20 | NOVEMBER 14 • 2024 
J
N

L

ife in the former Soviet Union 
was no easy feat for its Jewish 
citizens.
Tsila Pleasant (Vinik), 
employment specialist at Gesher 
Human Services, recalls rampant 
antisemitism growing up in 
Moldova, a former Soviet republic. 
By the time she was ready to attend 
college, the antisemitism had 
reached levels her family could no 
longer tolerate.
In 1973, the Vinik family made 
aliyah to Israel. Like many other 
Soviet Jews, they sought a better 
life where they could practice 
their religion freely and have equal 
opportunities for their children. 
Pleasant spent 11 months in Israel, 
one of which included the Yom 
Kippur War.

Then, two months before 
Pleasant’s 20th birthday, the Viniks 
emigrated to the United States.
Holocaust survivors Chaim 
and Manya Vinik, and their four 
children settled in Oak Park in 
1974, which served as the hub at the 
time for Soviet Jewish refugees.
Pleasant, who soon became a 
young mother, began working at 
a local drugstore as a pharmacy 
assistant. Her English was limited, 
and like most Soviet Jewish 
immigrants, she faced the daunting 
task of starting over in a world that 
was completely unfamiliar and new.
Yet, one day, a chance encounter 
set forth a trajectory that would lead 
her down a rewarding and impactful 
career path that Pleasant continues 
to build upon today.

HELPING FELLOW REFUGEES
In 1978, former Jewish Family 
Service executive director Samuel 
Lerner came to the pharmacy to fill 
a prescription. It was a time when 
helping Soviet Jewish refugees was 
a priority for JFS, so he was familiar 
with Pleasant’s story. “You should 
come work with us,” he said.
Pleasant was unsure. She didn’t 
have the skills, she replied, and she 
also had a toddler. However, she 
spoke four languages — Russian, 
Yiddish, Hebrew and was learning 
English — and JFS believed she 
would be an excellent addition to 
their new resettlement department.
Finally, after much conversation, 
Pleasant accepted an interview and 
was offered a job in 1979.
“They opened the door for me,” 

she recalls.
Pleasant worked with Jewish 
Family Service, primarily assisting 
Soviet Jewish refugees, from 1979 to 
1981. Then, the first wave of Soviet 
Jewish immigration stalled during 
the Reagan administration, and 
she began to look for other ways to 
continue helping families in need.

When a new job opportunity 
arose at Jewish Vocational Services, 
which provided workforce training 
and refugee services, Pleasant felt it 
was the perfect fit for her skills and 
interests.

In 1989, she began work at JVS 
as a refugee employment specialist. 
Many years later, in 2022, JVS and 
Kadima would merge into Gesher 
Human Services, where Pleasant 
continues to work today. Now, her 
title has changed to employment 
specialist to support anyone in need.
After 35 years in her current role, 
Pleasant is a critical member of the 
Jewish community and beyond. 
She’s worked tirelessly to help both 
Jewish and non-Jewish families, 
including generations of families, 
achieve financial independence and 
access vital resources.
It’s a story not unlike her own. 
Thanks to the help of Jewish 
organizations that supported 
Soviet Jewish immigrants and 
her unwavering commitment to 
provide her family with a better life, 
Pleasant’s children were able to grow 
up with the religious freedom she 
didn’t have as a child. 
“Growing up, there was an 
expectation that you’re here for 
a better life, so use it,” Rachael 
Pleasant, Tsila’s younger daughter, 
recalls. “Our grandparents are 
Holocaust survivors; our mother 
is an immigrant, and my sister and 
I were able to live a very full life 
[because of their sacrifices].”

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Throughout her more than four 

A Life of Empowering Others

Soviet Jewish immigrant Tsila Pleasant celebrates 35 years 
at Gesher Human Services.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

FAR LEFT: Rick Jones, daughter Erika 
Jones, Tsila Pleasant, daughter Rachael 
Pleasant and Phil Rosentraub. Front: 
Samantha with Ozzie. 
LEFT: Tsila and her parents, Manya and 
Chaim Vinik, in Moldova

