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Batia nee Friedman Koblantz

Batia (nee Friedman) Koblentz i Pitia M , Eretz Israel

Picture taken in 2- 25 - 1935, before Batia nee Friedman and Dov ? left for Palestine

In 2001 I called Batia nee Friedman Koblantz in Kibbutz Yagur, Israel . Batia nee Friedman was born in 1913 in Birzai, to Asna nee Even and Leibe Friedman.
Batias' mother; Asna [nee Even] Friedman was a first cousin of my Great grandmother; Asna [nee Kriger] Chait. Their mothers; Rachel ( aka Briena Malka) and Gitel, born c 1850, were sisters, we do not Know the last name of their father.
Batia told me that her mother was the youngest of five;
1. There was a sister; Sara nee Even Luria ( born c 1870) . She lived with her husband; Eliezer Loria, in Birzai. They had children; Moshe (born c 1900) , Rachel, and Guta.
Sara perished in Birzai with her family (see testimony).
2. A brother Bero (Dov) Even left for South Africa c 1900. He was only 16 years old when he left and for a long time did not keep in touch with the family. later on, relation were established. Batias' sister and brother visited the family in South Africa.
Today his son; "Mush" Even lives in Israel.
3. A sister, Simcha nee Even Kurman lived in Latvia with her family; the family perished, other then one of her daughters ; Rachel Safra, who is the mother of Lea Giladi of Hertzlia. I talked with Lea who told me that my Great grandparents were the 'Shadchanim" of her parents. Her father ( Moshe Safra of Vilna, who died just a few years ago, at age 95) was a Zionist. he  insisted on making "Aliyah". Her mother was a pharmacist and had hard time in Palestine. One brother wanted to make Aliyah but the sister ( Rachel Safra) said to wait.They all perished,here is Rachel ' testimony;
Simcha nee Evin Curman was born in Birzai, Lithuania in 1876 to Yisrael and Breina Malka ( Rachel). She was married to Menakhem Mendel. Prior to WWII she lived in Bauska, Latvia. During the war was in Bauska, Latvia. Simcha died in the Shoah. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 04/07/1978 by her daughter, Rachel Safra, and her husband Moshe.

4. Benyamin Even who was the second youngest, lived in Linkova. He died at a very young age, long before the war. Batia remembers that his son came for a visit at their home in Birzai, when she was a child. the son was much younger then her. Batia does not know if the family perished. ( I talked with Simon; CivjanSIM@aol.com from Linkova He left Linkova in 1940.
He told me about our family (second cousin); Batia Koblantz. It was the family of the brother of Asne (Batia's mother) and they lived in Linkova.The brother's wife was Shprintza and the son was Israel Even. He told me that his family rented a home from them. he said that Israel was about 29 in 1940. He said that Israel was an hypochondriac. He was not married in 1940. He thinks that the family perished in 1941)

Batia was a Zionist and a member of "Hachalutz" and came to Kibbutz Yagur in 1935.
Batia has three children; Ester, Asnat and Yizhak. Batia has Seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Her oldest great granddaughter is fifteen! some live near her in Kibbutz Yagur.
Batia had a brother; Yonatan Friedman. He came to Israel in 1936 and lived in Haifa.He had a daughter; Asnat who now lives with her family in London.
Batia had another brother; Israel Friedman . Israel was able to escape from Vilna where he lived when the war arrived to Lithuania in 1941. He lived in Siberia during the war and came to Israel in 1954. He had one daughter; Ester nee Friedman Noter who now lives with her family in Tel Aviv.
Batia had a sister; Chana Kier. Chana married an American man who came to visit his family in Birzai some years before the war. They lived in the U. S and Israel with their sons; Yitzhak (Jeffry) and Lesley (Leibe).
Yitzhak Keir was a pilot in the Israeli Army and at one time was a P.O.W in Egypt. He is a father of five and now lives in New York State. His brother lives in Vermont.
Batias' oldest sister; Sara nee Friedman Loria perished with her family and with her parents; Asna nee Even and Leibe Fridman in Birzai.

