Trochenbrod (2025)

28/01/2025

Dear Trochenbroders,

Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day of commemoration to honor the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of N***sm, intolerance and hate, our hearts turn to our own dear family members who lost their lives in Trochenbrod.

We Remember Them.

Perhaps you are already familiar with the song about our town called, Children of Trochenbrod, written by Joe Jencks, an award-winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist based in Chicago. The song is performed by Joe and our fellow descendant, Cantor Charlie Bernhardt. You can find the hauntingly beautiful song, here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IMeoPGzFYo with lyrics below.

During our 2012 trip to Trochenbrod, led by Avrom Bendavid-Val, z"l, Charlie played Children of Trochenbrod as part of our Kaddish prayers in the Yaromel forest near Trochenbrod. It is a moment that is seared in my memory and in my heart.

As the descendants of Trochenbrod, we have a special bond. We are the children of Trochenbrod, and we remember.

Andrea

Children of Trochenbrod
Who can ever know or say
What makes a heart go blind
What paves the road to hatred
Or what shadows fill the mind
What voice cries out in memories
What sacred words unspoken
Demand each generation
Try to heal what has been broken?

From the heart of a wilderness
By the labor of their hands
The People built this town
Row by row they plowed the land
Friday night by candlelight
The ancient prayers were read
Celebrating Shabbos
Singing songs and breaking bread

Chorus
We remember
We remember
We are the children of Trochenbrod

There were whispers on the wind
In nineteen forty one
That the war would come to Trochenbrod
But there was nowhere left to run
Rumors of the camps came in
With refugees each day
They were trying to find safety
And stay out of history’s way
In August nineteen forty two
Trochenbrod stood brave
Hitler’s army gave them shovels
They were forced to dig their graves
Soldiers lined them up like bottles
And they did not waste a round
Not a single soul was spared
Five thousand lifeless on the ground

Then the N***s stole the paving stones
And filled in every well
Then they took a torch to Eden
And they turned it into hell
There was nothing left but ash
They planted trees to hide their shame
Though wicked men tried to erase it
We know this place has a name!

All the children of Trochenbrod
Anachnu kol b’nei Trochenbrod (Hebrew)
Mir zeinen alle die kinder fon Trochenbrod (Yiddish)
Todas es criances de Trochenbrod (Brazilian Portuguese)
And we remember!Children

23/04/2024

Dear Trochenbroders,

I send you my heartfelt greetings for Pesach in this year of all years and time of all times. For me, traditions and memories go hand in hand and keep us close l'dor v'dor. I feel grateful to be able to bring the old stories back into our minds, remind us of our loved ones, and kindle again the ties that bind us together as a community.

In what is becoming a yearly tradition for the first night of Pesach, I would like to share an excerpt from our dear friend Avrom Bendavid-Val (Z"L)'s book, The Heavens Are Empty that describes Passover preparations in Trochenbrod. Avrom quotes Shmilike Drossner, a pre-World War I immigrant to the United States:

“I want to explain how matzahs were baked in Trochenbrod. The people in Trochenbrod rented a house [in the town] for four weeks before Passover. Then they started to clean it thoroughly to make sure it was kosher. Then each family brought flour enough for their family and they hired girls and women to the work. One man took care of the oven, and when one family’s matzah supply was baked it was carried in a bag made of linen hung from a long post and was delivered that way. Then they started on someone else’s matzah, and so on, until they had baked enough for everybody. This isn’t as simple as it may seem. The water that was used in mixing the flour was brought in before it got dark, for the next day, and it was then put in a barrel. It was brought up from a well, one bucket at a time.

"You didn’t ask about the Passover wine, but I will tell you anyway. Everybody made their own wine of raisins.

"About the Passover horseradish and also potatoes, they were grown in our own backyard and we had enough to use all year and also to share with others that didn’t have any. They were of the finest quality, the best in our town.”

Avrom describes the importance of the Jewish holidays to life in Trochenbrod, “Everyone lived for the peaceful routine of the Sabbath, and the year was marked by the Jewish holidays. People gave the date of their birth as so many days or weeks before or after the nearest Jewish holiday.”

This way of counting time by the holidays is something that my grandmother carried with her from Trochenbrod, and Passover was the key reference point to her first days in America.

Her story of arriving at Ellis Island always began with “It was just before Pesach …” and continued with her describing how, filled with gratitude after arriving at her aunt and uncle's home in Brooklyn, she cleaned the house from top to bottom, including washing the floor on her hands and knees. The story was always told with a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face – the same twinkle that was there whenever she spoke of Trochenbrod.

