Isaak Rabinovich, Michael and Olga Botvinnik

This is my father, Isaak Rabinovich, with cousin Michael Botvinnik and Michael's daughter Olga. Father studied mathematics and became a scientific researcher at the astrophysics laboratory of the Academy of Sciences. Father was an outstanding popularizer of mathematical and astronomical knowledge for wide circles of the population. He is the author of 186 written works. My family settled in Kraslava by the beginning of the 19th century, when Zalman Rabinovich was invited to become the local rabbi by Count Plater. The Platers attracted Jews to the area, both for trade and for crafts. They treated Jews very well and were very loyal. Zalman Rabinovich had two sons - Abram-Tuvia (Tobias) and Samuil. Both sons followed the progressive Jewish movement known as Haskalah. Both sons were extremely devoted to education, knowledge and the study of secular sciences. They no longer adhered to traditional Jewish religion. Both brothers are my great-grandfathers. Tobias's son, my grandfather, Moisei Rabinovich, married his cousin Masha Rabinovich, Samuil's daughter. Masha's sister Shifra married Moisei Botvinnik, and had two sons. One of them was Michael. Michael originally studied to become an electrical engineer. He became the chess champion of the world.