Kestenberg Archive

JA was born in December 1940, in Russia. His parents sought refuge there, during the war. The extended families remained in Poland, eventually perishing under the Nazi regime. JA and his parents lived in Siberia, in a Russian organized communal group, or lager. They stayed until 1943, later moving to a big city. His mother worked in printing and black marketed train tickets. JA's father returned to Poland, begging family and friends to flee. After the war, 1945, Germany evacuated from Polish territory. The family returned to Poland and was assigned to live in a German SS house. The next year, JA attended school locally. His father joined survivors in seeking revenge and retribution. They targeted and killed individuals that encouraged the Nazis. After the 1946 Pogroms, the family moved to a bigger city which offered greater protection for Jews. The family reestablished their printing business and JA attended a Hebrew School until 1950. Poland soon closed Hebrew Schools, only allowing Jewish Communist/Yiddish Schools. His father objected, so JA went to a Polish Public School. The Jewish Communists discouraged Aliyah. The family moved to Israel in 1947. JA was 17 years old and served in the army. He became an officer employed in the education sector. He feels that child survivors did better in Israel, as they were fully accepted and cherished by the entire society.