With sweet memories of friendship, holidays in years past, and hope for the future, I wish you all a Chag Semeach.

Andrea

11/12/2023

Dear Trochenbroders,

The miracle commemorated by the Hanukkah lights reminds us that the path through a dark time is to spread more light - something needed now more than ever.

As we are in the midst of the holiday, I want to share a charming story about how the Hanukkah lights were kindled in Trochenbrod as told in the book The Heavens are Empty by Avrom Bendavid-val.

“Shmilike Drossner, a pre-World War I immigrant to the United States, had this to say about Hanukah:

“To tell you how we lit our candles on Hanukah in Trochenbrod, I can tell you as follows, and you will think it is funny. We took ordinary potatoes, cut them in half and made a small hole in each half, and put a little oil and piece of cotton, and then we lit it. The rich probably had candles, but the average person did not have candles and used potatoes instead. The tradition with handing out Hanukah gelt and playing with dreidels was the same as in this country. Also the tradition of making all kinds of latkes, especially raw potato latkes which were very popular. It was really a treat, and a lot of work supplying the latkes as everyone had good appetites and were not on diets."

We remember the life in Trochenbrod for the beauty and the bittersweet. For me, these stories are touchstones that keep Trochenbrod and our shared heritage alive, l'dor v'dor.

I wish you all a very Happy Hanukkah.

The photo for this post was taken in 2012 at the Lutsk Jewish Community Center.

16/09/2023

Dear Fellow Trochenbroders,
As we begin the Days of Awe and the start of 5784, thoughts turn to our ancestral town and the joy and awe of the New Year. I am also remembering our dear friend and leader Avrom Bendavid-Val who we lost in January. Creating our Trochenbrod community was a labor of love for Avrom, and the connections we enjoy are a result of his work and dedication over 25 years. I think of him often, and miss him dearly. May his memory be a blessing now and always.

As has become a yearly tradition, I will share below a loving memory that describes the High Holidays in Trochenbrod. It was written by David Schwartz in his book, My Townlet, as he reflected upon the Days of Awe. This story was shared in a family memoir edited by our fellow descendant, Doreen Schwartz Berne, titled Grandpa’s Story, Harry Schwartz 1900-1989. Doreen’s grandfather was David Schwartz, and Harry Schwartz was her father.

"As the High Holydays approached, a new and different spirit took over. No one needed an explanation of the meaning of Rosh Hashanah. At the midnight slichot service which began the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah and continued each day thereafter until the holiday, the men would get up before dawn to go to the shul to recite special prayers asking forgiveness for sins, and praying for health and parnosa, to make a living, which was everyone’s daily burden. When they opened the Ark for the special prayer of “Shema koleynu” (“Hear our voices”) – and the Cantor cried out – “Al tashlichenu l’es zikha” (“Forsake us not in our old age,”) there were many tears and lamentations from the congregation. Everyone was aware of the days of Repentance and Awe, as they prepared for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and Judgement.

"I doubt whether people of this generation can come close to the spiritual and emotional feelings evoked in the people of the shetl on the day of Yom Kippur. The people actually felt that they were standing before their Maker and they had mixed emotions of dread, fear and reverence. Everyone but the children fasted, and waited for the neilah service, the closing of the gates, and hoped the decision for him and his family would be a favorable one. With the sound of the shofar, the day was over and the people went home to break their fast, and to prepare for the coming happier holidays that followed."

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year. May you and your families be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.

L’Shana Tova,
Andrea

About the photo:
Interior of the Great Synagogue in Lutsk, circa 1930s.

Whether traveling through Lutsk on a longer journey or visiting family and friends, it seems likely that our Trochenbrod relatives would have had the occasion to visit this grand sanctuary with its majestic bimah and ornate ark. Imagine this beautiful synagogue filled with the voices of the congregation as they gathered for the High Holidays.

This photo is part of the digital photo collection at Yad Vashem, and is included in the Trochenbrod Archive Collection at the State Archives of the Volyn Region in Lutsk, Ukraine.

You can read more about the history of the Great Synagogue by clicking on the following links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Synagogue,_Lutsk

https://dbs.anumuseum.org.il/skn/en/c6/e23554663/אודות The_Great_Synagogue_of_Lutsk_Ukraine

06/04/2023

Dear Trochenbroders,

This is our first Passover since losing our leader and friend Avrom Bendavid-Val in January. It is because of Avrom and his love and fascination for our town that we are connected as a community. I will continue sharing his stories and news of Trochenbrod and our community as a way to honor and remember Avrom and all the work he did to keep Trochenbrod alive. May his memory be a blessing, now and always.

