Kestenberg Archive

BZ was born in Chelek, Uzbekistan in 1943. Both of her parents were originally from Warsaw, Poland. They had fled to Bialystock, and from there were sent to Siberia. From Siberia they arrived in Uzbekistan. From 1946-1950 they lived in Lednitz, Poland. They lived briefly in a transit camp in Israel and then immigrated to Australia when she was eight years old. She learnt in a special class for immigrant children and describes herself as a lonely child, an outsider. She also helped her parents who were working in a factory. She feels that her parents were disinterested in her life. She was active in Habonim. After graduating from university, she moved back to Israel and worked as an English teacher, a translator, in El Al and as a tourism public relations officer. She married a man from France who she met in Israel. The marriage did not last however, because he wanted to live in France. Eventually she returned to Australia with her young children. It was important to her that they have a relationship with their grandparents since she never knew her grandparents. Her daughter has now made aliyah, and she would also like to return to Israel. She keeps a kosher home but is not religious. She does not feel like she has a solid identity.