Meet Isaac

We had just lit the menorah with 95 year old Isaac Kadaner.

He had something to show me.

He brought out the album he had made to preserve the memory of his beloved family.

And proceeded to tell their story.

His grandfather Solomon was born in Rostov in 1869, a mere 3 years before our synagogue was built.

When the Nazis conquered Rostov, Solomon and his wife were elderly, and knew they wouldn’t be able to evacuate in time.

So they stayed behind. And hoped for the best.

Their daughter Esther refused to leave without them.

So she bravely stayed behind as well.

On August 11, 1942 the Nazis rounded up Solomon, Miriam, Esther and the rest of the cities’ Jews to the outskirts of town.

To Zmiyovskaya Balka - Snakes Valley.

That was their tragic end.

“The only thing I have left,” said Isaac tearfully, “are my scant memories and these photos.”

“Please, do me a favor. Publish this photo of my dear grandparents and aunt in the next publication you make.”

“I don’t want them to be forgotten.”

-in loving memory of Solomon, Miriam, Esther and 28,000 Jews from Rostov.