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`Dosvidanyar

Russian couple, 75, bid Detroit
a fond farewell to begin
a new life in Israel.

Lev Lemberg videotapes his friend Chaim Rozental.

Miriam Lemberg and Rosa
Pastolsky dance one last time
before Miriam leaves for Israel.

Miriamand Lev Lemberg are given a farewell toast by
Rabbi Yosef Misholovin of FREE.

A

fter 61 years in the Soviet Union and 14 more in the United
States, 75-year-old Lev" andMiriam Lemberg packed their
bags and picked up stakes to begin all over again — in Israel.

On Monday, the Lembergs joined their daughter Berta, her husband
and two grandsons in Ramat Hasharon, near Tel Aviv. But the previous
Wednesday, Sept. 10, was the time to say goodbye to their dear friends in
the Detroit Russian community whose lives they've shared for the past
decade-and-a-half.
The going-away party was held in the club room of McDonnell
Towers senior residence in Southfield, where the Lembergs lived. It was
arranged by the Southfield-based branch of the outreach group, Friends
of Refugees of Eastern Europe (FREE).
At the party, Lev videotaped everyone there — for future viewing and
reminiscing when in Israel. But mostly, it was a time for the Lembergs to
receive toasts, tributes and heartfelt thanks from their circle of friends.
Arkadiy Ongeyberg, president of the Russian Veterans from World
War II of Michigan, expressed his appreciation to Miriam for her many
years of service to the community. "Miriam was an activist," he said.
"She raised thousands of dollars among her friends to send to Israel.
Whenever there was a social event, Miriam headed the arrangements
committee.
"They will be sorely missed."
Rabbi Yosef Misholovin, director of FREE, addressed the assembly and
presented Lev and Miriam with a book of Psalms. He then sounded the
shofar, as is customary during the month of Elul."
There will be many adjustments for the couple in making aliyah. For
one, the Lembergs have left their dishes here. Their daughter is Torah-
observant and the Lembergs will purchase new dishes and maintain a
kosher home in Israel.
When Miriam was asked if she were afraid to move to Israel in this
time of terrorism, she only laughed and said, "I'm not worried — when I
come there, there will be peace.
"With soldiers like my two grandsons, there will certainly be victory
for Israel. All Jews belong in Israel." fil

Russian World War II veteran Arkadiy
Ongeyberg gives the couple a tribute.

Friend Gita Barash and her son
Yury. present Miriam Lemberg
with a farewell bouquet.

Eda Kergner and Rosa Pastolsky listen to their friend Miriam Lemberg.

9/19
2003

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