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Profile of an American Jew by Yonathan Ben-Natan Abe Stolar was born in Chicago in 1912. He grew up there through the first World War, the Roaring Twenties, and during the stock market crash ushering in the Great Depression and Abe’s parents wanted a better life. They decided to move from Chicago to settle in Moscow as they, and many of their contemporaries, believed that Communism was a better way of life, especially at the time. Aliyah was only a remote thought as Israel was not to be born for another 17 years. Abe was an only child, and though 19 years old, did not feel that he could be on his own yet, independent of his parents. Abe went with his family, planning to return to Chicago within two years. By 1933 it had already become impossible to leave the Soviet Union. Stalin continued to consol idate his power by exiling and murdering hundreds of thousands of people deemed a threat to his regime. This time became known as the Black Years, a time when people did not know if they would be alive the next morning. Abe’s family did not escape the purges. One night Abe’s father was taken from their home and never seen again. During his early adulthood Abe became friends with another man from Chicago whose parents had also moved to Moscow. Bernie Lampert was 12 years Abe’s junior yet they became very close friends. After a while Abe and Bernie re signed themselves to living in Mos cow, not to return to Chicago. Eventually they both married Jew ish Muscovites. Bernie had four children and Abe had one son, Misha. After the Six-Day War many Soviet Jews became more inter ested in Israel and Judaism. This was a catalyst for the beginning of the emigration movement among Soviet Jews. Abe was also inspired. He, his wife Gita (who now holds Israeli citizenship), and son app lied to leave. The Soviets promptly refused his application, saying that Soviet citizens could not emigrate to Israel. Abe, however, was not a Soviet citizen and never applied for Soviet citizenship. He has al ways held a U.S. passport and has all the rights of an American citi zen residing in the U.S.S.R. Finally, in the autumn of 1975, Abe got permission to leave. Within days Abe, Gita and Misha had sold everything they owned and pur chased plane tickets to leave the U.S.S.R. Before the plane took °ff, three KGB men boarded the plane and told Abe that their per mission had been revoked at the last minute, that they were to go home. As the Moscow winter rapid ly approached, Abe and his family returned “home" with nothing other than the clothes they wore. Abe was already an elderly man. " 'thin a few years he retired and began studying Hebrew, which is illegal in the U.S.S.R. Misha also studied Hebrew while learning about Judaism, and became obser vant. With his many Western con nections, Abe was able to arrange for an American rabbi to perform a wedding for his son and wife-to- be. Throughout the late ’70s, as emigration increased, Abe’s appli cation was always passed by. Finally, in April 1985 Abe re ceived permission again for him self, his wife and his son, but not for his daughter-in-law. The Soviets will not recognize Misha’s mar riage. At the same time, Bernie Lampet also received permission and was able to leave the U.S.S.R. within a week with his entire family. Abe knew that leaving without Misha’s wife meant that they would never see her again, so he decided to try again to get out all together. His permission from April was valid for six months, so he hoped to leave by September. He was packed, ready to go, fully expect ing that he would leave shortly. September came and passed with out change. The Geneva summit resulted in many others getting permission to leave, also after many years of waiting, but to this by Rabbi Samuel J. Fox JTA Why are Jews traditionally re quired to live in, or at least eat in, temporary shacks or booths called sukkas during the last autumn fes tival of the year? A biblical statement (Leviticus 23:42) explicitly requires this prac tice, associating it with the dwell ing in booths by the people of Israel led by Moses in the desert. In general, the practice is consi dered a reminder that, even if Jews must move from place to place, they should retain their faith in the Almighty and understand that this is their destiny and the Almighty will look after them. Such has been the case many times in Jewish history; each movement was not catastrophic day, Abe’s permission has been refused over and over again. In February 1985 Julia Stolar, Abe’s daughter-in-law, gave birth to their first child, a girl. Abe’s first grandchild is a third generation American Soviet Jewish refusnik. In light of the recent affair with Nicholas Daniloff, one can only wonder why after more than 50 years Abe and his family remain captive in the Soviet Union, and why the United States government has not done more to secure their release. Now 75 years old, Abe’s only dream is that he and his entire fam ily will be able to get out and go to Israel. The realization of his dream is subject to the whims of Soviet policy, where the only consistency is in the inconsistency. Abe is proud to be a Jew, and only wants to live the rest of his life as a free Jew in Israel. Greetings can be sent to Abe, and should be non-political, at G. Rozovsky, Prospect Vernadsky 117, Apt. 151, Moscow 117571 U.S.S.R. and, with the help of the Almighty, enriched Jewish faith and culture. Why is the roof of the sukka required to cast more shadow than it allows in light? This represents Jewish history, in which there indeed has been more darkness than light. Yet, Judaism, the Jewish people and the Jewish homeland miraculously have survived. While the land of Israel always has been looked upon by Jews as their homeland, politically the land has been under the control of many non-Jewish governments far longer than under Jewish control. By remembering that even when there is darkness there is light, as in the sukka’s example, the Jewish people have kept their faith, cour age and hope. the w * con do.