Testimony to Yad Vashem given by  Batia (nee FRIEDMAN) KOBLENTZ of Yagur;
Asne Friedman nee Even was born in Birzai, Lithuania in 1880 to Israel and Rachel Even. She was a shop owner and married to Leib Friedman. Prior to WWII she lived in Birzai, Lithuania. During the war was in Birzai, Lithuania. Asne died in 1941 in Birzai, Lithuania at the age of 61. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted by her daughter
Source Pages of Testimony
Last Name FRIEDMAN
Last Name FRIDMAN
First Name ASNE
First Name* ASNAT
Maiden Name EVEN
Father's First Name ISRAEL
Father's First Name YISRAEL
Mother's First Name RACHEL
Mother's First Name RAKHEL
Gender FEMALE
Date of Birth 1880
Age 61
Place of Birth BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Marital Status MARRIED
Spouse's First Name LEIB
Place of Permanent Residence BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Profession SHOP OWNER
Place During Wartime BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Place of Death BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Date of Death 1941
Type of Material Page of Testimony
Submitter's Last Name KOBLENTZ
Submitter's First Name BATIA
Relationship to victim DAUGHTER
Leib Friedman was born in Pumpian, Lithuania in 1878 to Yekhezkel and Chana. He was a shop owner and married to Asne. Prior to WWII he lived in Birzai, Lithuania. During the war was in Birzai, Lithuania. Leib died in 1941 in Birzai, Lithuania at the age of 61. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted by his daughter; Batia KOBLENTZ of kibutz Yagur
Source Pages of Testimony
Last Name FRIEDMAN
Last Name FRIDMAN
First Name LEIB
Father's First Name YEKHEZKEL
Mother's First Name CHANA
Mother's First Name KHANA
Gender MALE
Date of Birth 1878
Age 61
Place of Birth PUMPIAN,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Marital Status MARRIED
Spouse's First Name ASNE
Spouse's First Name* AVNER
Place of Permanent Residence BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Profession SHOP OWNER
Place During Wartime BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Place of Death BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Date of Death 1941
Type of Material Page of Testimony
Submitter's Last Name KOBLENTZ
Submitter's First Name BATIA
Yehuda Fridman was born in Pumpenai, Lithuania to Yekhezkel and Khana. He was married. Prior to WWII he lived in Birzai, Lithuania. Yehuda died in 1941 in Birzai, Lithuania at the age of 60. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/04/1999 by Batia Koblentz
Source Pages of Testimony
Last Name FRIDMAN
First Name YEHUDA
First Name LEIB
Father's First Name YEKHEZKEL
Mother's First Name KHANA
Gender MALE
Age 60
Place of Birth PUMPENAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Marital Status MARRIED
Spouse's First Name* ASNAT
Spouse's Maiden Name EVEN
Place of Permanent Residence BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Place of Death BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Date of Death 07/1941
Type of Material Page of Testimony
Submitter's Last Name KOBLENTZ
Submitter's Last Name FRIDMAN
Submitter's First Name BATIA
Date of Registration 14/04/1999
Is the Submitter a Survivor? NO
Rachel Westerman nee Friedman was born in Birzai, Lithuania in 1905 to Leib and Asne Even. She was a clerk and married to Boris. Prior to WWII she lived in Birzai, Lithuania. During the war was in Birzai, Lithuania. Rachel died in 1941 in Birzai, Lithuania at the age of 36. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted by her sister
Source Pages of Testimony
Last Name WESTERMAN
