&Ou.de Singa Ogunmz O a &me.-lance Wa, exciting to own, to use, to think about. the author suggests forms, charts and miscellan- chart suggested for use in listing the names of teacha and tectwra, An :ie gou on, nhe con- Kranzler's My J&h Roo24 doesn't compare eous record-keeping techniques and devices which offspring has a space for "son of" but none for centrrateb mohe on genedog y and tun on hm pho- to these valuable books. This book, I find, is add up to one enormous paper chase. Not only are "daughter of. dednbionae mhh ah a money-management conuthxnt. another example of an author jumping aboard the his instructions confusing, and his numbering It's valid to question the suggestion that She'n Ztying .to tmnwhy haSinga ghand,$zthm "Roots" bandwagon. Genealogy is "hot," so why system convoluted, but the charts which illustrate the reader consider the purchase of "an excellent, gave each 06 kin nonh ki6 om name, J&w, a a not write a book about it? Anyone can do it-- the system he describes are at the very end of new, very light 35mm camera...in the $250-$350 Wename, Addrtedn : 79 Stom ff&gktb Road, anyone can be a mayven who has done a little re- the book, which necessitates turning pages to range, though any one used carefully will do." A S;eom, CT 0626ti. search, done a little reading, interviewed a few find the one referred to, and then - AHA! - the camera is useful, surely, for taking pictures of page in question turns out not to be numbered. headstones in the cemetery, and of relatives for TO LEDOTISUMMER 7 9 79 5 1 an album, but I believe the choice of a camera, ~ and instructions on its use, are best left to BOOKSff EL F TffE JEWISH FAMILY FINDER experts and the state of the researcher's finan- David M. Brownstone, Irene M. Franck, and Doug- ces. The editors of TOLEDOT invite its readers 79-73 Richard GLASER, 3702 Woodspring Ct., Randalls- lass L. Brownstone. Z~hndod Hope., lbhnd od to make inquiries about their research to the I question too why nowhere in the book does Tw. New York: Rawson, Wade Publishers, Inc. town, MD 21133 --- Seeking information: Dr. Richard the author suggest sending stamped, self-addressed hundreds of Jewish genealogists who read our STEIN, married sister of Henry MORGENTHAU Sr., ancestors [630 Third Ave., 100171, 1979. 307 p. Illus- journal . originally from Saaz or Horshowitz, also Wilhelm STEIN envelopes with queries to individuals and to pri- trated. $11.95. "In their own words, the story of same. NALOS, from Solan(?); Joachim PICK, Teplice; vate organizations. For $5.00, we will print your 25-word an- of those alive today who made the great migration nouncement containing the surnames, towns, or Baruch STAMPF, Prague; Max GANS-SCHILLER, Lobositz; The book is hard to read and follow. The through Ellis Island from the Old World to the Bernard GLASER, Hodonin, all Czechoslovakia. pictures which decorate each page are interesting, other information that you might wish to include New." Although the book deals with numerous eth- in your inquiry. Your name and address are but far better if space had been left for the re- nic groups, there is considerable material on the 79-74 Cantor Don GOLDBERG, 2119 Kirkwood Ave., Merrick, searcher to make notes and comments while read- * listed free of charge. For announcements of NY 11566 --- Looking for information on Julia RUBIENS, immigration experiences of Jews. I more than 25 words, an additional 204 per word 49 Riverdale Ave., Yonkers, NY. In 1907, she sponsored ing. The "Suggested Readings and Sourcesv has Adolf GOLDBERG(ER)'s immigration. Possible sisters some listings annotated and others without should be added. Eatan E Ce- EWopun &neaLogAint, no. 2, To avoid inaccuracies, please type or print Leopoldina LINZER and Charlotte SCHAEFER. explanation; no hint is given of the language annual issue 1978. 38 p. $4.00. Published by P in which the text is written. your announcement. Indicate surnames in CAPITAL 79-75 Cantor Don GOLDBERG, 2119 Kirkwood Ave. , Merrick, The Augustan Society, Inc., 1510 Cravens Ave., letters, as we do in the listings, in order to NY 11566 --- Seeks information Carl SCHAEFER (1854 Buda- There are better, more complete, more read- Torrance, CA 90501, whose Eastern & Central Euro- able sources for the information this book pro- distinguish them from place names. pest - 1940 New York). Married Rosa HECHT - daughter pean Genealogy and Research Committee invites the Send your check along with the wording of Adele. Calvaryman in Boer War. Emigrated 1900 from mises, but fails, to deliver. To his credit, submission of material for the journal. Antwerp. Second wife, Charlotte. Kranzler lists some of them in his list of sug- your query to: TOLEDOT, 155 East 93 Street, gested readings. Suite 3C, New York, NY 10028. Lawrence J . Epstein. "Genealogy ." wohed Ova, About the charts for listing information, April 6, 1979, p. 8-9, 16. A brief introduction 79-76 Cantor Don GOLDBERG, 2119 Kirkwood Ave., Merrick, there's good news and bad news: NY 11566 --- Seeking Stephan SCHAEFER (SARKANY). Born The good news to Jewish genealogy, in this monthly magazine for in Hungary. Emigrated and married, divorced Esther is that permission is given on page 41 to photo- children published by the Board of Jewish Educa- FELD, 1920s. Lived in N.Y.C. Would be 60's or 70's. copy any chart published in the book which the tion of Greater New York, 426 W. 58 St., New 79-66 Arye BARKAI, 1777 Grand Concourse, 11N, Bronx, Father, Adee or Eddie. reader might wish to use. The bad news is that York, NY 10019. The teacher's edition includes NY 10453 --- Requesting information regarding: Cesar the charts, with the exception of the well-known some additional material relating to this arti- LEIBOWITZ/Leon KIRSHEN of Carlsbad. Galician towns of 79-77 Cantor Don GOLDBERG, 2119 Kirkwood Ave., Merrick, NY 11566 --- Seeking information: Jacob TAKCE (BALTAKCE) and often published ancestor chart, and of the cle. Student edition $.50, teacher's ed. $.SO. Krasne, Ranczyna, Sienawa, Sokolow. FINK(CH)ELSTEIN Correspondence and Phone Interview Log, ask for from Tirgu Neam;, Romania. ENGELHEIM family. b.1877 Ukraine. Emigrated 1903. Married Rose ABOVITZ. Children: George, David, Manny, May GREENSPAN, Gertie, extraneous information of questionable value. Jeffrey S. Gurock. When Wa?l Jdh, 7 870- 79-67 William K. BERTON, 2071 Augsburg Dr., Saginaw, Eppie, etc. Jacob died in 1940. Short shrift is given to the descendentst chart 7930. New York: Columbia University Press 1136 MI 48603 --- Seeking descendants of Leon (Leib) and which many genealogists find of strategic import- S. Broadway, Irvington-on-Hudson, NY 105331, Bella (Beile) DOBRINER, also descendants of Sara and 79-78 Cantor Don GOLDBERG, 2119 Kirkwood Ave., Merrick, ance in determining further research in following 1979. 