Remembering a childhood of antisemitism and fear in the Soviet Union

Russian out of cruel rule

Pay attention. This story’s 100% true.

Little boy. Born in Russia. Parents, poor.

Pointing at him when he was in third grade, the teacher said: “He’s a Jew. Mean, greedy, all the problems we have with Israel are his fault.”

This little boy did not understand the words but, he remembers, “the entire school hated me.

“I was physically abused. Always a bloody nose. Coming to fetch me my brother’s head was split open with a brick. Weekly my book bag went missing. I’d find it in the bathroom, inside the toilet, covered with urine. Mom, crying, always had to buy me new bags, new books.

“I developed a stress disorder. My hands shook. Put in upstate Moscow’s special school for disordered kids, I’d cry for no reason. I was treated with medicine, vitamin injections, hypnosis. Cured after an entire year, I was placed in a school specializing in math. Jewish families were in that area so I thought I could feel safe.

“But swastikas were drawn on our front door. Anonymous letters to the KGB said we stole food. That we had more than others. My parents were summoned to answer where they shop. Our phones: tapped. I’d disconnect wires so at home we could have normal conversations.

“It was constant fear they’d arrest us. Hearing footsteps, we’d panic. At the synagogue the KGB steadily photographed us. One day three men in black suits took me to the detention center. Charged me with rape. A strange woman — no idea who she was — identified me as the rapist.

“It was a steady survey of who you meet, where you go. Terrifying. With antisemitism so bad, afraid we’d be hurt or worse, our dad filed to emigrate to Israel where we had relatives. Instantly my parents lost their jobs. The government came to take me to the army — a death sentence for me — and I had to hide with friends and relatives. Every time you’d hear footsteps, you’d panic.

“One person on the opposite side moved my army information to another pile for 4,000 rubles. She was not Jewish but she took the money.

“I worked at the children’s hospital morgue. My parents brought me costumes. The fear was intense.

“I spent silent days in the hospital. Often I was beaten on the streets. I was even thrown into prison.”

Years ago I was introduced to this little boy, who had found his way to a European country, opened his own business and has since led a quiet, fearless productive life.

B’day bashed

The other day I reported that New York’s British Consulate, on the occasion of King Charles’ forthcoming birthday, nearabouts the Trooping of the Colour, was giving a VIP party. I have just been informed that the King’s Birthday Party “has been postponed for this year due to unforeseen circumstances.” We all hope it has not to do with his health.

So forget kvetching about Russians and Brits, anyone hear that our next generation’s future zebras are getting very nervous? Seems they heard a rumor that their kind was boarding the ark alphabetically.

And that’s not even only in New York, kids, only in New York.