I, Frida Palanker, student of the Kiev Conservatory.
Our daughter Lilia was born on 11 September 1949. Her Jewish name was Leya. After the theater was closed I couldn't find a job for some time. I decided to complete my music education. After my daughter was born I entered the Music College in Chernovtsy and got the diploma of violin player. In 1957 I became a violinist at Chernovtsy Ukrainian Drama Theater. I worked there for 41 years. I retired in 1998 working 20 more years after I reaching the retirement age.
In the recent ten years Jewish life in Chernovtsy has become very active. There are Jewish communities and we can read Jewish magazines and newspapers. Chesed and Jewish charity committee support us. They give us food and clothes and we have interesting activities there. We celebrate Jewish holidays and Sabbath in the community. We can attend interesting lectures and concerts. One a week I attend literature club, conducted by lecturer of Chernovtsy University. On Monday I attend our communication club. Quite a few people attend it. We have discussions and enjoy spending time together.
I do some work as well. We have a program on Chernovtsy radio "Das yiddishe Wort". I am an announcer in this program. It is of great use that I can read and write in Yiddish. We look for interesting materials about life stories of Jews. We receive letters from our listeners. It supports me to realize that people need me and wait to hear "Good afternoon, my dears. We begin our program".
