Document text
FORM C
Text of Interview (Unedited)
STATE
New York
NAN,E OF WOAKER
Emanuel Verschleiser
mmmEss
1419 Jessup Ave., Bronx, New York City
DATE
August 31, 1938
SUBJECT
A TALE ABOUT A MARRIACE MATCH
FOLKLORE
NEW YORK
Our family was aristocratic, we had many rabbis in our
family. My mother especially was very proud of our noble lineage
(Tithes). She was a proud and energetic woman. My father was a
quiet man. When not occupied with his business he was poring over
his pious books. Even the writer of the Torahs (Holy Scrolls), with
whose son I fell in love, was below our station. A tailor or shoe.
maker was something utterly degrading.
When I was 13 or 14 a match waw arranged for me with the son
of the Harkabi family, considered one of the most important families
among the Jews. I was in love with the writer of the Torahs' son and
didn't want to hear about the match. But nobody listened to me. I
cried and cried. My sister was the one who arranged the match.
Everything was arranged. Linen was ordered from Lods for the trousseau,
my sister was to give me a servant for a year as marriage gift. The
Tnoim (marriage contract) were to be signed at my sister's house
where the :Prid eeroom and the bride were to meet. I cried: "I don't
want", but they 1**401ptilto listen to me. At the last minute, when
absolutely refused and said I will never go with him under the Cbuppa
(bridal canopy) my father became very angry and called me loose woman
-2«
(Chazufah) and hit me. Then they sent in the rabbi tottalk to me.
He said: My child* why dont you want to marry him, he comes from
such a famous family and he is a scholar. I answered: I don't
love him. The rabbi was astounded. What do you mean love him?
You will love him later when you are married. When still refused, he
asked me in a fatherly voice if something, God forbid, happened to
me (I later understand he meant if I was not with child with the
Torah writer's son, who they told him I was in love with.) He argued
with ma and I did not give in. Then my sister came in and beat me.
The match came to naught. I later married the Torah writer's son
but became disappointed soon after the marriage and we didn't live
happily.
41414141-11****4HHHHHHHHHHHHHI-41414******
A FOLIETALE ABOUT A "CANTONIST"
I was looking out through the window. It was a clear
snowy morning a carriage stopped at our door and a gentleman stepped
out and came in to our house. I was not surprised because many
christian gentlemen came to our house. My father was dealing in
hemp which he bought up from the local estates and sent off to
far places* even Germany. We lived in the provincial county seat
of Wietebak. The gentleman began to inquire of my father about his
family* how many brothers he had and all the history of his family.
My mother was scared and told my father. "I beg you, guard your
tongue, you are always talking....". And after some more talk,
when father asked the gentleman why all these questions, the stranger
fell on my father's neck, saying; "I am your brother." He was one
of the "Cantoniste. And he told us his whole history, When he
was a child he was caught by the Czar catchers, taken with many
other Jewish children* taken far away to be brought up as a Russian
soldier and a Christian. But he never forgot that he was a Jew.
He had talent as a musician and so was given musical education
and became later a famous pianist. When he became a free man he
made many times inquiries about his family because he never forgot
that he is a Jew. At last he found his family and he is happy, and
he wants to remain with us* he said* and become a Jew again. My
mother had some fears but my father overcame them. The man remained
in our house and returned to the Jewish faith.
My sister, a young girl of eighteen, fell in love with
him. He was a man in his fifties but there was something compelling,
inspiring in the man... She wanted to marry him. My father and
mother were in despair. They threatened and cried, but nothing
helped. She went away with him, married him. Although he formally
returned to the Jewish faith, my father considered him a Christian
and he sat Shiva (seven.day mouring) and tore his clothing, as is the
Jewish custom, when somebody died. For him his daughter was dead.
She lived with him in Riga. She had with him two children.
When she gave birth to the second child she died in milk.fever"
(milk in her breasts became poisioned). In her death agonies she
cried that God punished her because she married a ohristian.
4141414HH******4HHHH141***
At the time of Czar Nicolai I, small Jewish children were
caught in the streets* taken into far Russian provinces, brought up as
ohristians and given to the army. They were called "Cantonistee
Many stories grew up about them, relating dramatic reunions, return
to the Jewish faith, etc.
FURL .0
,Ex:tra Comment
maT New York
NAME OF WORKER. Emanuel Versohleiser
ADDRESS 1419 Jessup Ave.* Bronx* N. Y.
DATE
August 31* 1938
SUBJECT A TALE ABOUT A MARRIAGE MATCH
FOLKLORE
NEW YORK
Told to the reviewer by Mrs. D. Rivlins of Union Square
Hotel* at the cafeteria "frusaderw* whore interviewer had a few
talks with her. Woman over sixty* of gentle manners.