216 p. Illustrated. $15.00. "New York's Tobias (Tewje) THEODOR from East Prussia. Related to NY 11566 --- Seeking information: Benjamin SATENSPIEL, a family line. Lower East Side has long been famous as the first Rabbi Julius THEODOR. b.1878 Austria-Hungary. Married Annie BELLA 1901. And what mention of TOLEDOT? That journal Children: Moshe, Frank, George, Rosalind. He lived on home for thousands of Jewish immigrants, and Har- 79-68 Howard BLUE, 36 Marwood Pl., Stony Brook, NY Myrtle Ave., and 901 Lafayette Ave. [Brooklyn], d.1927. is mentioned in footnotes on pages 66 and 73, but lem as America's first black ghetto. But laymen 11790 --- Seeking: WOLITZER (Podkamen). PAPERNIK no explanation is given of what it is, what it and scholars alike have failed to recognize that, (Brody). GALITZ (Zbarazh?). BLUSTEIN (Drogichin nad 79-79 Julie GOLDSTICK, 450 West End Ave., New York, NY does, what it hopes to accomplish. No presenta- after the Lower East Side, Harlem was once the Bugem and Buzysk-Poland). BUKSENBAUM (Semiatich). 10024 --- Looking for GOLDSTICKs, information on descend- tion is made of its features, especially of the second largest center for new Jewish immigrants. BUSHLOWITZ (Berezen). PERRES (Bobruisk). Need infor- ants of Yehuda Laybe GOLDSTICK from Peltene or Ventspils "Jewish Family Finder'' which is of such value. This book tells the forgotten story of a Jewish mation about these towns. Latvia. Also descendants of Hirshel and Michel GOLDSTICK. No inkling is given of where or by whom it is community of well over 100,000, the single 79-69 Harry D. BOONIN, 112 Pocasset Rd., Philadelphia, 79-80 Jerry GRANAT, 1481 Stevenson Rd., Hewlett, NY published, the cost of a subscription or of back largest ethnic group in Harlem." PA 19115 --- Interested in exchanging information about 11557 --- Looking for people who lived (or relatives) in copies. There is no mention of it in the list Slutzk and its suburbs (i.e., Koverzitz, Matzkewitz or Tysmienica, Poland. I have and seek information on that of selected readings. Arthur Kurzweil . "Hizzonert s Roots. " NfU4 Yohh, Timkowitz). Also BOONIN, BUNIN, ASAF and ASOFSKY. area. Name was spelled GRANATH there in 1900. Aside from a useful chapter on the Jewish October 29, 1979, p. 46-48. About the colorful Also BAIN from Slutzk. calendar (which would have benefitted by some 79-81 Luke HARRIS, 32 Aysgarth Ave., Liverpool, England forebears of New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch. 79-70 Randy DAITCH, 206 Fifth Ave., Venice, CA 90291 --- Grandparents Jacob SCHNITLINGER, cabinetmaker, Cra- information on the change from the Julian Calen- Looking for descendants of Rabbi Mordechai MELTZER Daniel B. Syme. "Names, Names, Names: Some Jew- --- cow; Malka ROSENSTOCK, Vienna; Froyem Tchornishleve dar to the Gregorian Calendar in Europe,) there (KLATZKO) of Lida. My grandmother Sarah Rivka BARRABA- HARRIS; Fraydl ROSENSTOCK. Father, Shloyme (Solly) in are errors, omissions, typos, mistakes and out- ish Teachings, Supei-stitions, and Favorites." CHIK DAITCH (born 1891 in Lida), younger sister of England 1897. Mother Pearl SCHNITLINGER1s relatives in dated information in this short, overpriced vol- Redom Judahrn, September 1979, p. 16. Motel, Maisha, and Chava, and daughter of Binyomin Chicago known. ume, making it a less than useful adjunct to the (died around 1894) and Rachel Leah (a milk and dairy genealogist's bookshelf. ToRedot&Lnu: Finding Yam Own Rooa , An Ac;tivLty 1, merchant), claimed to be his great-great-granddaughter. 79-82 Janyce LASTMAN, 37 Evanston Dr., Downsview, Ont., Booh. Canada M3H 5P2 --- Looking for (1) Any LASTMAN (probably Milwaukee, WI: B. Arbit Books [8050 N. 79-71 Edward L. FRANK, POB 372, Amawalk, NY 10501 --- originating Szydlowiec, Ostroviec, Warsaw, Lodz, Poland). Port Washington Rd., 532171, 1978. 40 p. $3.00, Seeking information on Jacob and Dora JOEL, my grand- (2) Chaim, Chanel, Gitel, Eliah, Nootah, Sara LASTMAN, EDITOR'S NOTE: Tkin h~~ifU4h one peh,hon'n paper. Designed for school use, this guide to d father and their son Isaac born N.Y.C. 1864, his sister last seen Bobroisk, Russia, c.1938, children of Moshe opinion, What'd gum? We'd fihe ;ta hem dh~m Jewish genealogy is unfortunately a quick paste- Hannah, married name WRAY. LASTMAN, Esther KOFFMAN, Szydlowiec, early 1900s. you. up job which %orrowsl' much material from other sources without giving credit and which really 79-72 Beth BOLKER GALLETO, 488 Redwood Ave., Corte 79-83 Janyce LASTMAN, 37 Evanston Dr., Downsview, Ont., Madera, CA 94925 --- Looking for (1) descendants of Ehud Canada M3H 5P2 --- Looking for (1) Descendants of Hainoch doesn't seem to be of much help to the beginning OSHEROFF (OSHEROV). Children Harry, Irving, Stella, (Henry) LASTMAN, born c.1885, last seen New York c.1910, researcher. from Kiev area to Chicago early 1900s. One possibly a occupation baker. (2) Descendants of Meyer, Pesel dentist. (2) Descendants of Shmuel VELKOVSKY (VELIKOV- WAICHTSHANDLER/FILBERMAN / Leon, Leah STEINBERG, of Pol- SKY), son of Monye and grandson of Yitzchak Yisroel and and (children Simon, Yetka, Solomon, Shoil, Tchecha) Chaya Vora of Pogar. Shmuel's daughter married MAYEROV. presumed dead W.W.11. Possibly in New York.

