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Recording Content:
The first part of the recording is a continuation of a tour with Rabbi Noach Kofmansky, recorded in the synagogue of Chernivtsi. (Part 2 of 2. See Accession # 09-008.01-F MDV 232) [00:00 – 22:58]
The second part of the recording is a formal interview with Roza (Reyzl) Ovsheevna Shternberg, born 1924 in Khotyn. (Part 1 of 3. See MDV 415 and MDV 416) [00:22:59 – 01:01:53]
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00:00:00
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Kofmansky explains different elements of the synagogue, before the formal part of his interview begins. |
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00:03:16
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Kofmansky, was born 1946 in Chernivtsi, provides personal information and talks about his family. His grandfather Chaim Sholem was a rabbi from Bălți. Kofmansky attended a private school and studied with a private religious tutor in the afternoons. He then talks about contemporary religious life and the synagogue, as well as shares more about his family. Kofmansky studied physics at the Chernivtsi University. Kofmansky raised a daughter and a son, who lives in Israel. |
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00:18:53
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The camera records footage of the synagogue, before it records town footage. |
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00:22:59
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The second part of the tape is a formal interview with Roza (Reyzl) Ovsheevna Shternberg, born 1924 in Khotyn. Shternberg, nee Kerzhner, talks about her family. Her father, a merchant, was born in Khotyn. Her mother was also born in Khotyn. She explains that her parents worked for the well-off Jewish merchant Bordeynik. He had business contacts to America (also see MDV 418). Shternberg recites a Purim shpiel, she remembers from her Yiddish teacher. Shternberg then talks about life today and sings a Yiddish song about love. |
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00:29:53
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Shternberg talks about her family, in particular her sister who was in the Zionist organization “Hashomer.” She explains that her sister went to Palestine before the war, but returned Khotyin when the war broke out. Shternberg grew with three sisters and one brother. She then sings the melody of the well-known Yiddish song “Vu bistu geven?” (where were you) with a different text, dealing with kibbutz. |
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00:37:07
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Shternberg briefly discusses childhood memories of her hometown Khotyn, before she talks about her life during the war. She attended a Romanian school and explains that twice a week the Yiddish teacher Yanever would visit the school, whereas the non-Jewish students were taught by a priest during that time. Shternberg recalls how her teacher would compose songs for holidays. She then remembers the words for a Passover and Hanukkah song her teacher composed. Shternberg then sings a number of well-known Yiddish songs. |
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00:49:24
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Shternberg briefly discusses holiday celebration and sings a Yiddish song about life in poverty and love. |
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00:57:00
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Shternberg talks about prewar Jewish weddings in Khotyn and non-Jews who spoke Yiddish. |
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