The Melnik Family
Geula (Grunia) Melnik-Rabinowitz
Translated by Irene Emodi, Tel Aviv

I was born in Riga, Lithuania (1916). In 1928 I came to Yurburg from Russia together with my family.We lived on Rasainiu street. I was part of a large family.
My father's name was Daniel and my mother's name Miriam. My father was a grain merchant. I had two sisters - Mania and Bronia. Bronia was married and had a little daughter called Aviva.
My sister Mania worked at the Kommertz Bank managed by Shmaryahu Bernstein. I finished the Hebrew Gymnasium in Yurburg and the kindergarten seminary in Riga.
We kept a traditional home. My father and mother prayed at the old synagogue. We spoke Yiddish and Russian at home. We were active Zionists. We contributed to Keren Hakayemet and charity funds in town. I was a member of "Hashomer Hatzair" and my sisters of "Maccabi". There was a pleasant atmosphere at home. We always felt at ease and peaceful at home.
I went to Israel in 1936, after pioneer training in Memel (Klaipde). In my first year in Israel I worked as a kindergarten teacher in Yokneam and from there I moved to Tel Aviv. I married Joshua Rabinowitz ( a native of Vishnevo), who became the mayor of Tel Aviv and [hide]
v • d • eFinance Ministers of Israel. We have three sons, two of them in Israel and one is studying abroad.
My family ( in Jurburg) came to a bitter end. All the members of my family perished in the Holocaust
Melnik Daniel
Daniel Melnik was born to Moshe and Gruna. He was a merchant and married to Miriam nee Lubovski and had 3 children. Prior to WWII he lived in Jurburg, Lithuania. During the war he was in Jurburg, Lithuania. Daniel perished in the Shoah at the age of 54. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by his daughter
Submitter's Last Name RABINOVITZ
Submitter's First Name* GRUNA
Melnik Miriam
Miriam Melnik was born to Aba and Sara. She was married to Daniel. Prior to WWII she lived in Jurburg, Lithuania. During the war she was in Jurburg, Lithuania. Miriam perished in the Shoah at the age of 52. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by her daughter
Submitter's Last Name RABINOVITZ
Submitter's First Name* GRUNA
Melnik Mania
Mania Melnik was born to Daniel and Miriam. She was single. Prior to WWII she lived in Yorburg, Lithuania. During the war she was in Yorburg, Lithuania. Mania perished in the Shoah at the age of 30. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by her sister
Submitter's Last Name RABINOVITZ
Submitter's First Name* GRUNA
Melnik Bronia
Bronia Melnik was born to Daniel and Miriam. Prior to WWII she lived in Jurburg, Lithuania with daughter Aviva age 4. During the war she was in Jurburg, Lithuania. Bronia perished in the Shoah at the age of 34. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by her sister
Submitter's Last Name RABINOVITZ
Submitter's First Name* GRUNA
The editor takes the liberty of adding that the Rabinowitz family was a well-known and popular family in Tel Aviv. The home of mayor Joshua Rabinowitz and his wife Geula opened its doors to anyone in need as well as to intellectuals and important people. Joshua Rabinowitz served as mayor for many years, and he was esteemed and admired by all the town's inhabitants for his many achievements in improving the town.
After his death, institutions and enterprises were named after him: The city' s award for culture and art as well as the well-known and splendid project "Ganey Joshua" - one of his many projects for the benefit of the town - are a handsome monument to his name and achievement