In what is becoming a yearly tradition for the first night of Pesach, I would like to share an excerpt from Avrom Bendavid-Val's book, The Heavens Are Empty that describes Passover preparations in Trochenbrod. Avrom quotes Shmilike Drossner, a pre-World War I immigrant to the United States:

“I want to explain how matzahs were baked in Trochenbrod. The people in Trochenbrod rented a house [in the town] for four weeks before Passover. Then they started to clean it thoroughly to make sure it was kosher. Then each family brought flour enough for their family and they hired girls and women to the work. One man took care of the oven, and when one family’s matzah supply was baked it was carried in a bag made of linen hung from a long post and was delivered that way. Then they started on someone else’s matzah, and so on, until they had baked enough for everybody. This isn’t as simple as it may seem. The water that was used in mixing the flour was brought in before it got dark, for the next day, and it was then put in a barrel. It was brought up from a well, one bucket at a time.

"You didn’t ask about the Passover wine, but I will tell you anyway. Everybody made their own wine of raisins.

"About the Passover horseradish and also potatoes, they were grown in our own backyard and we had enough to use all year and also to share with others that didn’t have any. They were of the finest quality, the best in our town.”

Avrom describes the importance of the Jewish holidays to life in Trochenbrod, “Everyone lived for the peaceful routine of the Sabbath, and the year was marked by the Jewish holidays. People gave the date of their birth as so many days or weeks before or after the nearest Jewish holiday.”

This way of counting time by the holidays is something that my grandmother carried with her from Trochenbrod, and Passover was the key reference point to her first days in America.

Her story of arriving at Ellis Island always began with “It was just before Pesach …” and continued with her describing how, filled with gratitude after arriving at her aunt and uncle's home in Brooklyn, she cleaned the house from top to bottom, including washing the floor on her hands and knees. The story was always told with a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face – the same twinkle that was there whenever she spoke of Trochenbrod.

With sweet memories of friendship, holidays in years past, and hope for the future, I wish you all a Chag Semeach.

Andrea

19/01/2023

Dear Trochenbroders,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news that we have lost our beloved friend and leader, Avrom Bendavid-Val.

Following is the note I received from Avrom's brother Marvin Bendavid:

It is my sad duty to inform the Trochenbrod community that my beloved brother Avrom passed away on January 2, 2023. As we all know, he single-handedly revived the memory of Trochenbrod and facilitated the creation of a Trochenbrod community.

I accompanied him on his first visit to Trochenbrod in 1997, and joined in three more trips since then. For Avrom, it was a labor of love that consumed the last 25 years of his life. I deeply miss him, as I am sure the entire Trochenbrod community will, as well. May his memory be a blessing.

With love,
Marvin Bendavid

My life was forever changed when I met Avrom in 2008 at the gathering at Sixth & I Synagogue in Washington, DC and I will miss him all my days.

The family and I are looking at ways to honor Avrom and the rich legacy he left us. I will be in touch again with a longer written tribute and will share plans as they develop.

May his memory be a blessing.

Andrea Liss

25/09/2022

Dear Fellow Trochenbroders,

As we begin the Days of Awe and the start of 5783, thoughts turn to our ancestral town and the joy and awe of the New Year.

Below is a loving memory that describes the High Holidays in Trochenbrod. It was written by David Schwartz in his book, My Townlet, as he reflected upon the Days of Awe. This story was shared in a family memoir edited by our fellow descendant, Doreen Schwartz Berne, titled Grandpa’s Story, Harry Schwartz 1900-1989. Doreen’s grandfather was David Schwartz, and Harry Schwartz was her father.

"As the High Holydays approached, a new and different spirit took over. No one needed an explanation of the meaning of Rosh Hashanah. At the midnight slichot service which began the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah and continued each day thereafter until the holiday, the men would get up before dawn to go to the shul to recite special prayers asking forgiveness for sins, and praying for health and parnosa, to make a living, which was everyone’s daily burden. When they opened the Ark for the special prayer of “Shema koleynu” (“Hear our voices”) – and the Cantor cried out – “Al tashlichenu l’es zikha” (“Forsake us not in our old age,”) there were many tears and lamentations from the congregation. Everyone was aware of the days of Repentance and Awe, as they prepared for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and Judgement.

