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My mother’s father Shmil Makovetskiy was a rabbi. He came to Matsevichi after finishing his studies in yeshiva. I don’t know where he came from. He was born in the late 1860s. I saw his photograph. He was a very handsome man. He had a long well groomed beard. My grandfather was a very religious and reserved man. He perished in 1920, 7 years before I was born and this is all I know about him.
My mother had two older brothers. Her oldest brother Moshe was born in 1893 and Usher was born in 1896. My mother was born on 6 September 1901.
My mother’s brothers got a religious education at cheder. My mother studied at home with a teacher from cheder. My mother could read and write in Hebrew and Yiddish. She prayed in Hebrew. She also studied French with another teacher. My mother learned Polish from her friends – daughters of the family of Polish lord living in a mansion not far from their house. My mother’s parents were respectable people. Hers was a religious family.
During the Civil war of 1914-1918 the power switched from one military formation to another: from the “green” units (2), white guard (3), Petlura units (4) and others. My mother’s brother Usher was married and lived in the vicinity of Starokonstantinov with his family. They were expecting their first baby. Once in 1919 Usher was going home from Starokonstantinov. He met Petlura soldiers. Usher was wearing good boots. The soldiers shot him and took his boots. He was foun on the road in the morning. He was buried at the Jewish cemetery in Starokonstantinov. Usher’s daughter was born after he died. His wife remarried and kept out of touch with our family.
My mother’s brother Moshe left Matsevichi for Nikolaev in 1916. He had a wife – Dobtsia and four children. He was a driver. My mother’s brothers and their families were religious people. They observed traditions and went to synagogue.
My mother had two older brothers. Her oldest brother Moshe was born in 1893 and Usher was born in 1896. My mother was born on 6 September 1901.
My mother’s brothers got a religious education at cheder. My mother studied at home with a teacher from cheder. My mother could read and write in Hebrew and Yiddish. She prayed in Hebrew. She also studied French with another teacher. My mother learned Polish from her friends – daughters of the family of Polish lord living in a mansion not far from their house. My mother’s parents were respectable people. Hers was a religious family.
During the Civil war of 1914-1918 the power switched from one military formation to another: from the “green” units (2), white guard (3), Petlura units (4) and others. My mother’s brother Usher was married and lived in the vicinity of Starokonstantinov with his family. They were expecting their first baby. Once in 1919 Usher was going home from Starokonstantinov. He met Petlura soldiers. Usher was wearing good boots. The soldiers shot him and took his boots. He was foun on the road in the morning. He was buried at the Jewish cemetery in Starokonstantinov. Usher’s daughter was born after he died. His wife remarried and kept out of touch with our family.
My mother’s brother Moshe left Matsevichi for Nikolaev in 1916. He had a wife – Dobtsia and four children. He was a driver. My mother’s brothers and their families were religious people. They observed traditions and went to synagogue.
Location
Ukraine
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Faina Volper Biography