Amerieirm 'elvish Periodical Carter

CLIFTON AVENUE - CINCINNATI 20, OHIO

Detroit Jewish Chronicle

it

VOL. 45, NO. 16

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and The Legal Chronicle

SECTION TWO

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1943

10c Single Copy: $3.00 Per Year

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THE EVE OF PASSOVER IN KOVNO

By H. SHAFER

Editor's Note: Memories of Passover in Kovno, Lithuania

* 411

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It was on a Friday morning, topic of conversation everywhere.
The "Erev Pesach" season of men was frozen solid. The float- ten (lays before Passover, when I, On Sabbath afternoon a group of
with many others, saw him pass- men in the Bes Hamidrash dis-
Kovno, like in the rest of Lithu- ing bridge was dismantled before
in g by, gold-headed cane in hand,
ania, began four weeks before the Nieman "stod,"
ppe
a nd aln his way to the bery. He cussed the recent tragedy; and
Pesach, that is immediately after traffic between Kov
the older men related similar in-
no and Ala-l al attracted
attention. Shorc-
Purim, when the discomfiture of shot was carried on over the ly after, there was a loud crash, cidents from their own experi-
the arch-enemy Haman is cele- solid mass of ice covered with followed by many more. Then a ence.
bract'.
An interested listener was Reb
snow. Early in the spring travel continuous roar, like that of a
Passover, on the other hand, is became dangerous and has to be hundred lions.
Pesach, the old Shammes. Not
There
was
no
a symbol of Liberty, a celebration discontinued. This always occur- mystery about it.
even the oldest men remembered
Everybody
of the final triumphs of justice
the time when he had become
red
between
Purim
and
Passover,
know
the
ice
on
the
Nieman
had
over tyranny.
when the people on both sides of broken, or, as we termed it: "The Shammes. He was often referred
Passover is so highly regarded the river could least afford the Niemen was going." This event to as "The everlasting Pesach."
that much time is devoted to de- interruption. This inconvenience brought joy to some and fear to He moved closer to the group.
voted to preparing for it, more was only part of the damage done others. It was a sure sign of "Did you want to say something,
than for all the other holidays. by the Niemen, for when the ice Spring. The atmosphere became Reb Pesach?" someone asked.
Perhaps the hard work before broke and the river overflowed, even more "Erev Pesachdig," and
"I will tell you," he said,
Pesach is meant to symbolize the the flood water and blocks of ice what was most important, mer- "about a miracle that happened
slavery of out ancestors before often caused considerable prop- chant ships would,isoon come and one Erev Pesach when I was a
the deliverance.
erty damage and sometimes loss go, giving employment and im- boy. It was in the year Taknach
To the people of Kovno, the of life.
proving business. On the other (corresponding to the year 1798).
Niemen was an additional cause
Something happened every year hand, there were many who had The winter was a very long and
of anxiety during the weeks be- when the river overflowed. In relatives living or working close an extremely hard one. Three
fore Pesach. This gentle river, the course of years, many un- by the river, or, whose business days before Pesach everything
so placid at other times, would usual incidents happened for was on the other side, who might was still covered with snow. The
choose at this season, the busiest which the Niemen was responsible. have been trapped while crossing. Niemen was solidly frozen. Peo-
of the entire year, to go on a There are, however, two out- By the time Leibetzke reached ple on foot and loaded wagons
rampage.
standing occurrences which, I be- the brewery, the Nieman was in traveled across it as in the mid-
dle of winter.
Throughout the winter the Nie- lieve, deserve to be recorded. full swing. He joined a small
"The following day was cloudy
One of these happened in 1875. gathering of men, to watch the
Leibetzke Rabinowitz was a magnificent and terrifying spec- but not cold. In the afternoon
very prominent and highly re _ tilde. The noise was deafening. rain began to fall, which con-
Sincerest Passover Greetings
spected member in our commu- Countless blocks of ice of enor- tinued through the night. The
nity. Those who are familiar mous size and weight were rush- following morning, Erev Pesach,
with Yiddish will realize the ex- ing, crushing, chasing one an- the sun was bright and warm, and
tent of the esteem in which he other like mad demons. A mo- no trace • was left of snow.
was held, from the affectionate mentary jam would cause the for-
"The Niemen looked bare with
11745 TWELFTH ST.
form his first name had taken. nation of scores of mountains of the snow melted away, but seemed
TOWNSEND 8-9400
The name "Leib" is extended to ice. Blocks of ice were pushed solid enough. It being Erev Yom
"Leibele" or "Leibetzke" only up on top of others by the on- Tov, there was more traffic across
when the bearer of it merits the rushing ice from behind, only to the river than on other days:
Late in the afternoon when every-
highest respect. Leibetzke Rab- fall apart with a great noise.
A Sambatyon in action.
body was hurrying home, the
inowitz was blessed with all the
Sincere Season's Greetings
No living thing could survive , usual path facing Alekshot was
finer qualities which make a per-
crowded with people coming and
son beloved of all who know him. in it for even a moment.
The attention of the little group going.
He was learned, kind hearted, and
charitable; was a dignified person was attracted to some ice-blocks
"Suddenly there was a loud
of middle age, and lived in the being pushed up the hillside. The report, followed by a succession
most beautiful house in the dis- foremost block crept up to with- of explosions. The great mass of
trict—truly a fine "Balebos." In in a . few feet of them. They ice trembled and seemed to sink
MADISON 8560
business, he was a half owner of saw Leibetzke raise his cane and under foot. Water appeared on
the famous beer brewery known touch the ice. What happened the surface.
It all happened
Alterations — Repairs
as Engleman and Rabinowitz. after that, no one present was simultaneously. The Nieman al-
Prompt Pick-Up and Delivery
The brewery, close to the Niemen, able to tell. It all happened so ways acted that way, treacher-
was located on high ground, so quickly that, although they all ously, without warning. No one
8638 WOODWARD AVE.
that the flood waters or the ice stood within a couple of feet, no was ever saved from the Nieman
MORRIS GRIBOW
blocks never reached any of the one saw. And it remained a mys- when it went mad. Everyone in
ry they
What did see was— the crowd now trapped knew it.
te.
buildings.
the place where Leibetzke had They were terror-stricken, dazed.
stood only a brief moment before In their fright they all stopped
was empty—he disappeared to- short, rooted to the spot. Then,
gether with the ice-block from out of the stillness there arose a
the hillside.
spontaneous, agonizing, soul-rend-
The spectators were horrified ing cry from a thousand throats
as they began to realize that a at once, the Jewish cry of faith
terrible tragedy had just taken in distress: 'Shema Yisroel . .
place and yet, they could not be- Then all was still again.
lieve that what they feared had
"Minutes passed; they seemed
really happened. Then as if to like years. Nothing happened; the
convince or to mock them a sub-
RAndolph 4300
merged ice-block rose to the sur-
face, and on top of it, a hat-
Sport ing Goods - Housewares - Gas Ranges - Refrigerators
Leibetzke's silk hat. No trace
of him was ever found.
Electric Kitchens - Hardware - Tools F5 Paints
Leibetzke's death became the