TOLEDOTISUMMER 7 979 79-84 E. A. LIVINGSTON, c/o Rio Blouse, 1001 Sixth Ave., 79-94 Lynne MALAT NISBERG, 14 Pelham La., Ridgefield, New York, NY 100?8 --- Wanted: ARONBERGs (ARENBERG, ARN- CT 06877 --- Seeking information about Ziska YANOWITZ DISCOVERING CEMETERIES IN EASTERN EUROPE BERG) of Des Moines, Iowa, 1886. Pesach, Dora, Debra, from Pruzhany, Beylorussia and his two brothers and Arthur Kurzweil Chaim, Isaac Joseph, Yeedle, Simcha Layb. LEVENSTEINs sisters, born around 1870. His wife Lifsha (Linne) (LIVINGSTON) of Volkovysk, Grodno Province, Russia, LEVINE, supposedly hi-class, wealthy family from Grodna "There's nothing there. Don't waste your living in Poland 1886. Itteh (STONE), Simcha, Moses, Slavah (RHEIN- Gubernia. MALAT, PRU---NSKY, BERNSTEIN from Korno, caust and their children--still STEIN, Jake RHINESTEIN), Chaya Malka (CHARLAP: Jennie, Russia. time. Everything was destroyed." and Hungary. After having found them and after Menucha, Shayna Deena). GINZBURGs of Schaki, Lithuania, How many times I was warned! Either my having written to them regularly for a few years, 1886. Rayze, Menachem Eliezer, Hannah, Cheyne Golda. 79-95 Dorothy B. PETERSON, PO Box 63, Hitchcock, TX friends and family urged me not to make my trip it was time for us to meet. I couldn't wait to ZAMELSONs of Volkovysk, Sarah, Ezekiel, Hoskel. 77563 --- Seeking information on or connections with to Eastern Europe because I would not find any- see them, touch them, love them. Second, I am of EPHRAIM family in wholesale merchandise business New thing there, or they insisted that the countries I was born after the Holocaust, Also BAER and Tamar LEVINSON family a new generation. 79-85 Sara MARROW, 13341 Killion St., Van Nuys, CA York City in 1850s. in which our family was killed during the Holo- in SLutewo on the Vishula, Poland, 1820s. and I believe that we must build bridges again 91401 --- Seeking parentage: David STEINAU, born caust were no place for a visit. Steinau, Germany, 1846; arrived St. Louis, 1859 (Nash- between our countries and our former enemies. It ville and Mobile); wife Sarah MEYER, born Louisville, 79-96 David POLISH, 1200 Lee St., Evanston, IL 60202 But I didn't listen. Not that I was con- is my belief, my optimism in what humankind can daughter of Louis and Lena ZEUGSCHMIDT MEYER (Pennsyl- --- Seeking information about survivors of Erzvilkas, vinced that I would be able to make significant achieve. vania). Lithuania, and relatives of MAZINTER family, and genealogical discoveries in Hungary, Poland, and SHERESHEVSKY family, in Erzvilkas. the Soviet Union, but I wanted to try. In fact, THE CEMETERIES Of POLAND AND HUNGARY 79-86 Belle MEST, 6030 N. Sheridan Rd., Apt. 1505, it hardly mattered if I found information or not. 79-97 I. Libby GREENGARD ROSENFIELD, 130 St. Edwards So much happened during my two trips to Chicago, IL 60660 --- Seeking members of MEST family. If there was nothing to be seen in these coun- Have information on Samuel MEST, born 1876, Lomza, Rus- St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 --- Seeking information on any Eastern Europe (eight weeks in all) that I could sia (now Poland) who lived in Holland and then immigra- GREENGARD from Lithuania, Germany, England, Canada, tries where my family lived for centuries, then write a book. This article will center almost ted to Canada (1910). Also, Joseph MEST, born 1884, Israel (YARCONI), United States, or any other country. I simply wanted to see the "nothing" that was exclusively on the cemeteries I visited. I was Ostelenka, Russia who lived in England and Canada. Also OKONOWSKI, the same countries as above. left. I wanted to see what wacl there, but I also originally prompted to investigate Polish ceme- They were sons of Jacob MEST and second wife, Shima. wanted to see what wacln't there. teries when I read an item in TnaveLa'n Guide Would like to hear from anyone named MEST. 79-98 Ellen SHEPARD, 249 Summit Dr., Cranston, RI 02920 --- Seeking family of Avram Yitzchok LERMAN and Malka Regarding the issue of not "setting foot" in to 3Jeutinh Landmahb 06 Euhope by Bernard Postal 79-87 C. E. MOSIER, 8998 Alpine Ave., La Mesa, CA 92041 Leah LIPCHUK, born Lubushov/Pinsk 1850?'s. Malka Leah those awful countries, I didn't see it that way. and Samuel H. Abramson (Fleet Press, New York, --- Seeking ancestors of Charles MOSER, born Frauenberg, died young. Two known children: Mayer and Pesha. For two reasons at least. First, I had made what 1971). The book indicated that there was a Jew- France. Arrived America 1823. Settled in Juniata, PA. were perhaps my most significant genealogical ish cemetery standing in Przemysl, Poland, city Also information regarding brother, a prominent Jewish 79-99 Ellen SHEPARD, 249 Summit Dr., Cranston, RI 02920 discoveries in those countries already: I had of my great-grandfather's birth. rabbi. ---Seeking GINSBURGs (originally Minsk). Two known bro- thers, Menachem and Meilach. Believe Menachem taught found relatives of mine--survivors of the Holo- continuen on page 1 0 79-88 Dan NEMZER, 1128 Shady Hill Dr., Columbus, OH school Lubushov/Pinsk. Meilach 2nd husband of Pesha 43221 --- Seeking information on Rabbi Mordechai NEMZER LERMAN LIPCHUK (Lubushov). Meilach, Pesha, daughter t 7 (1833-1912) of Vilna. Also Rabbi Joseph NISSENSON, Malka immigrated: Chicago, 1907. Malka married Israel Louis TABLINSKY, and Raphael BARTOW, all born in Vilna NOVITZ: Chicago, 1915?. around 1850. Descendants came to New York about 1910. TWO JEWISH GEMEALOGT CAL JOURNEYS 79-100 Bert SPISZMAN, 5921 Simpson Ave., North Holly- 79-89 Dan NEMZER, 1128 Shady Hill Dr., Columbus, OH wood, CA 91607 --- Searching for information SZPAJZMAN . 43221 --- Seeking information on Yossel PRESS and Shlomo family. Any spellings or derivations. Earliest records PLOTKA, born in Kolodno or Vishnevitz, near Kremenitz, show Yossel SZPAJZMAN, son of Ytzik, 43, in Josefow nad in the Ukraine, about 1850. Descendants came to New Wistula, Lublin, Poland, in 1841. A VISIT TO CALICIA AND ROMANIA: York about 1910. Also seeking any information on the Jewish farming colony that was in Bay Minette, Alabama, 79-101 Phoebe RITT STEVENS, 77-23 RFD #1, Ijamsville, in 1913-1915. MD 21754 --- Searching for RITT, SCHIFF, LEVIlT (LEVY), FAMILY RESEARCH AT THE SOURCE YOSELOF from Panevezys, Lithuania; also MOSSOVITZ 79-90 Dan NEMZER, 1128 Shady Hill Dr., Columbus, OH (OFECHEWITZ, MOFSOVITZ), LOWENSOHN from Riga; also GOLD- Arye Barkai 43221 --- Seeking information on David ISERUK (or MAN from Przasnysz, near Warsaw (settled Baltimore). ISRAELHOOK), who was born in Bielsk or Orle (near Bialy- I questioned my oldest relatives, visited only ninety years ago teemed with Jewish life, stok) in Poland, about 1845. His sons Nissel and 79-102 David Samuel WEINRIEB, 5500 Morro Way #82, La nearby cemeteries, and examined local records, now would be devoid of anything Jewish. Yet I Julius DAVIDSON came to Georgia about 1910. Mesa, CA 92041 --- Seeking any possible information census material, and the Mormon microfilms. Now imagined that I would make some worthwhile dis- (names, places, dates, etc.): Hyman WEINRIEB from Lodz, Poland; Albert LUBARTOWSKY (LEE) from Warsaw, Poland; there was one thing left to do in compiling my coveries about my family while visiting Eastern 79-91 Dan NEMZER, 1128 Shady Hill Dr., Columbus, OH Europe. 43221 --- Seeking information on Tzvi Hirsh (Abraham) Sarah, Aaron, Mary LAUTMAN from Minsk, Russia; Blanche, family history: visit the "old country" where my FIXEL, born in Bialystok, Poland about 1865. His de- Samuel SOLARSH (SOLARZ) from Sedlitz, Poland. grandparents and great-grandparents were born. Although one grandmother came from Latvia, scendants spell the name FIXEL in Georgia, and FIXELLE There were three things I hoped to accomplish on I chose not to visit the USSR, as a visa to the (or COHEN) in New York. Also Rabbi Mordechai KATCHAL- -- the trip: see if the archives in my ancestorsr Soviet Union requires a day-by-day itinerary tc SKI, born in Bialystok about 1833. The Fall 1979 issue of TOLEDOT will in- towns would have additional genealogical informa- which I did not want to be tied. Also the Soviet clude an index to 'The Jewish Family Finder" tion; visit the cemeteries in the towns where my Intourist could give me no definite assurances 79-92 Dan NEMZER, 1128 Shady Hill Dr., Columbus, OH announcements which appear in the Winter 1978- 43221 --- Seeking information on Hirsh Michael ABROM- ancestors lived; and see whatever local color and that I would be allowed to visit my grandmother's OWITZ and Hayim Isaac BRAUER, born in Latvia about 1870. 