PRUZHANY YZKOR BOOK

1983

PRUZANA SURVIVORS IN THE UNITED STATES

By Morris Sorid (Moshe Yudewicz)

In 1949, Holocaust survivors began arriving in the US. Most of the survivors requested after all the hardships and tribulations they suffered in the ghetto, in Auschwitz, the forests and the Soviet Union to reunite with their families, who immigrated before the war. Most settled in New York, the state of New Jersey, Philadelphia, Connecticut and Florida. The pangs of absorption the ignorance of the English language, the lack of an appropriate profession, difficulties in initial arrangements and the conditions of adaptation to a new reality were not easy. The survivors not only had to adapt to the American way of life, but to rehabilitate themselves and find their place in society after the Holocaust years and the killing on "the planet" of Auschwitz.

As time passed, the survivors learned to find work and an occupation, penetrating into the economy and finding status and a livelihood. They established families and took care to educate their children: among the young generation, there are members of the liberal professions: doctors, lawyers and engineers who occupy a place in American society and culture. The survivors have a deep Jewish feeling, that leads to their involvement in Jewish life and work for the State of Israel. They visit the State of Israel from time to time and draw inspiration from Jewish independence. Perhaps, it is they in particular-the remnants of the destruction in Europe who know how to feel the special taste of the freedom of Israel more than other Jews, whose destiny saved them from the divine justice meted out to European Jewry.

The survivors find much interest in meeting other towns fellows in the framework of Landsleit of Pruzana, whose organization did so much for them. They remember the impressive meeting of comrades in 1950 when the Pruzana Jews living in America first met the survivors. The latter do not forget the great help they received while in the camps in Germany and in other countries.

The memorial meeting held annually for the martyrs of Pruzana, Shershev, Malch, Seltz, Linewe and Bialystock Jews who were in the Pruzana ghetto, not only serve the survivors as a memorial meeting, but as an encounter of friendship with their brethren. The memorial meeting is one of the activities of the Special Aid Committee of Pruzana Jews and District in New York. The other activities include maintaining links with Pruzana Jews everywhere and help to the needy.

As the memorial meeting approaches, the members raise their contributions to the committee and enable it to carry out its tasks. The committee raised money for the establishment of a Kupat Holim clinic in Kiryat Ata in Israel and for a wood in the Martyrs Forest near Jerusalem, thanks to the initiative of Lena NEIDUS JUDEWICZ. The work of Zalman URIEWICZ, who headed the committee from 1950 until his death should not be forgot ton. His place was taken by Hershel MORAVSKY, may he enjoy long life. After he retired, the author and Yitzhak JANOVITCH took over the job.

Sarah ROZANSKY as secretary of the committee is very active. The branch in Philadelphia, founded by Yitzhak ROGOVITCH is also active and is headed by Berl BLUSTEIN, who originated from Linewe. The members of the committee are: Irving JANOWITZ and Morris SORID -chairmen; Sarah (Shirley) ROZANSKY -financial secretary; Moshe RUDNICKI secretary; Hershel (Harrold) MORROW treasurer, and Berl BLUSTEIN.

The figure of Lena NEIDUS JUDEVICZ the famous dentist in Pruzana should not be forgotten. She came to America in 1939 to visit her family and stayed in New York. After the war, when she discovered the list of survivors she helped with devotion and activated others, working wonders with her energy and sacrifice. She was one of the first to visit Israel and marveled at what she saw and heard.

Lena was an intellectual and wise. She was a loyal Zionist from her youth and helped her husband in his national and Hebrew activity. She always helped the poor and returned the treatment fee they paid for dentistry. Due to her love of Israel she was called "the mother of the Pruzana Jews". Lena spent her last years in an old aged home and until her death on January 13, 1976 she showed an interest in public and individual needs. May her memory be blessed.