My great grandfather on my father’s side had come to America when he was about 27. He was a Jewish man by the name of David and had lived and grew up in Poland. He had learned to live in his home country which at the time had been ridden with anti-semetism. David had Married a Jewish woman and soon after was drafted into the army. In his time, it was no decision. Either you cooperated and joined, or you were faced with criminal charges and worse if you were a Jew. David would not take the risk of dying with his now expecting wife, so he made a decision that would change his and her lives forever. David would soon escape his home country and journey to America. He packed very little, and had kept a small metal menorah which had been past down from his parents. David escaped prosecution and was now living a free life in America. He would soon become a shoe maker and eventually could afford to send his wife and now child to America to come and live with him. My father now has the same metal and now rusty menorah, which is used every Hanukkah not only in celebration of the holiday, but also my great grandfather.

– Solomon Yentis

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more