79 through Summer 1979 issues. nostalgia still survived, so I might better under- town. Their descendants came to Dayton, Ohio about 1910. The Fall 1978 issue contains an index to stand the world of my grandparents. the 99 announcements which appear in the Win- I planned my trip for two years, examining CEMETERI ES 79-93 Dan NEMZER, 1128 Shady Hill Dr., Columbus, OH ter 1977-78 through Fall 1978 issues. maps for the locations of the hkt&ech and towns KRAKOW: Here is one of the best-preserved in 43221 --- Seeking information on Rabbi Pinchas SHAMIR- In addition to surnames, these indexes mentioned by my relatives. I read Yizkor books Poland as there is still a Jewish community of SKY, born in Radomyshl, Ukraine about 1855. Also Jacob include every place name which appears in an DUBINSKY, born in Ivankov, Ukraine about 1850. I have about these localities and questioned natives, 300 people to maintain it. Many tombstones, up- information'to share with descendants of the people announcement. both Jews and non-Jews, who were born there. rooted by the Nazis, have been cemented into the named above. I prepared myself for disappointments: of cemetery walls. The Kekieea (Jewish community) finding that the cemeteries where my forebears has a book listing those buried in the cemetery were buried were destroyed; that records were no with their plot numbers. It is a translation longer in existence; and that the towns, which continua an page 13 continued dhom .top 06 page 9 someone whom they knew could also speak my lang- grandfather or great-grandmother lies. Every whose grave I found. It was a special moment for I was shocked. Could it be possible that uage. I was never in a town where someone did illegible grave became mine. Isn't it so? both of us as we stood before the very link be- Jewish cemeteries still exist in Poland!? Weren't not speak English! Never. Sometimes the English tween us. they all destroyed? Weren't they ruined by war, was poor (never as poor as my Polish, of course!), The graveyards in Hungary look the same as One more thing must be said about the disco- by vandals, by time? Wouldn't I find corn fields but there was always some young ambitious person those in Poland, yet perhaps a bit finer in con- very of the grave: it contained the name of my where tombstones once stood? I read the item in who was eager to learn and who studied English dition since 80,000 Jews live in Hungary today. great-great-grandmother's father. I suddenly was the T~uv&~~'AGuide with disbelief and excite- alone or in school. Whereas in Poland I saw Jewish cemeteries which back one more generation! ment. What a thrill, what a moving moment it When the person who spoke English arrived just had four or five stones left (the others would be to stand before the grave of an ancestor (or when I went searching for him or her), I were worn away, or carried away, or blown away A CEMETERY 1N THE SOVIET UNION of mine who had always been a name and a dream. asked three questions: "Are there any Jews here? by war and weather), the Hungarian Jewish ceme- After visiting Galicia with my rented car To read the letters of a tombstone bearing the Are there any Jewish cemeteries here? Where are teries were in better condition. Still crammed from Warsaw, I traveled east to the Soviet Union. name of my family would reach into the center of the buildings which were once synagogues?" between corn fields and sunflower fields, still I drove to the Russian-Polish border and then in- my passion for family history and connectedness And usually, to my first question came the overgrown with vegetation, they stood, again, to the Ukraine. Of course I had arranged for my to my Jewish past. same answer: "Yes, there is a Jew heret1 -- or -- waiting. visas back in New York, so I had no problem enter- After renting a car in Warsaw, I drove south- "Yes, a Jewish family lives nearby." The region I explored in Hungary was the ing Russia when I got to the border. I drove--by east, to Galicia. My father's family called Gali- My next step then was to make contact with northeast, a formerly Chassidic region to a large myself--toLvov, whichLvov. was once called Lemberg, was the cia "home" for many generations, and I dreamed the Jew or few Jews who still remained in these degree. Because of this I found the graves of about the area hundreds of times. Finally I was towns. Often I am asked, "Why do they stay?" It many well known Chassidic rabbis. These graves eastern capital of Galicia at one time, and was a going to see it with my own eyes. I was stunned is a complex question without a simple answer. are rather special in their look. They are usu- well known, richly populated Jewish city. Before to discover that it looked almost the same as in Every case is different, every case equally com- ally massive stones engraved with long descrip- the Holocaust it was part of Poland. Lvov is a the thousands of photographs which I have seen pelling. Again, I cannot, in this space, explore tions of the hebbe and his works and deeds, and beautiful city, very similar to Krakow, which was then the stone is covered by a little hut, with a the western capital of Galicia in the past. over the years. Horse and wagons, thatched roofs, all of what I discovered in the towns which I , peasants in the fields, wooden buildings, quaint visited. Suffice it to say that my experiences door; to protect it from the outside. Lvov's architecture is fascinating, and the area surrounding the city is lovely. I spent three villages. I stood in the marketplace of one were deeply moving and always fruitful. But now, I spent hours in Hungarian Jewish cemeteries, famous Galician town remembering that I had seen off to the cemetery .... in towns where my family has come from as well as days in Lvov. this very view in a well-known photo taken 70 The greatest problem with cemeteries in Po- in the ancestral towns of a female student of At one point I requested of my Intourist years ago. Again, nothing had changed. land is nox vandalism. It is neglect. There are mine. I found graves of many people in her family guide that we see the Jewish cemetery. "There & No;tking-- except thaZ Rhene wene no JWA. hardly any Jews there to maintain these places. and took photos of the stones. These images be- a Jewish cemetery here in Lvov, isn't there?", I No Jews in Galicia. Of course, there atre The underbrush has grown into forests sometimes. came the greatest gifts I could have given her. asked the young woman assigned to me during my Jews. A few here and a few there. And to say The weeds have enveloped the graves. The weather One day I spent a few hours in the Jewish cemetery stay in Lvov by Intourist, the official travel that there are no Jews is to ignore one of the has worn down the words on the stone slabs or has in Mateszalka, where a branch of my family lived bureau of the Soviet Union. loneliest Jewish communities in the world. We toppled them over, never to be raised again. Yet for many years. The cemetery was shown to me by she said. "1 took another man there are active in support of Soviet Jewry, we are hundreds of Jewish cemeteries remain in Poland, a local Jewish family who seemed vaguely to even a few years ago. " aware of other Jewish populations throughout the standing crooked yet defiantly. remember my own ancestors. The town was not that We got into the car (complete with official world, but we hardly remember that there are I was always at home at the Polish-Jewish big, but my family's name was somewhat common. I Intourist driver) which was also assigned to me. still nearly 6,000 Jews in Poland today. Most cemeteries. I returned to them over and over. spent hours, walking through the rows of graves, My own rented car was parked in a lot for the are in Warsaw, but many are scattered in the The Hebrew writing on the stones which remained looking for a familiar name, any familiar name. time I stayed in Lvov. We drove to a place well little villages, towns, and skte&ch which our stood out bravely, and gave me comfort. While But I continued to find nothing. Many names, many outside the city and the young woman and I got families knew long ago--and not so long ago. there are hardly any Jews left in Poland, and beautiful stones, many memories which brought me out of the car. We began to walk to the place My arrivals in these small towns were always even less a trace that millions of Jews once lived to tears a few times. But I couldn't find a trace where she remembered the Jewish cemetery being. the same. I drove into a town, stopped my car, there, here are the stones, standing as markers of of my family. I was excited, not because I had any direct rela- and already a little crowd would begin to gather. history, waiting to be read. In an