Olyka, Ukraine {Page 256}

AVRAHAM CHAIM GOLDBERG

The tailor Avraham Chaim Goldberg lived not far from my grandmother, Rivka Moshkeles, of blessed memory. Anyone who can remember Olyka from those days during the First World War will certainly recall quiet hardworking Avraham Chaim, who calmly and modestly lived from his tailoring business. He was also active in community affairs with no thought of monetary compensation for his activities. He was always the manager [gabbai] of the Chevra Kadisha [Burial Society]. Every year, on the sabbath morning of the reading of the first Torah portion [Bereshis], he sponsored a kiddush in synagogue. He would keep in touch with neighboring shtetls and would tell them that if there were any fugitives from the front who wanted to hide, he would hide them in his cellar. He was able to take in 14 Jews, arrange a "bunker" for them in his cellar and provide them with food, drink and clothing almost until the very end of the war.

Someone reported him to the authorities and one of his fugitives was captured. Avraham Chaim was given a death sentence, and the entire town together with the Rebbe interceded on his behalf. Thanks to their mediation, he was spared.

May these few words serve as a testimony to the illustrious image of Avraham Chaim the tailor from our town, Olyka.

{p. 256}

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