Last Name VESTERMAN
First Name RACHEL
First Name RAKHEL
Maiden Name FRIEDMAN
Maiden Name FRIDMAN
Father's First Name LEIB
Mother's First Name ASNE
Mother's First Name* ASNAT
Mother's Maiden Name EVEN
Gender FEMALE
Date of Birth 1905
Age 36
Place of Birth BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Marital Status MARRIED
Spouse's First Name BORIS
Place of Permanent Residence BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Profession CLERK
Place During Wartime BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Place of Death BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Date of Death 1941
Type of Material Page of Testimony
Submitter's Last Name KOBLENTZ
Submitter's First Name BATIA
Relationship to victim SISTER
Westerman was born in Birzai, Lithuania in 1935 to Boris and Rachel Friedman. He was a child. Prior to WWII he lived in Birzai, Lithuania. During the war was in Birzai, Lithuania. Beniamin died in 1941 in Birzai, Lithuania at the age of 6. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted by his aunt
Pages of Testimony
Last Name WESTERMAN
Last Name VESTERMAN
First Name BENIAMIN
Father's First Name BORIS
Mother's First Name RACHEL
Mother's First Name RAKHEL
Mother's Maiden Name FRIEDMAN
Mother's Maiden Name FRIDMAN
Gender MALE
Date of Birth 1935
Age 6
Place of Birth BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Marital Status CHILD
Place of Permanent Residence BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Place During Wartime BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Place of Death BIRZAI,BIRZAI,LITHUANIA
Date of Death 1941
Type of Material Page of Testimony
Submitter's Last Name KOBLENTZ
Submitter's First Name BATIA sister of his mother.
Boris Westerman was born in Janischki, Lithuania in 1902. He was a merchant and married to Rachel. Prior to WWII he lived in Birzai, Lithuania. During the war was in Birzai, Lithuania. Boris died in 1941 in Birzai, Lithuania at the age of 39. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted by his sister-in-law Batia
Testimony by Rachel Safra; 
Sara Luria ( nee Even) was born in Birze, Lithuania in 1874 to Yisrael Zadok and Breina. She was married to Eliezer. Prior to WWII she lived in Birze, Lithuania. During the war was in Birze, Lithuania. Sara died in Birze, Lithuania. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her niece
 Luria Liza
  Liza Luria was born in Birzai, Lithuania in 1907. She was married to Moshe. Prior to WWII she lived in Birzai, Lithuania. During the war was in Birzai, Lithuania. Liza died in Birzai, Lithuania. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her cousin.  
 Luria Mosze
  Mosze Luria was born in Birzai, Lithuania in 1900 to Eliezer and Sara. He was an engineer and married to Lina nee Hendler. Prior to WWII he lived in Birzai, Lithuania. During the war was in Birzai, Lithuania. Mosze died in Birzai, Lithuania. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by his cousin
Luria Guta
  Guta Luria was born in Birzai, Lithuania in 1909 to Eliezer and Sara. She was a painter (artist) and married. Prior to WWII she lived in Birzai, Lithuania. During the war was in Birzai, Lithuania. Guta died in Birzai, Lithuania. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her cousin
 Kirschen Rachel
  Rachel Kirschen was born in Birzai, Lithuania in 1900 to Eliezer and Sara. She was married to David. Prior to WWII she lived in Birzai, Lithuania. During the war was in Birzai, Lithuania. Rachel died in Birzai, Lithuania. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her cousin.  More Details...   
 