"I doubt whether people of this generation can come close to the spiritual and emotional feelings evoked in the people of the shetl on the day of Yom Kippur. The people actually felt that they were standing before their Maker and they had mixed emotions of dread, fear and reverence. Everyone but the children fasted, and waited for the neilah service, the closing of the gates, and hoped the decision for him and his family would be a favorable one. With the sound of the shofar, the day was over and the people went home to break their fast, and to prepare for the coming happier holidays that followed."

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year. May you and your families be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life.

L’Shana Tova,
Andrea

About the photo: Interior of the Great Synagogue in Lutsk, circa 1930s.

Whether traveling through Lutsk on a longer journey or visiting family and friends, it seems likely that our Trochenbrod relatives would have had the occasion to visit this grand sanctuary with its majestic bimah and ornate ark. Imagine this beautiful synagogue filled with the voices of the congregation as they gathered for the High Holidays.

This photo is part of the digital photo collection at Yad Vashem, and is included in the Trochenbrod Archive Collection at the State Archives of the Volyn Region in Lutsk, Ukraine.

You can read more about the history of the Great Synagogue by clicking on the following links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Synagogue,_Lutsk
https://www.bh.org.il/the-great-synagogue-of-lutsk-ukraine/

15/04/2022

Dear Trochenbroders,

Chag Semeach and a Zissen Pesach! I hope you will be able to gather with loved ones in person this year and enjoy Seder together. During Seder we are asked to invite the stranger into our home, something that is especially poignant this year in Ukraine.

Some of you have reached out to me to ask how the Jewish Community is doing in Ukraine and I have updates to share.

In early February, shortly before the war started, I received an email from Sergyi Shvardovskyi, Director of the Jewish Community Center in Lutsk, Ukraine. He wanted to bring me up to date on their activities and see if we would be interested in getting involved in their current Trochenbrod-related projects.

Needless to say the focus in the last two months has changed but I want to share the projects with you, along with what I know about how they are navigating the war and how we might be of help to the Jewish community in Ukraine.

Trochenbrod Projects in Ukraine

Prior to the war, there were several exciting projects in the works. The first is that the Jewish Community Center in Lutsk has opened a small museum with exhibits about Trochenbrod. Given their close proximity to where our town lived, I find this a very exciting development – both for the local Jewish community there and also for generations of visitors in years to come who will be seeking information on their family roots. I hope to get some photos of the current exhibit from him so we can see what it looks like. Sergyi says they would appreciate receiving relics, stories, memories, and information to add to the museum’s collection.

Sergyi also said that they were planning to do a LIDAR (Light Detection And Radar) survey of the Trochenbrod territory in the spring. When they are able, the plan is to film the area from a drone in order to find the exact location of the mass graves using this new technology.

War in Ukraine

Sergyi says that thankfully it is relatively quiet in Lutsk, but there was a bombardment that took place on the first day of the war when a military airfield was bombed.

At the Jewish Community Center, they are helping the members of the community, and refugees from “hot” areas, regardless of nationality. They have opened their doors and are providing hot meals for refugees, and are purchasing medicine, warm clothes, and food for the defenders at the front. I asked him if we can send money to support him, and Sergyi said they will be happy to receive any help that we might offer.

Wire Transfer Information

For those of you who are interested, below is the banking information for the Jewish Community Center. You will be sending a Wire Transfer using the contact information listed below.

You can initiate a wire transfer in person at your bank, via online banking, or through a service like Western Union. In the case of your bank, the money will be transferred directly from your bank account to the recipient’s bank account. There is generally a small bank fee to send a wire transfer.

SWIFT NUMBER: COSBUAUKVOL

ACCOUNT NUMBER: UA493033980000026008301013637

RECIPIENT PHONE NUMBER: 380332723926

RECIPIENT:
Religious Hromada Progressive Judaism
6 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Street
Lutsk, Volyn Oblast, 43000
Ukraine

RECIPIENT BANK:
Joint Stock Company “State Savings Bank of Ukraine”
vul. Chervonogo Hresta, 8
Lutsk 43001
Ukraine

I tested this information by sending my own donation, and it arrived at the Jewish Community Center a week after sending it.

I have also been in contact with other local friends in Lutsk and the Volyn region who have long-standing relationships with Avrom and who helped with the trips he led there. They say they are holding on. Some have taken refuge in Poland while husbands and sons remain in Ukraine to fight. Others have stayed in Lutsk and its suburbs, where there have been some missile explosions.

I hold them all in my heart and prayers for their safety and peace. I will keep you posted on any further information.

L’Shalom,
Andrea

Trochenbrod

28/01/2025

23/04/2024

11/12/2023

16/09/2023

06/04/2023

19/01/2023

25/09/2022

15/04/2022

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