Ida Goldshmidt

Here I was photographed before my 29th birthday. This photo was taken in Riga in 1960. In 1957 fortune smiled at me. Uncle Boris' wife found a room in a shared apartment for me. There were no shared apartments in our country before the USSR. There were 8-10 square meter servants' rooms in all bigger rooms, and I was to get one such room. When I came to the executive office, where the housing commission was to decide whether I should have this room, I was so scared that I was shaking all over. However, they took a positive decision, and I lived in this room for 17 years. I became a good dressmaker and was offered a job in a shop. They offered a bigger salary and I accepted the offer. There were Jewish employees in the shop. They spoke Yiddish to one another. I had forgotten the language when in the children's home, but when I came to this environment, it took me no time to restore my language skills. My brother and I celebrated all Jewish holidays at my uncle Boris's place. He observed Jewish traditions and celebrated Jewish holidays. His wife was very religious. We went to the synagogue on all holidays. I got married in 1961. I met my future husband Samuel Goldshmidt at work. He was a tailor and worked in the shop. I made women's overcoats, and Samuel made men's wear. We had a traditional Jewish wedding. My husband and I grew up in respect of Jewish traditions, and followed them even during the Soviet regime.