Korman Lova
� Lova Korman was born in Bauska, Latvia in 1898 to Yitzkhak. She was married to Moshe. Prior to WWII she lived in Bauska, Latvia. During the war was in Bauska, Latvia. Lova died in Bauska, Latvia. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her sister-in-law
 

Source      Pages of Testimony
Last Name      KORMAN
First Name      LOVA
Father's First Name      YITZKHAK
Gender      FEMALE
Date of Birth      1898
Place of Birth      BAUSKA,BAUSKAS,ZEMGALE,LATVIA
Marital Status      MARRIED
Spouse's First Name      MOSHE
Place of Permanent Residence      BAUSKA,BAUSKAS,ZEMGALE,LATVIA
Place During Wartime      BAUSKA,BAUSKAS,ZEMGALE,LATVIA
Place of Death      BAUSKA,BAUSKAS,ZEMGALE,LATVIA
Type of Material      Page of Testimony
Submitter's Last Name      SAFRA
Submitter's First Name      RAKHEL
Relationship to victim      SISTER-IN-LAW
Date of Registration      14/06/1957
  Veksler* Sara
  Sara Tzvia Veksler nee Korman was born in Skaistkalnes, Latvia in 1901 to Menakhem and Simkha nee Even. She was married to Asher. Prior to WWII she lived in Bauska, Latvia. During the war was in Bauska, Latvia. Sara died in the Shoah. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 04/07/1978 by her sister Rachel Safra
Mendel Veksler was born in Bauska, Latvia in 1931 to Asher and Sara. Prior to WWII he lived in Bauska, Latvia. During the war was in Bauska, Latvia. Mendel died in the Shoah. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 04/07/1978 by his aunt
Veksler* Beniamin
  Beniamin Veksler was born in Bauska, Latvia in 1934 to Asher and Sara. He was single. Prior to WWII he lived in Bauska, Latvia. During the war was in Bauska, Latvia. Beniamin died in the Shoah. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 04/07/1978 by his relative. ...  
 Szmuklarski Szmuel
  Szmuel Szmuklarski was born in Jewje, Poland in 1862 to Dov and Ester. He was a merchant and married. Prior to WWII he lived in Jewje, Poland. During the war was in Jewje, Poland. Szmuel died in Jewje, Poland. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by his nephew Moshe Safra( son of his sister)
 Korman Moshe Melech
  Moshe Korman was born in Skaistkalnes, Latvia in 1895 to Menakhem and Simkha. He was married to Eta. Prior to WWII he lived in Bauska, Latvia. During the war was in Bauska, Latvia. Moshe died in the Shoah. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 09/07/1978 by his sister
.  More Details...  
 Korman Cypa
  Cypa Korman was born in Busk, Poland in 1864. She was married to Feibel Chaim Korman. Prior to WWII she lived in Busk, Poland. During the war was in Busk, Poland. Cypa died in Busk, Poland. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her cousin
 Korman Mosze
  Mosze Korman was born in Baski, Russia in 1895 to Mendel and Simkha. He was a merchant and married to Lova. Prior to WWII he lived in Baski, Russia. During the war was in Baski, Russia. Mosze died in Baski, Russia. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by his sister
 
Cukier Cypora
  Cypora Cukier was born in Wilna, Poland in 1917 to Leib and Khaia. She was single. Prior to WWII she lived in Wilna, Poland. During the war was in Wilna, Poland. Cypora died in Wilna, Poland. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her cousin.  ...  
 Krelitz Szaul
  Szaul Krelitz was born in Riga, Latvia in 1896. He was a merchant. Prior to WWII he lived in Riga, Latvia. During the war was in Riga, Latvia. Szaul died in Riga, Latvia with his son; Feibl age 17. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/07/1957 by his cousin.   
  
  Cukier Cypora
  Cypora Cukier was born in Wilna, Poland in 1917 to Leib and Khaia. She was single. Prior to WWII she lived in Wilna, Poland. During the war was in Wilna, Poland. Cypora died in Wilna, Poland. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her cousin.  More Details
 Krelitz Masza
  Masza Krelitz was born in Busk, in 1896 to Feibel and Zipa. She was married to Shaul. Prior to WWII she lived in Riga, Latvia. During the war was in Riga, Latvia. Masza died in Riga, Latvia. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her cousin
 Krelitz Sara
  Sara Krelitz was born in Riga, Latvia to Shaul and Masha. She was single. Prior to WWII she lived in Riga, Latvia. During the war was in Riga, Latvia. Sara died in Riga, Latvia. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her cousin.  More Details...  
  Cukier Sara
  Sara Cukier was born in Wilno, Poland in 1910 to Leib and Khaia. She was a teacher and married. Prior to WWII she lived in Wilno, Poland. During the war was in Wilno, Poland. Sara died in Wilno, Poland. This information is based on a Page of Testimony submitted on 14/06/1957 by her cousin 
  

Birth Records of Batia and some of her brothers


FRIDMAN, Rokhe Breine daughter of Leib, Leib' father; Khatskel mother; Asne Rivke 1/11/1906 26 Heshvan Birzai Panevezys Kaunas Family came from Primushe Birzai 1906 F20 2290696 / 4 LVIA/1226/1/1959
FRIDMAN, Izrail Tsodik

