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I went to school at the age of seven in Belovodsk. It was a standard Soviet school with all studies in Russian. I changed schools very often because we moved frequently. After Belovodsk I went to school in Slavyansk up to the seventh grade, later in Rogachyov for half a year, then again in Slavyansk until 1939 and finally in Shepetovka. My favorite subjects at school were Chemistry and Literature. I was very often the favorite pupil among the teachers.
Only once I met a teacher with whom I could not have good relations. It was our teacher of Geography and our class teacher. Maybe she couldn’t cope with the fact that I was a Jewess. She liked to make the following inquiry, ‘Hold up your hands those who are Russian. Those who are Ukrainian. Those who are Jewish.’ She was a hidden anti-Semite. There was no public anti-Semitism, but such a procedure involuntarily made one reflect. She very often made this experiment. She was interested in the national content. Everybody understood that neither Russians nor Ukrainians roused special emotions. A Jew does rouse such emotions. Everybody turns around to see who is a Jew. It led to national discord between children. I myself felt uneasy. I had a very bad attitude towards that teacher, and so did she to me. We hated each other.
I didn’t have private teachers. My friends were both Russians and Jews. We didn’t really feel the difference as we considered ourselves Soviet above all. I loved to read, especially historic and adventurous novels. Once I was in a summer pioneer camp [12] and twice in a sanatorium [resort] in Slavyansk. But I spent most of the time with my parents. I joined the Komsomol [13] during the Great Patriotic War absolutely sincerely, because of my convictions.
Only once I met a teacher with whom I could not have good relations. It was our teacher of Geography and our class teacher. Maybe she couldn’t cope with the fact that I was a Jewess. She liked to make the following inquiry, ‘Hold up your hands those who are Russian. Those who are Ukrainian. Those who are Jewish.’ She was a hidden anti-Semite. There was no public anti-Semitism, but such a procedure involuntarily made one reflect. She very often made this experiment. She was interested in the national content. Everybody understood that neither Russians nor Ukrainians roused special emotions. A Jew does rouse such emotions. Everybody turns around to see who is a Jew. It led to national discord between children. I myself felt uneasy. I had a very bad attitude towards that teacher, and so did she to me. We hated each other.
I didn’t have private teachers. My friends were both Russians and Jews. We didn’t really feel the difference as we considered ourselves Soviet above all. I loved to read, especially historic and adventurous novels. Once I was in a summer pioneer camp [12] and twice in a sanatorium [resort] in Slavyansk. But I spent most of the time with my parents. I joined the Komsomol [13] during the Great Patriotic War absolutely sincerely, because of my convictions.
Period
Location
Belovodsk
Ukraine
Interview
Nina Khlevner