Enna Aptekar, her daughter Svetlana and son-in-law Igor Benyumov holding his older son Vladislav

Enna Aptekar, her daughter Svetlana and son-in-law Igor Benyumov holding his older son Vladislav

My son-in-law Igor Benyumov holding his older son Vladislav, my wife Enna, my daughter Svetlana. This photo was taken on a dacha of our friends in Kiev in 1977.

In 1950 I went to work at the 'Kist' company ['hand' in Russian] as a founder. There were good earnings and bonuses in the shop. Latter our shop was converted into a small plant. A short while later I went to work at the photo goods factory where I worked 42 years. I started working with plastic and in due time I became a caster. I worked decently. My colleagues treated me with respect.

I got married in 1951. Our only daughter Svetlana was born in December 1952. We celebrated Soviet holidays at home: 1 May , 7 November [October revolution Day], Soviet army Day, New Year. Of course, my favorite holidays is Victory Day. If our army had not chased away the enemy from the USSR and other European countries the fascist black death would have spread all over the world. I had ambiguous feelings on this day. I was happy to have survived, of course, and have a family, have my daughter growing and then grandchildren, but there was always sadness and sorrow about those who became victims of this horrible war: my dear ones, friends and comrades. I always remember them. One cannot forget this.

In the 1970s Jewish mass emigration to Israel began. My friends and acquaintances also left the country at that time. I sympathized with those, who decided to leave their home: everybody has the right to choose a place to live.As for me, I was not considering leaving my home. I grew up here, I fought for this country and my dear ones were buried here. I thought that my place is here and my wife shared my opinion.

After finishing school my daughter Svetlana studied in Kiev Industrial high school. After finishing it she worked as a rate setter at a plant and later she became an economist. Later she went to work as an economist at the district trade department.  In August 1975 Svetlana married Igor Benyumov, a nice Jewish guy. Igor was born in Kiev in 1951. He finished a college and worked as an engineer. They had a secular wedding. Traditional Jewish weddings were very rare at that time. My older grandson Vladislav was born in 1977, and Mikhail, the younger one, was born in 1985.

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