The first part of this recording is a continuation of a formal interview with Boris Naumovich Khandros. (Part 3 of 3. See MDV 505 and MDV 506) Khandros shares his experience with Hasidic pilgrims in Uman', where he spent time with a Hasid who wrote down his father’s songs. Then the conversation moves to prewar religious life in his home town Ozarintsy and Hasidim living there. The tzaddik died in 1911, which resulted in the decline of the Hasidic community.

He remembers his friend Hershl Koyfman, a tanner, who prayed at the synagogue. Koyfman’s mother told stories about the Bible. He continues to talk about the local mikvah (ritual bath) that he was taken to, as well as the synagogue. The conversation then turns to the early days of German occupation. He was not in Ozarintsy when the Germans entered. He explains that the Germans plundered the synagogue and Jewish houses. Peasants participated, but brought back the stolen goods some time later. He mentions a maid who worked in their house and stole his family’s sewing machine. Yet she brought it back in October 1941. He then talks about a shabes goy (non-Jewish Sabbath helper) who did not support the Jews during the war. He was imprisoned for ten years after the war. Khandros then talks about his work. He published a book and also produced 35 documentaries. The conversation turns to the blacksmith Roznblit who taught Khandros a number of proverbs. Then he talks about the visit of an American president. The president visited with him and other war veterans in Babiy Yar. Khandros talks more about the organization of his work.

The second part of the tape is a formal interview with Motl Isaakovich Derbaremdiker in Kyiv, born in Berdychiv. (Part 1 of 3. See MDV 508 and MDV 509) He talks about his religious school education. He had to switch to a Yiddish school when the religious school was closed in 1927. Then he talks about life when the Germans came into town. They took a number of documents, among them his birth certificate in Yiddish. He shows it to the camera. The conversation then turns to his school education at the Yiddish School Number 13. In the same building there was also a trade school and a Ukrainian school. After seven grades, he went to a technical school. He received his diploma on June 20, 1941; two days before the war broke out. Derbaremdiker then discusses the famine of 1932/33 and his bar mitzvah in secret. Derbaremdiker shares information about certain groups who would make sure that the Jewish community did not celebrate Passover. The conversation returns to his school education and his work at the Sunday school. The tape concludes with Derbaremdiker retelling Peretz’s story “Three Gifts.”