Evgeni Chazov

I am photographed for a document in 2002.

Before 1967 I lived with my parents. In 1967 I met my future wife Ludmila Pristupa, Ukrainian, born in a village in Volyn. We got married in 1967. Shortly afterward my wife and I moved into the apartment that I received.  In 1973 our son -named Pyotr after my father- was born. We had a good family. In summer I had long vacations and we went hiking on the bank of a river where I installed a tent or to the south. Once I obtained a cheap trip to a recreation center. A full-price stay was expensive and I couldn't afford it. My salary was just enough to support our monthly living, but many Soviet people lived like that. We went to the cinema every week and attended first night performances in Ternopol Drama Theater. We went to pop concerts. We celebrated New Year, 7th November, 1st May at home with the family and relatives.  We had many friends; my wife's colleagues and my colleagues.  We liked spending time with them. 

Back in the 1970s I developed interest toward Israel. I believe all decent people supported Israel in its struggle during the Six-Day War and during other conflicts. Of course, I didn't share my thoughts with my father, but my Ukrainian wife always shared my opinions and we even considered moving to Israel.  Then I began to have heart problems and I could not survive the climate of Israel.  Now I am trying to make up for what I didn't have in my youth.  I am a member of the Jewish community of Ternopol. I try to celebrate Sabbath and we celebrate Jewish holidays in the community: Pesach, Rosh Hashanah and my wife is always with me. I fast on Judgment Day. [Yom Kippur] I study Yiddish and Jewish traditions in the community. I am interested in the history of Jewish people and Judaism. I think that it is the greatest, bit a single achievement of perestroika and independent Ukraine that various nations residing in Ukraine got an opportunity to develop. As for the rest of it perestroika it turned out to be a hardship for our family and for many others. I retired in 1986, but I give private lessons and prepare applicants to colleges. Our pensions are low and my wife and I have to work to make ends meet.  Our son Pyotr quit his college after two years of studies. He works for a commercial company now.  Pyotr lives with us. His marriage failed.  He supports us. Pyotr identifies himself as Ukrainian. Hesed, Jewish charity center delivers food packages and medications to us and we participate in its cultural program.