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At last, in January, 1941, I found a job as a bookkeeper in a state printing house. I worked very hard and was warmly accepted by the collective. They respected me and elected me to public posts. It seemed that I had found my place in this new community.
Then without warning at three o’clock in the morning of June 5, 1941, several Russians came to arrest me. They showed the warrant and started to conduct a search. My mother understood at once what was going on and fainted. I didn’t know what to do. Bella was dispatched to the nearest drugstore at three o'clock in the morning for some first aid. I had to use all my force to open my mother's mouth and called for some water. When she recovered consciousness, she exclaimed: "What did you save me for? They’re taking you away, I don’t want to live!"
I never saw my father, mother, or my little sister, Bella, again.
We went on foot through the entire town to the prison. When I asked, "Why have I been arrested?" they would only tell me, "You’ll find out!" They conveyed me directly into a big room, where there were already many prisoners. I recognised one of them as a friend, and I learnt that they had arrested seven people that night.
Later they charged us with being in Ha-Shomer Hazair, which they considered to be an anti-Soviet anti-Zionist organization. During the first few days I was imprisoned I received parcels from my parents, including some me warm clothes.
Then without warning at three o’clock in the morning of June 5, 1941, several Russians came to arrest me. They showed the warrant and started to conduct a search. My mother understood at once what was going on and fainted. I didn’t know what to do. Bella was dispatched to the nearest drugstore at three o'clock in the morning for some first aid. I had to use all my force to open my mother's mouth and called for some water. When she recovered consciousness, she exclaimed: "What did you save me for? They’re taking you away, I don’t want to live!"
I never saw my father, mother, or my little sister, Bella, again.
We went on foot through the entire town to the prison. When I asked, "Why have I been arrested?" they would only tell me, "You’ll find out!" They conveyed me directly into a big room, where there were already many prisoners. I recognised one of them as a friend, and I learnt that they had arrested seven people that night.
Later they charged us with being in Ha-Shomer Hazair, which they considered to be an anti-Soviet anti-Zionist organization. During the first few days I was imprisoned I received parcels from my parents, including some me warm clothes.
Period
Year
1941
Location
Rovno
Ukraine
Interview
Haya-Lea Detinko