Grigoriy Stel'makh with his wife Lubov Stel'makh

I, Grigoriy Stel'makh, and my wife Lubov during a walk in the city photographed with the Arch f 'Friendship of people' in the background. This Arch was installed on the picturesque slopes of the Dnieper in the 1980s to symbolize eternal friendship of Russia and Ukraine. Kiev, 2002. In 1962 I went to work as a locksmith at the Kiev motorcycle plant. I understood that I had to work better than the rest of us to avoid any complaints about my performance. I worked there for some time and then I understood that I needed higher education. I entered the Mechanical Faculty of Agricultural Academy where I studied by correspondence. I worked at this plant all my life. I started as a locksmith and then I held many positions: controlling inspector, foreman of the Technical Control department, shop superintendent and was promoted to commercial deputy director. I was the only Jewish manager. In my young years I was an active participant of amateur performances. I met Lubov Turun from Moscow, who came here as a young specialist. When I saw the girl, I said to myself that this girl would become my wife. Lubov is Ukrainian. We got married in 1968. We had a wedding party in a big restaurant in Kiev. There ere about 100 guests. We lived with parents few years and then I received an apartment. Lubov and I have two daughters: Irina, born in 1970, and Yevgenia, born in 1977. I am a pensioner now. I have a lot of spare time. I read a lot and study the Jewish history and religion. However, I don't go to the synagogue. I don't think it is necessary to go somewhere to serve the God. God is inside us. I am grateful to independent Ukraine for giving an opportunity to many nations to develop, including Jews. I always think how my father and grandfather would be happy had they lived to this time and seen the wonderful synagogues, Hesed, wonderful holidays Purim and Chanukkah in the ‘Ukraina’ palace, the best in Ukraine, our community life and my participation in it.