Anya Gillinson reflects on her father's defiance of Soviet oppression, his Jewish identity, and the lasting legacy he left behind after his tragic death in New York.
This wildly beautiful essay electrified me. My husband was like your father. Since childhood, he despised his native homeland of Russia and burned to be an American to the marrow of his bones. He arranged to be an exchange student for a single semester as a freshman in college. There was a funereal silence in the car as his family brought him to the airport. It remained totally unspoken but fully understood by everyone that he would never be back.
Two months into his exchange student experience in upstate NY, the Russian economy collapsed and his parents could no longer afford his tuition. He would soon be broke and homeless. He was 17 and totally alone in a foreign country, with no contacts, no money, no livelihood, no friends or family, no English, no nothing.
Over the weeks and months and years ahead, he would sometimes go without a mouthful of food for 6 or 7 days on end but he never once considered going back.
On the other side of things now, he was able to bring his parents over. My father-in-law is a Ukrainian nationalist, and he too would rather die under a bridge in America than live in a palace in Putin's Russia.
I pray that in another week, we will vindicate the choices of brave men and women like them by keeping democracy and freedom alive here.
A fascinating and moving story of courage, commitment and sacrifice. In a way, Kafkesque story with a tragic climax but with an optimistic ending (you, "escaping" Russia and now living in America - a new generation, living the freedom inculcated in you by your father's obdurate rectitude). Thank you.
This wildly beautiful essay electrified me. My husband was like your father. Since childhood, he despised his native homeland of Russia and burned to be an American to the marrow of his bones. He arranged to be an exchange student for a single semester as a freshman in college. There was a funereal silence in the car as his family brought him to the airport. It remained totally unspoken but fully understood by everyone that he would never be back.
Two months into his exchange student experience in upstate NY, the Russian economy collapsed and his parents could no longer afford his tuition. He would soon be broke and homeless. He was 17 and totally alone in a foreign country, with no contacts, no money, no livelihood, no friends or family, no English, no nothing.
Over the weeks and months and years ahead, he would sometimes go without a mouthful of food for 6 or 7 days on end but he never once considered going back.
On the other side of things now, he was able to bring his parents over. My father-in-law is a Ukrainian nationalist, and he too would rather die under a bridge in America than live in a palace in Putin's Russia.
I pray that in another week, we will vindicate the choices of brave men and women like them by keeping democracy and freedom alive here.
Thank you for exposing me to authors I might not have known. I'm a bit overwhelmed.
Nancy Shiffrin https//www.NancyShiffrin.net
A fascinating and moving story of courage, commitment and sacrifice. In a way, Kafkesque story with a tragic climax but with an optimistic ending (you, "escaping" Russia and now living in America - a new generation, living the freedom inculcated in you by your father's obdurate rectitude). Thank you.
Your father sounds like he was a remarkable man. And then to be murdered in the city he dreamed of. I’m so sorry. He lives on in your writing.
Congrats on your memoir. 🙏🥰
Thank you for showing the integrity of your father and inspiration he passes on.
Very moving. Thank you.