Fima’s Story

Fima’s Story, memoir partially edited by Mike Maidenberg (View PDF)

Yefim Rozenberg, whom all know as Fima, is the grandson of Malkeh Maidenberg, eldest of the seven children of Solomon and Perel. His mother was Frida Balaban, his father was David Rozenberg. (Because Fima has choosen to spell his last name with a “z”, this practice is followed. Others in the family go by “Rosenberg.”)

Fima’s detailed, heart-wrenching memoir provides a powerful insight into the lives of those in our family who did not emigrate to America or Canada, but who remained in Russia and the Soviet Union. They faced first the onslaught of the Nazi invasion, then the rebuilding of the country, then the privations (but also possibilities of the Soviet system.)

The memoir was written in Russian. It was translated into English in Odessa. Mike Maidenberg, second cousin of Fima, edited the first part of the memoir, and intends to edit the entire work. The facts have not been changed, only the wording and flow.

Map Showing Key Places Mentioned in this Memoir

PHOTO GALLERY

Rosita Katz, Fima's first wife, mother of Dima

Rosita was a graduate of both the Foreign Languages Institute and Musical College in Moscow. She was gregarious and witty. They married in 1964. Rosita died from botched medical treatment in 1967.

Fima and Rozita in 1964

He is 35, she is 25. She would die in 1967 because of poor medical treatment.

Mara Miltsman, Fima's second wife

Mara became Dima's second mother. She emigrated to America with Fima. She died in 1997.

Fima in 1948

He was a cadet at the Odessa Maritime Academy, where he encountered vicious anti-Semitism that denied him an opportunity to serve in the navy.

Fima in 2014

Hale at 85 years of age.

Fima, 1952

He is 23, and has already lived an extraordinary life.

Fima and his mother, Frida

The year is 1948.

Fima and Dina Landa, 2014

An elegant couple.