egocentric way I couldn't leave this cemetery. I wanted to tives buried there, but because Lvov was such an The townspeople usually didn't have cars, and I often had the feeling that these graves were stay there a bit longer each hour, just wandering important Jewish city, and there I was in the even so, they knew which cars were familiar to standing for me. through the brush, bending back branches from the Soviet Union, about to be brought to something them and which were strange. My looks were also Yet, weren't they? Don't we mark the places trees which were slowly consuming the holy space. J&h. Suddenly my guide was confused. She was un- strange: I have a full, long, black beard, a tri- where our families are buried so that people will I had a super 8mm camera with me, so I decided to bute and memorial to my great-grandfather which I pass by, read the stones, and reflect on the take some footage of the cemetery, to show my able to locate the Jewish cemetery, but continued carry with me at all times. The Polish peasants lives of those people? The graves of Jews in Po- family back home exactly what "our" cemetery to insist that it was somewhere in the general and townspeople never see such a Jew anymore. I land are still standing so often, waiting to at- looked like. After shooting a little film, I had area. Yet there was no Jewish cemetery to be startle them. I shock them. tract the attention of some Jew--like me--who an idea: I was with my second cousin, a 25 year found where we were standing. I noticed a couple I was never really afraid in Poland when I passes by. old woman from Budapest. I showed her how to use of workers a few hundred yards from us, so we drove, usually alone, into one of these small The graves cry: Remember me. the camera and asked her to take my picture on walked to them after I suggested that maybe they towns. I felt protected in some way: protected the moving film, as I wandered through the grave- could help me. by what violence had gone on before, and protected In Poland I found no graves for people in my yard. Obviously the guide who was assigned to me by my good will which I brought with me. Looking family. I visited many cemeteries in the towns And then it happened: No sooner did she begin was not in the habit of taking Jews around Lvov. back, I know that I am naive about this--but I where my family lived, and took hundreds of photos to take a picture of my image as I walked among It is not a big tourist center, though it & on also know that I never had a single bad experience of the stones. During the past few years people the graves than I found myself standing before the approved list of towns which a tourist may with anyone in Eastern Europe. from the same towns as my family have contacted the clearly marked burial place of my great-great- visit. This brings up an interesting and import- After a few people began to approach me, I me, and I have often been able to give them photos grandmother. There was her gravestone right in ant point: In any of the Eastern European coun- tried to make it clear that I was an American (I of the graves of Xh& family members. But I front of me, and there was my second cousin taking tries, you are allowed to go to any town. But speak no European languages). Again, it was al- found nothing for my own personal family. Yet I film of me at the very moment of this discovery! not so for the Soviet Union. If a town is not on ways the same. After getting my message across often stopped by a gravestone which was worn by It is now all on film: the special moment when I their official list, you are unable to go without that I spoke English, the people would send for time, and thought: Maybe this is where my great- found my ancestor's grave. I might add that I am getting special permission once you atre in .the related to this cousin of mine through the woman SovieL Union. You cannot make those special ar- TO1EQOTISUMMER i 9 7 9 rangements outside the Soviet Union. formerly Lemberg, where over 100,000 Jews lived continued &om boaom 06 page 9 The cemeteries of Romania are very well-pre- The few men who were working in the distance before 1939. There is no more Jewish cemetery in into Polish of a Hebrew book miraculously found served, although it is hard to find the grave of were standing next to a large pile of stones the Lvov from before the Holocaust. A post-Holocaust hidden in a chimney after the war. a particular person. The Jewish communities of size of golf balls. They were crushing the stones Jewish cemetery is maintained adjacent to the TARNOW: Most of the tombstones are hopeless- Romania do not always have a well-organized sys- and making bricks out of them. My guide asked site where the old cemetery stood. But the old ly buried under thick vegetation which often give tem of recording burial sites. It should be them--in Russian--where the old Jewish cemetery cemetery, which once reflected the way generations skin rashes to anyone trying to brush the plants noted that a relatively small Jewish community was. I did not need to know the Russian language of Jews lived and died in Lemberg, no longer away from the stones. Some of the engravings on may have a very large burial ground. Some Jewish to understand what their answer was: There is no exists. the stones are brittle and flaking off. It would communities charge admission to their cemeteries. old Jewish cemetery any more. We were standing require a Jewish "Peace Corps" to restore this While this may appear to be in bad taste, we on the spot where it once was. They were making Is a trip to Eastern Europe worth the effort? cemetery so that those who rest here will not be should again compare the excellent condition of bricks out of the crushed gravestones from that This is a personal question for each of us to an- forgotten. Jewish cemeteries in Romania with those in Poland. Jewish cemetery. swer. And though there is a lot more I can share SOKOLOW MALAPOLSKY: For some reason the It is advisable to have a good reading know- I was witness to it. These three workers on the subject, I can easily state that my own two cemetery of my maternal grandfather's town, lo- ledge of Hebrew before one ventures into an East- were on official business: Destroy the Jewish trips to those places my family called "home" for cated twenty-four kilometers from Rzeszow, is ern European cemetery. Most of the older inscrip- gravestones and make bricks. generations were among the most profoundly reward- still in good condition. The grounds are fenced tions are in Hebrew with few Latin characters. I got there just in time to see them in the ing experiences of my life. off and there is no overgrowth of vegetation. Also the names of the deceased, in a Hebrew in- act. Or rather, I got there a little late. On As for the question: What of the Jewish ceme- The stones, however, are toppling over and I scription, do not often stand out against the the very day I stood there, there was not a single teries there? I can only repeat myself and say could not find the graves of two of my great- rest of the epitaph. Jewish gravestone left. that I went to see what wacl there and what Wah not grandparents buried there. While on the subject of language, a good I do not know if this is the case throughout there. RZESZOW: The cemetery in my grandmother's knowledge of Polish or the aid of a Polish-speak- the Soviet Union. But it W&!I the case in Lvov, And I found both. town is now a field strewn with haystacks. ing friend is of immeasurable help, as few people Children play in them, oblivious to the few stones in Galicia speak English. Polish shares few cog- left lying in the field with barely legible in- nates with English and I found it difficult to scriptions. pronounce the language. As Romanian is a Romance GLOGAU and PRUCHNIK: Here is the next stage, language, it is relatively easier to pick up after Rzeszow, in the disintegration of a Jewish words that are cognates of English, French, etc. cemetery. After the last stone disappears, to be Also many people in towns throughout Romania either used in a building or reused for a non- speak a clear, easily understood French. Jewish monument, the area is planted with grass and rededicated as a park. Only the oldest in- ARCH 1VES habitants of the town know that here was once a About one year before my trip to Eastern Jewish cemetery. Europe, I requested my great-great-grandfather, WARSAW: This large cemetery, not far from Sheah Ringelheimfs, death certificate from the the site of the ghetto uprising, has many clearly Uhzad S;tanu Cycuienego or City Hall, of Rzeszow. readable monuments. Some are symbolic graves of Several of my relatives told me that this great- victims