Matvey Loshak

This is me, Matvey Loshak, when I was about 10 years old. I am wearing a coat made from my mother's uniform. My mother, Sarah Raygorodetskaya, worked at the passport department in the city police department. I was born on June 14, 1937 in the town of Berdichev, Zhitomir region. My father, Govshia Loshak, finished only elementary school. He 'inherited' the profession of repairing sewing machines. My parents kept Jewish traditions and holidays, but they were not religious. Because of her official position, my mother was afraid to go to the synagogue. I remember well that after the war people were watched, and my mother was always afraid that somebody would learn that we celebrated Passover or other Jewish holidays at home.