Father; Leib Peisakh,

grandfather; Khatskel Eliash

Mother; Asne Rivke

4/3/1908 14 Adar II Birzai Panevezys Kaunas Family came from Primushe Birzai 1908 M2 2290696 / 4 LVIA/1226/1/1959
FRIDMAN, Khana Father; Leib Peisakh, Grandfather; Khatskel Eliash Mother; Asne Rivke 1/7/1909 24 Tammuz Birzai Panevezys Kaunas Family came from Primushe Birzai 1909 F15 2290696 / 4 LVIA/1226/1/1959
FRIDMAN, Basia Leia Leib Peisakh, Khatskel Eliash mother; Asna Rivka the daughter of Izrail Tsodik EVIEN 16/11/1913 29 Heshvan Birzai Panevezys Kaunas Family came from Primushe Birzai 1913 F21 2290696 / 4 LVIA/1226/1/1959

 
EVIEN, Shimkhe Izrael Tsodek Braina 1/2/1867 8 Adar Birzai Panevezys Kaunas
Birzai 1867 F4 2205126 / 3 LVIA/1226/1/384
EVIEN, Sora Izrael Braina 30/5/1872 5 Sivan Birzai Panevezys Kaunas
Birzai 1872 F11 2205126 / 4 LVIA/1226/1/403
EVIEN, Mikhel Izrael Tauba 12/5/1873 27 Iyar Birzai Panevezys Kaunas
Birzai 1873 M7 2205126 / 4 LVIA/1226/1/407
EVIEN, Shimshel Movsha Khaim, Izrael Tsodek Gitel 8/5/1880 10 Sivan Birzai Panevezys Kaunas
Birzai 1880 M14 2205137 / 2 LVIA/1226/1/1027

This are the records of birth of the sisters ; Simkhe and Sora ( you sent the picture of her children). Their youngest sister is Asne, the mother of Batia and Chana.
Batia said that her grandmother was Rachel but her first cousin ; Rachel Safra ( daughter of Simkhe from the records) said; Braina-
Could she have had 2 names?
Today ( 2- 10- 2006) I spoke to Batia nee Fridman who was born in Birze in 1913. She was not feeling well ( she is 93 years old) and said that it would be much better to visit her in person in Kibbutz Yagur ( if she would still be with us). She said that she studied in the Tarbut school in Birze for four grades ( it only had 4 grades). The rest of her schooling she did in Ponevitzes were she attended High school in Hebrew. The Zionist youth of Birze belonged to 3 different branches; HaChalutz, HaShomer Hatzair and Bitar. Batia was a member of Hachlutz. another member was Dov Lifshitz. They were the only members from Birze who were able to get certificates and make Aliyah to Israel. They came to Israel in March of 1935. There is a picture of them with the other members of Hachalutz of Birze , dated February 10th, 1935. Sadly, no other members were able to receive certificates ( some were able to come to Israel later not as members of hachlutz). From the members of hashomer hatzair there was Yoel (nee Boyer) Banai. Yoel who is about 93 years old lives in Kibbutz Haniv and Batia urged me to call him since he is much better then her about remembering Birze and in her words "He loves such things ..." ( she did not speak to him for some time so I hope that he is still with us)
Here is what she told me she heard from her brother; Israel Fridman about life in Birze after she left. When the Soviets took control of the area in 1940 all was well between the Jewish and the Lithuanian citizens. In June of 1941 when Germany attacked Russia, Her brother Israel was able to escape deep into the Soviet Union ( he lived in Vilna). Some of the local Lithuanias blamed the Jews for the hard times they faced during the Soviet regime. They ( The Lithuanians) killed the entire Jewish population of Birze in 1941. The Jews who survived were in other towns at the start of the war. Some survived the Kovno ghetto and the Shavli ghetto as well as German camps. Her entire family, mother and father sister and nieces and nephues who stayed in Birze perished in 1941. Her brother Israel survived in the Soviet Union and later came to Israel to join his sisters and brother; Benjamin who left Birze before the war. She said that she knew her second cousins; Yitzhak Chait and his brother Lova well. She knew of Jenia and Lola but at that moment she could not recall other Chaits.I asked her who is "Dov" who is also names in the caption. she said "Dov Lifshitz" right away without looking at the picture.