HIAS

My life and the difficulties I had to overcome - how my life has turned out.

I was born in Moscow in an ordinary Iewish family, like many Jewish families in Moscow in those days. From being very independent child I grew up to become a teenager who had paid more attention to the boys in school than to studies. My passion was dancing and performing on stage.

The life was tough in Moscow, the food was scarse and pretty basic. I remember how much I’ve enjoyed the doughnuts with meat and sometimes with potatoes inside them. We used to buy them on a street from the food kiosks.

I got married at 19 just after high school. At 21 I had my first child. Eventually I went back to college. After finishing college I began my career at a research institute.

My husband and I grew apart, and finally we got divorced. He emigrated to Germany, and my son chose to go to America.

I came to America mainly because of my son Gary. In Russia he was not able to pursue the career he wanted and live the life he wanted because he was Jewish. Another reason I immigrated to America was because I knew that my sister’s family was going to come also and I did want to be separated from them. We were a very close-knit family and always stayed together in good times and in difficult times. I knew that if I came to America it would be very hard for me without the language, and I probably would not have a job as great. I decided to do it anyways in order for my son to live up to his full potential and fulfill all of his dreams.

We came to America in 1989 and about half a year later were joined by the rest of their relatives. In America my son went to George Washingston University to become a lawyer. To help him to go thru school I took a loan. I was able to keep working and paying-off this loan with my small salary while my son was studying very hard. Nowdays my son supplements my small pension and always makes sure I have everything I need.

The most important thing for me is that all my family and loved ones are here. After 20 years of beingin America I realized that this was a smart decision and I am very happy.


The story is retold by Arielle Friedman, a student of Shalom Educational Center, Rockville, MD

0 Comments