of the Holocaust whose actual remains lie great-grandfather died about 1898. Six months unmarked in the earth near the crematoria of con- after I had written my request, I received a re- centration camps. A large part of the Warsaw ply in Polish to the effect that there was no cemetery is, through lack of maintenance funds, significant information about my ancestor as the turning into a forest. records were destroyed during the war. AUSCHWITZ: I must include this infamous con- When I reached Rzeszow, my Polish Jewish centration camp, as more Jews are interred here friend who accompanied me to Galicia advised the than in any cemetery in the world. Whether or clerk of the City Hall that I was an American not one may understand the world of his grand- whose grandmother had come from Krasne, a A&& parents by visiting Poland, a visit to Auschwitz near Rzeszow. The clerk understood my desire to can help one to comprehend the meaning of "Holo- explore my family tree, as the film "Roots" had caust." Other than the symbolic grave to those just been broadcast on Polish television. Know- Jews who perished here - a shattered stone with ing that my family was Jewish, she climbed a a Mogen Pavid carved on it - there is little Jew- ladder to a high closet shelf to reach the Jewish ish content at the site of this graveyard of record books. As I assumed that Sheah Ringel-

I Eastern European Jewry. heimfs death certificate did not exist, I request- ed information on another great-great-grandfather who died before 1907. I thumbed through the pages of cursive Polish Atye Bankdi A a cawonkeh dotr the Nw Yohh City handwriting. (I was-used to the script as I had Pept. 06 Sociae Se~vicawho, dapae a 9-;to-5 seen the Mormon microfilms of Polish records. If THE JEWlSH CEMETERY OF LVOV (LEMBERG). The denced uheu in the high;t job, ha6 managed a3 make the kime :to :trtace kib only the Mormons or a Jewish group had microfilmed bide od the phoko A the cwrtrent poht-HoRocuubt Jedh cemeXeny. The damLl3.j ;ttree on kin ha. He A apeWy these records so they could be available to any- pile. ud ntonu and nubble in .the ledt hdd 06 .the. photo A in khd intmated in kin Ring&h& ~otrebw,a evmy- one!) I noted the names of siblings-in-law of my tremcLinh ad the pne-HoRocuubk Jwdh cemekehy. Photo by Ahthun Kunzwd. one uLth that nuttname A &dated. He O now great-grandparents. Suddenly I spotted the name planning a ;Dtip to Latvia, whe~ehe hope~;ta dind Ringelheim: Osias Ringelheim of Krasne died on indomation on kin patand gnandmothen'n ,$amieg. 21 January 1902 at the age of 96. I knew this Addttan: 1777 Gnand Concome, #1 IN, Bhonx, NY was my other great-great-grandfather, Sheah Ring- 10453. elheim. I realized that accepting information TOLEPOTISUMMER 1979 TO LEVOTISUMMER - 1 979 ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE IS NOW: TEACHING GENEALOGY

Alan A. Kay

It was early July. There was a rustling in Genealogy in a summer camp? Why not? I found the the ground leaves outside the bunk, alerting me interest among the campers high, the budget needs to the door. Suddenly, a small, rust-colored, quite low, and the results gratifying. fuzzy head popped up. Two black eyes, marble- There are many reasons for Jews to engage in like, peered into the room; the head twitched, genealogical research: one is obligation, a second then the chipmunk darted across the floor and is curiosity. These campers came to this work- kye Bakai in ;the Je&h under my desk, stopping motionless as if caught shop, so they told me, because they were curious. cem&;tetry in Tmnuw, Pulund. in a camera's lens. Several had begun their own tracings as part of a Phutu bg Qn. Ryn zmd Lwkodcz. I looked through the screen to my right; the school project; most had done nothing in this sun's rays filtered through the leaves on the area. trees to bathe the forest floor in a bright yel- I had been given the names of the campers low light. Blackbirds slapped leaves in flight who had signed up for the workshop earlier. I and sparrows twitted as they skipped on a stream rewrote each name on a separate piece of paper, of stones and pebbles alongside the gravel-packed selected several at random and placed them between road which had brought me to this wooden, one- pages of the book on my desk. The other slips I room bunk, held in my hand. I introduced myself and then from Polish city halls by correspondence, or not- my great-grandparents lived. I stared at the still chipmunk and wondered said, "I have each of your names written on a ing death dates supplied by relatives, are both The Jewish Kekieea officials of Romanian what his roots were. Soon, there would be sounds piece of paper. I'm going to give you your names. untrustworthy methods of research. towns had little information in their possession. of shuffling shoes and voices and the chipmunk Hold them carefully. We'll use them later." Next to my great-great-grandfather's name Because of the tzed~ka(charity) I contributed would fly out of the room and I would never get I distributed all but the name slips in my was an entry that appeared to be "Ben Z--." I to the community, they felt obligated to try to to ask him about kin family tree. The sparrows book. To those campers I said, "I'm sorry, I thought this would indicate "son of -," but my find the non-existent information. In dealing were a fury of activity now and I turned the pages don't have names for you. I must have misplaced friend told me it was "Bezzojscie" - "without with Romanian Jews from small towns, a knowledge of the book on the desk in front of me, not read- them. I'll look for them later." Two of those work. " of Yiddish or Romanian helps more than does ing but musing about the irony of my situation: campers shrugged their shoulders, another snick- At the town of Pruchnik, near Jaroslaw, the French. this was summer camp; the voices I would soon be ered, one pouted, another shifted uncomfortably in town clerk told me that he was a temporary re- In general I found that officials in both hearing would be those of campers, in the country her seat. Those to whom I had given name slips, placement and therefore not familiar with the re- Poland and Romania were cooperative and sympathe- for two months, exchanging city streets and sub- sat quietly, firmly clasping them in their hands. cords. He promised to have the information I re- tic. The fact that I was Jewish and interested urban lawns for gravel-packed roads and glittering I had begun to impress upon them the importance quested mailed to me. As I was leaving, he in Jewish records made no difference. The re- lakes, leaving teachers and history and English of names. called out that his colleague would be able to cords of our Eastern European ancestors still for counselors and tennis and swimming. And me? From a brown envelope I pulled out a copy of find the information. The colleague found the exist, waiting to be researched. I, too, had left the city behind and my associate a book that had been loaned to me by friends, The volume of Jewish death records for 1910, the year professorship in English at New York City Commu- Tenza famiey Thee compiled and edited by Stanley I needed. I saw the exact death date of Sheah's As for absorbing whatever nostalgia of my nity College for the country life. I. Batkin (1977), a privately published work. (Osias) brother, but here too the decedent's fa- grandparents' day may be available, there are But, there I was, sitting behind a desk, with The campers crowded around the desk. "How far ther was not listed. I suppose I will never know still horse-drawn carts plying the roads of Gali- a briefcase at my side and a book and assorted back did he go?'' one camper asked. I turned to cia and Romania. People still have animal-drawn my triple great-grandfather's name. papers in front of me, waiting for (?) my stu- that page. "1690." "Wow! 