"At the Seder service that
night, inn a thousand homes, where
God was praised for the miracles
He performed for our ancestors
in Egypt, many tears were shed,
tears of joy and thanksgiving to
the Almighty, for having pre-
revved them to sit with their
families at the Seder table."

MAKE THIS A JOYOUS
PESACH BY DRINKING

WOLVERINE
SELTZER

KOSHER FOR PASSOVER

WOLVERINE
BEVERAGES

NOT Kosher for Passover

CADILLAC
STORAGE CO.

11

• Sun-Maid Orange

• Bull Dog Ginger Ale

• Wolverine Ginger Ale

They're Pure, Wholesome
and Delicious,

0. K. CLEANERS
& DYERS

Phone PLaza 7790

Or at Your Dealers

GINGER ALE CO.

Season's Greeting and Best Wishes

3601 E. Hancock

To help our boys — Everyone
MUST buy MORE War Bonds
and Stamps every pay day.

Passover

.1
k

t

ice did not break. Slowly the
crowd started moving. In a short
time the Niemen was left bare.
All were safe on shore. An hour
later the great mass of ice broke
into thousands of blocks, large
and small, all in a mad rush, a
Sambatyon in action.

Passover Greetings to All

GREETINGS

TURNER BROOKS, Inc.

To Our Many

FLOOR COVERING
CONTRACTORS

Friends and

Customers

on the

Carpets
Rugs
Linoleum

TOWNSEND 8-2470

Occasion of

Greetings

Upon This Occasion We Take This

Opportunity to Extend Our Best

Wishes to the Enitre Jewish

PASSOVER

Community for a Joyous

A Joyous PESACH TO ALL

Holiday!

Custom

* * *

Upholstering 8

Furniture Co.

DRAPERIES

SLIP COVERS

REFINISHING

8775 GRAND RIVER AVE.

TYler 6-9679

KERN'S

WOODWARD AT GRATIOT

