Selected text
The Jews of Ushachi experienced difficulties under all political regimes. I remember Mum told me that during the Civil War [8], two strong Russians from the Red Army came to Uschachi. They demanded gold and threatened to shoot everyone if their demands were not fulfilled. Mum started crying and asking for mercy. But they ordered Mother and Father to go to the closet and shot at them through the door. Father and Mother lay on the floor and therefore remained safe. Those guys took a bag of grain and left. And the hole made by the bullet remained in the closet door forever as a reminder of a happy ending.
At the end of 1920s and beginning of 1930s, the GPU [10] often arrested Jews and demanded gold, too. One day my father was also taken away to the GPU office, which was situated in a small house. I stood near the window and watched them beating him. In the afternoon they arrested Mum, and placed her into prison. But by the evening father was released (he was black and blue, his ear was smashed), and two days later Mum was released, too.
In the middle of 1930s, authorities started their slow but sure attack against Jewish culture and religion.
At the end of 1920s and beginning of 1930s, the GPU [10] often arrested Jews and demanded gold, too. One day my father was also taken away to the GPU office, which was situated in a small house. I stood near the window and watched them beating him. In the afternoon they arrested Mum, and placed her into prison. But by the evening father was released (he was black and blue, his ear was smashed), and two days later Mum was released, too.
In the middle of 1930s, authorities started their slow but sure attack against Jewish culture and religion.
Period
Location
Ushachi
Vitebesk
Belarus
Interview
Boris Lerman