'I was all they said. I At Krakow I had no exact date on the rela- plows. The larger cities, such as Rzeszow, may dents! And they were coming! The chipmunk peeked had aroused their curiosity. tive in whom I was interested. As the archive be rebuilt with ugly modern flats, the new roads in again. I heard the campers' voices and the I talked about Batkin's tracings and told room could not help me without a date, I had to may have two lanes, but the smaller towns still chipmunk fled as if sprung from a bow. My work- them that they, too, could trace back that far. go to the Police Headquarters and write a letter contain older quaint houses. Automobiles cannot shop in genealogy was about to begin. But, I stressed, how far one is able to trace is (in Polish, of course) with the information I travel on some of the roads leading to the Sixty-one-year-old Ce jwin Camps, the premier not the sole aim of the genealogist. The geneal- requested. I was required to affix a twenty- smaller communities. experience in Jewish educational camping, is ac- ogist seeks to know not only who lived, but also zloty stamp on my letter, and the clerk promised Visiting the synagogues where my ancestors tually three camps, spread over 300-plus acres how people lived. That comment brought me to Dan worshipped was also an exhilarating experience. that the requested information would be forwarded just outside of Port Jervis, New York. Howard Rottenberg's finding Ow Fath~: A GlLidebook ;to to the Polish Consulate in New York, where I The synagogue of Lancut, now part of the Potocki Wasserman, in his first summer as director, was JhhGenealogy (1977). could retrieve it within two or three months. Estate exhibit, has beautiful wall decorations. willing to offer a workshop in genealogy as part I asked one camper his last name and I looked In Romania I had the pleasure of meeting, of the camps' cultural program, two hours each to find it in the Rottenberg book. As I turned In Vaslui, Romania, I was on my own. I had for the first time, my father's first cousins: week for each four-week season (July and August). the pages, I came across the name slips I had two sisters who gave me a photograph of my great- no English-speaking friend to interpret for me "mispliced. 'I I gathered them "I found and I had to rely on what French or Romanian I grandfather (their grandfather). This was the your names." I looked quickly around the room at kean A. Kay hold a doctatrate in Englhh Educa- had at my command. The officials looked up my first time I had seen his likeness. I now have the faces of those campers whose name slips I Romanian great-grandfather's death record and I pictures of six of my eight great-grandparents. ;tion &om Nw Yonk UnivmiAy and teachu ak Nw Yonk Ci;ty CommdXy College (Bhookeyn) Wy held. I sensed a general sigh of relief among found he had died in 1914. The record gave me For me, a trip to the "old country" was an , them. the name of his parents (two nw ancestors), his immensely worthwhile project. It helped me to UnivmLty od Nw Yotrk. He began kin own genea- I discussed the importance of names and in- understand the environment of my ancestors and logLcai? hueahch onty one yem ago, but iA hcrn age at the time of his death, and the town where troduced the Yad Vashem project to them, distrib- it helped to extend my family tree. become an integtrae p& od hh .tide. he was born - Tirgu Nean~. This was a surprise uting to each a blank Page of Testimony. I did to me, as I thought I knew all the places where Addttan: 777 Oak PR., East Meadow, NY 7 7554. this not because I wanted to stress Holocaust born into that family." Within one week, most of genealogical research, but because the Yad Vashem the campers had received responses from their A CHANGE Of NAME project is the clearest and most outstanding ex- families. ample of contemporary concern with the importance Another project we did, after our library Occasionally the genealogical researcher has tor of Optics from Philadelphia Optical College of naines and the Jew's obligation to remember visits, was taping interviews with camp staff, the good fortune to stumble across a legal docu- in July 1912, and is an Optician. them. many of whom had spent more than twenty summers ment that provides an unusual amount of family SEVENTH: That there is no suit against your Suddenly, I asked the campers to take their at Cejwin. The group discussed the problems and history, Such a document is transcribed below, petitioner and that your petitioner has no judg- name slips and tear them in half. Most did. advantages of engaging in an oral history project, as an example of the unexpected "goldmineit that ments against himself in the Courts of the State Those who didn't refused because they tied their prepared questions, learned how to use a tape awaits the diligent searcher. of New York, or of the United States; that there names to who they were, to their personhood. recorder, and did the tapings. This document was located among the records is no negotiable instrument outstanding against Those who did generally agreed that the name slip At our final workshop session, I introduced of the Clerk of New York County (New York City). your petitioner, signed, endorsed or accepted by was only a symbol, as each name is, and symbols the group to TOLEDOT, as the journal of Jew- It is a petition to the Court to allow an indi- him; that he does not seek the granting of this were not th.e ttkingb themselves. I agreed, but I ish genealogy and suggested that they inquire at vidual to legally change his name. Keep in mind, application to avoid creditors. That he has no offered that we were not acting as semanticists, their temples or schools for copies of Keeping however, that most name changes by recent immi- debts or 1 iabilities whatsoever. but as genealogists. And for genealogists, the Ponted (September, 1977) and Wodd Ova (April 6, grants did not follow this particular legal EIGHTH: My father's name was HYMAN JOSEPH, name is more than the symbol, maybe it is all we 1979) and begin to compile their own bibliography route. and he died in 1900 in Russia. My mother's name have of that person if memories of that person of Jewish genealogical sources. A lot of immigrants had their new names le- was CELIA JOSEPH, and having re-married, her name are cloudy or gone, or if there are none at all I distributed to each camper a ditto sheet gally recorded at the time they became American is now CELIA RUBINSON, and she resides in the and if pictures and other materials related to with a list of addresses to which they could mail citizens, but the naturalization records do not Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York. that person are not available. We talked about for further information as they continued their usually indicate the person's former name. Many NINTH: That your petitioner knows of no rea- the importance of names again. This time, each personal research, and I discussed what materials name changes were done informally, as a matter sonable objection why he should not be allowed camper identified his/her full name and Hebrew they would receive from places such as the Nation- of convenience and often as a result of the to assume the name of JOSEPH I. PASCAL, as name and their origins, as best as they were able. al Archives and the Immigration and Naturalization children in the family taking easier-to-pronounce aforesaid. We returned to Rottenberg's book. The second Service. names in public school. WHEREFORE, your petitioner prays for an order half of the book, although not exhaustive, con- Such a genealogy workshop is relatively in- Don't we all have interesting stories to of this Court, in compliance with the provisions tains a generous list of surnames, each with some expensive and creates much excitement. Every tell about how our families' names changed? of the Law, permitting your petitioner and au- explanatory note and identification of additional school or temple library should own a copy of thorizing him to assume the name of JOSEPH I. source material. Everyone wanted to look up his/ finding OWL fa;th~and at least one complete set Supreme Court - New York County PASCAL, in place of and instead of PASCAL I. her family names. There was no doubt about their of a Jewish encyclopedia, should be a subscriber In the matter of the application of JOSEPH. That no previous application for the curiosity and excitement. Those who could not to TOLEPOT, Keeping Ponted, and Wohed Ova, and PASCAL I.JOSEPH, for leave to change his name annexed order has been made, except that on Feb- locate their names were disappointed. All, how- should own a tape recorder, and, of course, some and assume the name of JOSEPH I. PASCAL ruary 3rd 1914, Mr. JUSTICE GIEGERICH refused to ever, were interested enough in nameb to desire type of photocopying machine. For my campers, sign such order, on the ground that the petition to visit the camp library and continue their their expense was a 154 stamp, or two, and a The petition of PASCAL I.JOSEPH, respectfully shall state the name of the petitioner's parents. search for names and places in one or in all of cassette tape. shows to the Honorable Court as follows: the three encyclopedias in the camp library: Again, the summer workshops which I con- FIRST: That your petitioner resides in the Dated, New York, February 5th 1914. Enc yclopaedia Judaica, JeLuis h Encyclopedia, and ducted ran for one month each (one in July, one Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of