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Recording Content:
This recording is a continuation of a formal interview with Iosif Kunovich Burg. (Part 3 of 5. See MDV 405, MDV 406, MDV 408, and MDV 409)
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00:00:00
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Burg talks about the rebbe of Vyzhnytsya, Menachem Mendel Hager. He describes how locals built a soccer field onto the Jewish cemetery. He then talks about his family’s life during World War I. Two of his aunts were beheaded by a mounted soldier. He then talks about the Soviet period, when the oldest Jewish cemetery was desecrated and destroyed to use the material for Soviet monuments. Burg continues talking about the liberal life under Austro-Hungarian rule before WWI, before he talks about contemporary antisemitic press. Burg maintains that the tolerance, experienced under Austro-Hungarian rule, persists until today. |
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00:14:39
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Burg talks about life under Soviet rule, which began in 1940, as well as the persecution of Jews. |
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00:19:00
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Burg reads one of his story “Akeydes yitskhok” (The Story of Isaac), which deals with his childhood. |
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00:24:41
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Burg discusses his childhood memories in his hometown Vyzhnytsya, including Hasidic family of Hager. He mentions an episode of the local priest and the Rebbe of Vyzhnytsya, who showed mutual respect for each other. According to Burg, the rebbe carried a cross on his shoulders to help the priest. Burg remembers non-Jews, their neighbors, who spoke Yiddish. He then talks about his encounter with the rebbe of Vyzhnytsya. His mother went with Burg when he was ten years old, so he can be blessed. Burg explains that that rebbe did not bless because, according to him, Burg was already blessed. |
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00:33:31
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Burg recites part of the Torah (chumash), before he talks about his bar mitzvah Torah portion (parshah), as well recites it. He then talks about religious life today. |
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00:49:11
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Burg talks about his religious education, when he attended religious school (cheder) for seven years. Burg attended a Romanian school, before cheder every day. He then attended the Vyzhnytsya yeshiva. He then talks about Jewish life in prewar Vyzhnytsya and childhood memories of his grandfather. According to Burg, the majority of Jews were Hasidic. He recalls an episode about a Jewish barber who received non-Jewish customers on Sabbath. He covered the windows and locked the door in fear of rebuke from the Hasidic community. However, Burg stresses that the Hasidic community were moderate in his hometown. Burg remembers the time when his father told him stories about the Baal Shem Tov, when his family sat around the fire during the winter. |
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00:52:25
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Burg discusses food customs and holiday customs, such as Tisha B’Av and Passover. Berg then recites the beginning of the Four Questions on Passover. |
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00:59:32
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Burg talks about his and Jewish life in general in prewar Chernivtsi. His family moved from Vyzhnytsya to the city when he was twelve years old. His father continued in his profession and traveled to Vyzhnytsya every day. He passed away at 38. According to Burg, there were 76 prayer houses in Chernivtsi. |
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