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My grandfather on my mother's side Efim Khasidovich is on the left. His brother Kalman is beside him. The photo was taken in Fastov in 1912.
I believe my mother's father Efim Khasidovich was a handicraftsman. My grandfather and grandmother Zelda, born around 1885 had 3 children. We had a picture with my grandfather and his employer (a Bauer). My grandfather was working at a farm and people treated him well there. My grandparents were religious people and went to the synagogue every week. They followed kashruth and celebrated all Jewish holidays. My grandmother lit candles on Friday to meet the Sabbath. They were poor, but they had silver dishes for Pesach. It was kept on the attic for many years before WWII.
My grandfather was still recruited to the army when WWI began in 1914. He was captured by Germans. He returned from captivity in 1917 when the revolution began. In 1918 the gang of ataman Zelyoniy captured the town. They broke into Jewish houses, robbed, raped and killed people. They broke into my grandfather's house and demanded money "Give us the money, zhyda". My grandfather's family was poor and the bandits shot my grandfather in front of my grandmother and their 3 children. This happened on a big holiday - Purim.
I have no information about my grandfather's parents or relatives. The only thing I know is that he had a younger brother Kalman, but I never heard about him.
