Holocaust Survivor Becomes Hesed's First Volunteer

Alexi was born in Belarus in 1934, the youngest of six children. In 1938 their house burned down, and the family moved in with relatives and had no choice but to sleep on the floor.

Alexi’s father was Orthodox, so Alexi studied at the age of six at Heder. When the war began though the Germans expelled the Jews from Alexi's town and sent them to a ghetto. His family stayed in the ghetto for only a short time and then managed to escape to the woods. They wandered for several months, eating only what they could forage. Unfortunately they were caught by the Germans and were sent back to the ghetto. They witnessed terrible things in the ghetto, and in 1943 when the Germans surrendered to the Soviets, they poured gasoline all over the ghetto territory. Those who survived the fire were pulled out and shot. Most of the people who were in the ghetto perished; Alexi and his mother were the only survivors from their family.

After the war Alexi began his studies and soon graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Water Transport. He worked in Astrakhan, and then later moved to the Rostov territory. He now receives help through the Hesed on Wheels program in the form of monthly food packages and medicines.

Over the years, Alexi has developed many medical problems. He suffered a heart attack, several kidney stones, and also has liver trouble. Alexi thought the worst was over, but then he was told that he would need cataract surgery. As it is extremely expensive to get this surgery, he thought he would not be able to afford to eat for several months. The Hesed stepped in with the support of the regional JDC branch, and helped Alexi with the expenses.

Alexi does not like to talk about his war memories, but occasionally shares them with the Hesed employees. Alexi is very proud to be the first Hesed volunteer in his town. He is grateful for the Hesed that has cared for him and helped him through these difficult times. Alexi has found many other Jews in need and has helped assist them and the Hesed employees.