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Syla's good deeds during
Holocaust reap help from
current generation of Jews.
Joshua Berkman
Special to the Jewish News
Korostichev, Ukraine
o Syla, who once saved fel-
low Jews from slaughter in
the Ukraine during World
War II, Detroit's Jewish community
and its contributions to a vital eld-
erly services program are now a
lifeline.
Born in a small Ukrainian town
populated by merchants from
Germany, Syla learned to speak
German from neighbors. This was
rare among Jewish girls — so rare,
in fact, it would eventually save her
life and those of countless others.
In 1941, Hitler's army occupied
Ukraine. The Einsatzgruppen,
mobile Nazi killing squads, went
from town to town in Ukraine,.
Belarus and Lithuania, murdering
nearly every Jew they found.
Speaking German without any
trace of an accent, Syla managed to
convince the occupiers that she
and her three children were
T
2850 W. 11 Mile Roa
Berkley, MI 48072
wwvv.yadezra.or
Creating pleasant days
Alzheimer's Care at THE FOUNTAINS
T
offers Alzheimer's care
that supports the body, mind and spirit
through dignity, choice and individuality.
Through an activity-based program in a
specially designed setting called The Gardens,
our residents' enjoy pet and music therapy,
excursions, exercise, and multi-sensory experi-
ences to help with memory enhancement.
HE FOUNTAINS
German. So the Nazis gave her
amnesty, and she routinely opened
her home to Einsatzgruppen offi-
cers passing through.
Syla turned her small house —
she lived with her ailing mother
and three children — into a de-
facto Nazi pub. Ever the hostess,
she served food and beer. She also
paid close attention when the
Nazis got drunk and boasted about
the massacres they were planning.
The information Syla gathered
became the basis of a crude but
effective warning system for Jews
in neighboring shtetls. Through
her two sons, who made regular
rounds at night, Syla delivered
bags of salt to the doorsteps of
Jews targeted for slaughter. Upon
seeing the salt, the Jewish neighbor
or friend knew he and his family
had less than 24 hours to flee east-
ward.
Its impossible to know how-
many Jewish people Syla saved and
how many young people today owe
their lives to her. But we do know
that this woman, a Yiddishe
,
Our caring staff creates a nurturing environ-
ment and provides individualized support
that is calming and comfortable so our
residents can experience pleasant days.
THE FOUNTAINS is more than just a leader
in care, we're also a leader in caring.
Call THE FOUNTAINS AT FRANKLIN at
(248) 353-2810 to find out more about
our Alzheimer's care.
The Fountains at Franklin wishes you and your family Happy Holidays.
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AT FRANKLIN
A SORCSE SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
111
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28301 Franklin Road • Southfield, MI 48034 • (248) 353-2810
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December 1 • 2005