Natalia Zilberman’s uncle Joseph Gologorskiy

My mother's brother Joseph Gologorskiy. Photographer Gustav Shlaen (FISCHERN-N, Hotel Central, vis-a-vis der Apothere). Photo made in 1897 when Joseph went to the water resort of Karlsbad in the Dual Monarchy.

My mother Anna Milimevker -nee Gologorskaya - was born in Kamenets-Podolskiy, Russia, in 1880. In 1866 Joseph, my mother brother was born.

In the end of 19th century Kamenets-Podolskiy was one of the khasid centers. It was a bigger town for its time. There were big stores, churches, synagogues, a big theater and a market where on Sunday armers from the surrounding villages brought their products. Jews constituted almost half of the population of the town. They were involved in commerce and handicrafts. My mother's father Yankel Gologorskiy was born in Kamenets-Podolskiy in 1838. He was a merchant, but he died when he was young and the family became very poor. My grandmother Gitl Gologorskaya (nee Shor) was born in Berdichev in 1844. The Shors owned all leather industry in Ukraine. Berdichev was a big ag-ricultural trade center. Jews were also involved in handicrafts. My grandmother got married to Golo-gorskiy when she was 17. She had a 7 childrens.

He finished cheder and grammar school. He graduated from Medical faculty of Petersburg University and worked as a doctor in Tarascha. He was married and had two daughters: Milia and Lisa.
My grandmother Gitl observed all Jewish traditions. They spoke Yiddish in the family. My mother told me that grandmother went to synagogue with the children, lit candles and celebrated Shabbat with the children. My mother remembered the ritual of Barmitzva for Naum. All brothers but Aron finished cheder. Joseph was teaching Aron. Grandmother and older children fasted at Yom Kippur. I didn't ask my mother about any details. I grew up an atheist and wasn't interested in such description.

Only Clara and Naum of all mother's brothers and sisters survived the war. Joseph perished in Tarascha during the Holocaust. Lisa died in Ekaterinoslav in 1939.
My mother's family was very close. They always supported one another and older children took care of the younger ones. In that way they managed to get good education and professions.