Drogichin, Belarus (page 241)

[Page 241]

[photo:] Standing, from left: Aharon Meir Oberman, Alter Hausman, Hershel Eisenstein, Moshe Levack and Moshe Kravetz. Seated from right: Hershel Levack (child), Hershel Hochman, head of yeshiva (see p. 44), Yisrael Kravetz, and unknown.

Picture was taken at the Street House of Study at the door under the inscription, 'Established in 1920, and renovated with funds from the brothers Nehemiah and Yitzchak, sons of Yisrael Kravetz, in 1928. The treasurer was Zvi son of Moshe Eisenstein. Aside from Zvi Levack, everyone perished. May G-d avenge their blood!

        The Hausmans had five children: Hendl (in Chicago with her husband David Eisenstein and children); Chasha, Esther-Rachel (in New York); Chana-Devorah (died in New York), and Alter (perished with his family in Drohitchin). R. Zelig died on March 5, 1928. His wife Sirka died on December 8, 1929.

Aharon Meir Oberman, May G-d avenge his death

        Aharon Meir Oberman was born in Kamenetz in approximately 1902 and became the son-in-law of Alter Hausman. Aharon Meir, who was a scholar, was a rare cantor and Torah-reader. He was the jewel of the family. Aharon Meir had a sweet lyrical voice and a good ear for music. His method of chanting the prayers was a mixture of ordinary praying and a cantorial style, and he was considered the best cantor in the region. People in the town and nearby area liked to have him lead the prayer services. In his final years R. Aharon Meir led the prayer services permanently in the Street House of Study.

        Aharon Meir never received a penny for his Torah-reading. He earned a good living from his bakery, and was also involved in the export of eggs. His wife Chasha Hendl helped him in business. She, like her mother Charna, was a good businesswoman.

        The Obermans had two children: Kalman and Leiba. R. Aharon and his family perished. May G-d avenge their deaths.

[Page 242]

LITMAN AND BEILA EISENSTEIN

[photo:] R. Litman Eisenstein
         Beila Eisenstein

        Litman Eisenstein, a son of R. Hershel and Reichel and a close relative of Rabbi Avraham Eisenstein (see p. 118), was born in 1859 in Drohitchin and studied in the kheder. In approximately 1885 he married Beila, the daughter of R. Zalman and Rachel of Subot (a village near Drohitchin), and went into business.

        In 1890 Eisenstein arrived in the United States, but returned soon to Drohitchin. During the war years (1914-1919), the Eisensteins supported the needy, both relatives and others, with bread and potatoes. During the same period Eisenstein was also active in the burial society, and assisted with provide typhus victims with a respectable burial.

        In 1920 Eisenstein and his family arrived in Chicago and settled there permanently. Litman, who was strongly influenced by the traditional way of life, lived out his life in the company of other émigrés from Drohitchin and at the House of Study in Chicago.

        R. Litman died on the first day of Rosh Hashanah in 1928.

        Litman's wife Beila was respected and influential in her community, and always lent a hand to the poor and oppressed. She was especially devoted to the education of her children and made every effort to raise them in the Jewish spirit. In later years, it was said that she left this world because of how much she missed her eldest son, Alter, who left for the United States at a very young age, and whom she hoped to see again. Her wish was fulfilled, and one year after she and the family arrived in Chicago, she and Litman accompanied Alter to the wedding canopy. Unfortunately, that same night Beila contracted a lung infection and died shortly thereafter at the age of 56 on February 17, 1922.

        The Eisensteins had 5 children: Alter (Arizona), Avraham, David, Rachel and Yosef in Chicago.

        R. Litman also had two brothers: R. David and R. Yudel, plus a sister Chaya Dova. She died thirteen years ago in Chicago at the age of 88.

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