*; ’ layout 0;i gn 'y Platting ' Comoro Work flr ocf,ur# f reorive <*>4)876.8248 ‘ f'V.r. C Ord. VV 'dd<"9/nW, 0 „ 0n :^P'9li r jon ’*• Fih, ••nth Str, N.W. Quiz Box Obituaries Mrs. Fannie Boorstein dies at 87 Mrs. Mendle (Fannie Spielber- ger) Boorstin, 87, died Sunday, Oct. 12. Graveside service was held Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Greenwood Cemetery with Rabbi Arnold Goodman officiating. Mrs. Boorstin, throughout her life, had a major impact on many areas of the Jewish community, especially the Jewish Home for the Aged of which she was a founder. From the beginning, she served on the Home’s executive and Admis sions committees. She served on the Finance Commiteefor 10 years and was secretary of the Home for 16 years and received numerous awards from the Jewish Home. Although she was 87 years old, she still volunteered there every Tues day to help the “older residents.” A plaque presented to Fannie Boorstin by residents of the Home carried a poetic tribute written by the residents which included the following stanza: So may G-d bless you, whatever you do; You deserve it, as you are a wonderful “you." Fannie dear, you are a woman of valor, none can deny; You do everything well without batting an eye." For her many years of devotion, encouragement and assistance to Fulton Masonic Lodge No. 216 Charles Fleshner Charles Fleshner of Atlanta died Thursday, Oct. 9. Graveside service was held Sun day, Oct. 12, at Greenwood Ceme tery. Rabbi Arnold Goodman and Cantor Isaac Goodfriend officiated. Mr. Fleshner was a member of Ahavath Achim Synagogue, a life member of Hadassah and a member of Jewish War Veterans Post 112. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Mae Clyburn Fleshner; step daughter, Mrs. Marsha K. Stein of Newport Beach, Calif.; step-son, Michael R. Kessler of Atlanta; and three grandchildren. Contributions in his memory may be made to Ahavath Achim Syn agogue or the American Heart Association. Mrs. Mary Dozetos Mrs. Mary Dozetos of Atlanta died Monday, Oct. 13. Graveside service was held Tues day, Oct. 14, at Greenwood Ceme tery. Rabbi S. Robert Ichay offi ciated. Mrs. Dozetos was a member of Congregation Or Veshalom and its sisterhood, and Hadassah. She was the widow of Raymond Dozetos. Survivors include her daughters, Mrs. Louis Habif of Atlanta, Sarah Marks of Miami, and Regina Bar ron of Atlanta; son, Charles Doze tos of Atlanta; sisters, Mrs. Emily Campeas and Mrs. Zelda Berman, both of Atlanta, Matilda Frankel of Miami and the late Victoria Sar- faty of Atlanta; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Donations can be made to Con gregation Or VeShalom. Fannie Boorstin F&AM, she was affectionately re ferred to as Mrs. Fulton Lodge. Her late husband was active in the lodge for many years, as are her son and grandson. Mrs. Boorstin was a charter member of B’nai B’rith Women, a member of the Ahavath Achim Sisterhood, Hadassah, ORT, Geor gia Gerontology Society, and other organizations. She was the former owner of the Mayfair Shop, a women’s clothing store. Survivors include a daughter, Elise Wollner; son, M. Ronald Boorstin; brother, Harry Spielber- ger; all of Atlanta; sister, Mrs. Sid ney Backer of Macon; grandson, Herbert E. Wollner of Atlanta; granddaughter, Mrs. Barbara Funk of Columbus; and five great-grand children. Eleanor C. Rittenbaum Mrs. Eleanor Carl Rittenbaum, 52, of Atlanta died Wednesday, Oct. 15. Funeral was held at Green Lawn Chapel Thursday, Oct. 16, with interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Rabbi Arnold Goodman and Can tor Isaac Goodfriend officiated. Mrs. Rittenbaum was a member of Ahavath Achim Synagogue and its sisterhood, Hadassah and Women’s American ORT. She was a past officer of the A.A. Sister hood. Survivors include her husband, Jerry Rittenbaum; sons, Scott Rit tenbaum of Atlanta, Mark Ritten baum of San Francisco, and Eddie Rittenbaum of Washington, D.C.; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene M. Carl of Atlanta and the late Mrs. Eva Moldow Carl; sister, Mrs. Rita Jacobson of Orlando, Fla.; brother, Richard M. Carl of At lanta; one granddaughter: several nieces and nephews. Marvin Goralnik Marvin Goralnik, 61, of Law- renceville died Saturday, Oct. 8. Graveside service was held Fri day, Oct. 10, at Crest Lawn Mem orial Park. Rabbi Shalom Lewis officiated. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Isabel Putterlik Goralnik; daugh ter, Miss Gail Goralnik of Alpha retta; son, Greg Goralnik of Law- renceville; and sister, Mrs. Bea Shapiro of Fall River, Mass. PAGE 25 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE October 17, 1986