Riva Pizman

This is me, Riva Pizman, on my birthday. I've turned 45. My older son Igor photographed me for the family album. This photo was taken in Mogilyov-Podolskiy in 1974.

My husband returned from the army in 1955. How I waited for him! All those who had been recruited at the same time as him, returned, but Aron was not coming home. He returned in November. He had changed and matured. He was quite a boy, when he went to the army, but he returned a man. My son didn’t recognize him at once. When he returned, Aron went to work at the plant named after Kirov in Mogilyov-Podolskiy manufacturing equipment for food industry where he worked 46 years, starting as a laborer, then he became a tinsmith and then a mechanic. In 1960 the plat sent him to study at the plant instrument technical school in Moscow, the extramural department. In 1961 our second son Mikhail named after my deceased brother was born. My husband had no time to help me and I actually raised our sons alone till he finished his studies. I was patient and never reproached him for spending so little time with us. After he finished his studies Aron went to work at the design office. He was valued for his good performance. Aron even has few inventions. Aron could finally spend more time with me and the children. He made a very good husband and father.

We didn't observe Jewish traditions, but we celebrated Soviet holidays at home: 1 May, 7 November, Soviet army Day, Victory Day, 8 March [Women's Day], New Year. We also celebrated birthdays: we had guests and made presents.

In the 1970s the Jewish massive departure to Israel began. Our friends and acquaintances were leaving. We did not judge those who decided to leave - if people decided to leave, one should not interfere with their decision, but we did not consider departure from the USSR. My husband and I did not want to look for a fortune in a foreign country. We were used to living here. We had friends, acquaintances here, people respected us and we didn't have any conflicts - so why got elsewhere? The plant where my husband was working built a plant for is employees and we received a nice 2-bedroom apartment in this house. We were content with the life we had.