Univ~~~al!3Uh Encyclopedia. That visit came in August) for two hours each week, with campers New York. [signed] Pabcd lnving Jod eph the following week. in school grades 7 through 10. Certainly there SECOND: That your petitioner is desirous of Petitioner Before the first session ended, I distrib- was sufficient, meaningful, and inexpensive changing his present name of PASCAL I. JOSEPH to uted a ditto sheet, which campers would send home activity to fully engage the campers during each JOSEPH I.PASCAL, and begs leave of this Honor- For the use of this document, the editors to their mothers and fathers and which required workshop session. able Court therefor. of TOLEDOT thank Nicholas A. Read (8 Marshall information such as each parent's birthplace and A mini-course in genealogy could be offered THIRD: That the grounds of the application Ave., Akron, NY 14001), whose grandfather, Joseph date of birth, th&i parents ' places and dates of in a Saturday or Sunday school program or in a are as follows: I. Pascal, M.D., had the wisdom to change his birth, and th& grandparents1 places and dates day school. Of course, a full semester (half- (a) That many people are confused over the name in this illuminating manner. of birth. In my instructions, I tried to anti- year) program is also feasible, to include, in petitioner's last name JOSEPH and are under the

civate obvious auestions: "If both varents are addition to the activities alreadv mentioned.* imuression that the ~etitioner'sreal name is living in your iome, send both sheets in one en- visits to places of interest to tie Jewish JOSEPH I. PASCAL and' often address him verbally T velope. If they are living at different address- genealogist. or by mail as JOSEPH I. PASCAL, often causing LIBRARY OF CONGRESS READER ALERT es, send each in a separate envelope. If only Another time, another place is now: teaching mail addressed to petitioner, to be lost. A Third Building for the Library in 1980 one parent is living, send a sheet to a sister or how to do genealogical research is as much an (b) That when your petitioner registers prior During 1980, parts of the Library of Congress brother of the deceased parent. If you are obligation we owe to our students as doing our to Election Day, the Board of Elections register will be moving into its new James Madison Memo- adopted, remember that the family which adopted own genealogical research is an obligation we him as JOSEPH I. PASCAL and when the petitioner rial Building. This will cause disruption to you your family and you trace as if you were owe to ourselves. goes to cast his vote, he is registered under some of its services. Please write or call the the name of PASCAL and not JOSEPH, causing con- Library before coming in 1980 to do research a. ...a...ae.a.eaea..aa..a.a.a...aaaa.. fusion. that requires the use of legal materials, news- EUREKA!! FOURTH: That your petitioner is un-married papers, current periodicals, maps, manuscripts, • and was 'born in Russia, on March 28th 1888. a FIFTH: That your petitioner is a naturalized film, sound or video recordings, music, prints, a What was the most important, most exciting, most rewarding, citizen having received a Certificate of Natu- photographs, or the services of the Copyright or most inspiring event in your Jewish genealogical endeavors? ralization from the Supreme Court of the State Office. The Library will be pleased to inform you whether the service or collection you need • TOLEDOT would 1 ike to publish a not more than 50 word report • of New York, on November 20th 1911. will be available at the time you hope to visit. • from you - our readers - on your most memorable moment of Jewish a SIXTH: That your petitioner received the family history research. degree of Bachelor of Science from Columbia The hotline for up-to-date information: 202-287- Write to: TOLEDOT, 155 E. 93 St., Suite 3C, New York, NY 10028. College in February 1912, and the degree of Doc- MOVE. Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20549 TOLEDOTISUMMER '7 979 17 COUSINS ' CLUBS ' AND FAMIL Y CIRCLES

Arthur Kurzweil

Uishpabhe: A Study ad NW YO& C&j hkbh FamiRy ginated, to the kinds of records kept, to the Chb~.By William E. Mitchell. The Hague: Mouton feuds and issues dealt with in the family organi- Publishers, 1978. 262 p. $19.75. Distributed' zation. by Mouton, Walter de Gruyter, Inc., 200 Saw Mill Every page has observations and descriptions River Rd., Hawthorne, NY 10532. of value. Again I cannot separate myself from my

own personal involvement in family circles and ' This past November my family had a celebra- then be amazed by Mitchell's reporting. He seems tion. We observed the 40th anniversary of the to leave nothing unexplored: how to increase mem- Kurzweil Family Circle. Our family organization, bership; the problems of leadership; social dif- established four decades ago, has struggled in ferences among members; finances; family reunions; recent years to remain alive. There was a time, conflicts. years ago, when each monthly meeting would bring What is the connection between this book and dozens of family members from all over the New Jewish genealogy? The answer to that hardly needs York area. During the last few years, our meet- explanation. Family clubs have served as the ings are held only every few months, and we are cement for Jewish families in the U.S. for years. lucky if we get 25 people. They are usually the In many ways the whole phenomenon seems absurd: same 25. Yet we endure--and our anniversary why would fourth cousins want to know each other? celebration had four generations attending, with They often have so little in common; their worlds nearly 80 family members present. are so often far apart. Just because someone has Over the years, I have received two dis- the same set of great-great-great-grandparents as tinctly different responses when people have dis- I do doesn't mean that I have to join an organi- covered that there even a Kurzweil Family Cir- zation with them, does it? In the same way, who cle. Either people say, "A what? What is it cares about the genealogy of a family? What dif- for?" Or people say, "Yes, we have a family cir- ference does it make to plot out on a chart who cle (or cousins' club), too." Those who know is related to whom, once you get further than need no explanation. Those who do not know are first or second cousins? , usually never satisfied with my explanation. Yet we have the same situation again: the But now, in print, an explanation has ar- person who has been "bitten" by the genealogy , rived. William E. Mitchell, professor and chair- "bug" knows what the fascination - and importance man of anthropology at the University of Vermont, - of it all is. It cannot be explained logically; has written the first book on family circles and it needs to be experienced. One way to know some- cousins' clubs since a Work Projects Administra- thing is intellectually, another is experiential- tion (WPA) study was done in 1939. ly. Mitchell seems to bridge the gap here marvel- My own fascination with the book is recog- ously--and captures the experiences of New York nizing myself and my family in it. It is delight- Jewish family clubs. Often you feel you are at ful to see how other family clubs deal w.ith the the meetings and get-togethers which Mitchell same kinds of issues which my family has dealt describes. with for decades. William E. Mitchell's book is much more than

remote interest in the Jewish family will find Jewish experience itself, with all the struggles Mitchell's analysis intriguing and valuable. and joys. His historical sense is-superb, his What has motivated families to establish organi- feeling for the subject of Jews and families is zations? Why have they endured? What functions inspiring. You will understand the Jewish family have they served? What does it all mean in terms club when you read this-book, but you will under- of the importance of "familyu to Jews and Jewish stand yourself--as a modern Jew--just a bit more tradition? as well. Mitchell has done a great service to us Mitchell begins his book by establishing a by observing who we are and sharing it with us. context. He presents an informative overview of The book will be an inspiration to you as a Jew- the New York Jewish community. It is rare that ish genealogist and family historian. You will one can read such a concise, accurate historical learn about yourself, and how you fit-into Jewish picture of the most important Jewish community in history. Isn't this what genealogy and family the United States. He then discusses every pos- history are all about? sible aspect of family clubs, from how they ori-

TOLEPOTISUMMER 7 979