Tag #152781 - Interview #101503 (Vladimir Khalfin)

I went to the same school in 1936. We studied all subjects in Yiddish. We had classes in Jewish history and general subjects. There were not many children in the Jewish school since many Jewish families preferred to send their children to Ukrainian school. There was a 5-year Jewish school and after finishing it children had to continue studies in a Ukrainian school. We also had to continue education in the Ukrainian lower secondary school. Besides, all higher educational institutions were Ukrainian or Russian and it was easier for Jewish children to have knowledge of these languages if they studied in Ukrainian or Russian schools. I was successful with all subjects, but I was particularly fond of mathematics. I became a pioneer at the Jewish primary school. There wasn’t much of a ceremony. We were lined up and said a pioneer oath. Then red neckties were tied. My life didn’t change after I became a pioneer.