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.

I had two sisters - Mania and Bronia. Bronia was married and had a little daughter called Aviva.

My father was a grain merchant. 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.

My family came to a bitter end. All the members of my family perished in the Holocaust.

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,(1911- 1979) who became the mayor of Tel Aviv. We have three sons, two of them in Israel and one is studying abroad.

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.

Melnik Miriam nee Lubovski
					Miriam Melnik was born to Aba and Sara Lubovski. 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 Grunia Rabinovitz of Tel Aviv
Melnik Bronia
				Bronia Melnik was born to Daniel and Miriam. Prior to WWII she lived in Jurburg, Lithuania. During the war she was in Jurburg, Lithuania. Bronia perished in the Shoah at the age of 34 with her 4 years old daughter: Aviva. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by her sister
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
Melnik Daniel
	Daniel Melnik was born to Moshe and Gruna. He was a merchant and married to Miriam nee Lubovski. 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
Kaplan Ana
			Ana Kaplan was born to Moshe and Gruna Melnik. She was married to Herman. Prior to WWII she lived in Riga, Latvia. During the war she was in Riga, Latvia. Ana 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 Grunia Rabinovitz, the daughter of her brother:

Papo Bronia

Bronia Papo nee Kaplan was born to Herman Kaplan and Ana nee Melnik. She was married to Yitzkhak. Prior to WWII she lived in Riga, Latvia. During the war she was in Riga, Latvia. Bronia perished in the Shoah at the age of 40 with husband and daughter Zina age 14. This information is based on a Page of Testimony found in the Pages of Testimony by her relative Grunia Rabinovitz

Kaplan Herman

Herman Kaplan. He was a merchant and married to Ana nee Melnik. Prior to WWII he lived in Riga, Latvia. During the war he was in Riga, Latvia. Herman perished in the Shoah at the age of 56. This information is based on a Page of Testimony by his relative Grunia Rabinovitz

Kaplan Max
	Max Kaplan was born to Herman and Ana. He was a merchant and married to Zhenia. Prior to WWII he lived in Riga, Latvia. During the war he was in Riga, Latvia. Max perished in the Shoah at the age of 42. This information is based on a Page of Testimony

submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by his relative Grunia Rabinovitz

Klempner Frida

Frida Klempner was born to Herman and Ana nee Melnik. She was married to Khula. Prior to WWII she lived in Riga, Latvia. During the war she was in Riga, Latvia. Frida perished in the Shoah at the age of 40. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by her relative Grunia Rabinovitz

Klempner Kola

Kola Klempner was born in Riga. He was married to Frida. Prior to WWII he lived in Riga, Latvia. During the war he was in Riga, Latvia. Kola perished in the Shoah at the age of 45. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by his relative Grunia Rabinovitz

Margolis Rachel
				Rachel Margolis was born to Aba and Sara. She was divorced. Prior to WWII she lived in Jurburg, Lithuania. During the war she was in Jurburg, Lithuania. Rachel perished in the Shoah at the age of 56. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by her relative Grunia Rabinovitz
Magulis Grisha
			Grisha Magulis. He was a factory owner and married to Rakhel nee Lubovski. Prior to WWII he lived in Jurborg, Lithuania. During the war he was in Jurborg, Lithuania. Grisha perished in the Shoah at the age of 57. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by his relative
Lebowski Riwka
		Riwka Lebowski was born to Aba and Sara. She was single. Prior to WWII she lived in Jurburg, Lithuania. During the war she was in Jurburg, Lithuania. Riwka perished in the Shoah at the age of 50. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by her relative
Lubowski Olga
	Olga Lubowski was born to Aba and Sara. She was married to Yulius. Prior to WWII she lived in Jurburg, Lithuania. During the war she was in Jurburg, Lithuania. Olga perished in the Shoah at the age of 50. with children Ema and Sarah. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by her relative
Lubowski Julius
	Julius Lubowski. He was a merchant and married to Olga. Prior to WWII he lived in Jurburg, Lithuania. During the war he was in Jurburg, Lithuania. Julius perished in the Shoah at the age of 55. This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed on left) submitted on 28-Mar-1957 by his relative