Imagine growing up in a country where you’re forced to hide your identity for fear of persecution and discrimination. That was the life Lazar Abramovitch lived in the former Soviet Union.
Now, at 88, Abramovitch is able to freely embrace his Jewish roots as one of the hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews who found refuge in the U.S. And, on Thursday, Abramovitch will finally have a Bar Mitzvah, a Jewish ceremony that takes place at the age of 13 and celebrates a boy’s transition to manhood.
“I’ve never lived as good as I do now,” said Abramovitch, a marine biologist and author, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1989. “In the Soviet Union, you could not own a bible. If you did, you were given seven years in jail. Now I go to a synagogue and on Monday, I celebrated Rosh Hashanah. It was very exciting.”
Abramovitch, who was born in Kharkov in 1928, said he was unable to have a Bar Mitzvah because of the discrimination Jews faced in the Soviet Union. His grandfather was also murdered, Abramovitch said.
“Jewish life could not be restored, especially after the Holocaust,” Abramovitch said. “It was easy to recognize and murder Jews.”
In 1980, his parents and sister immigrated to the U.S. and he followed in 1989, seeking political asylum. Three years later, his wife followed.
Now, Abramovitch, with the support of Jewish Family Service, enjoys life in the U.S. with his daughter, granddaughter and two great grandchildren.
“It was a dream for me to not live in a country with Communism,” Abramovitch said. “Every moment of my life I pray because everything is wonderful. To add my voice to the voices of Jews for my beloved country is wonderful.”
Abramovitch said he’s excited to finally have his own Bar Mitzvah, hosted by JFS, and to celebrate his Jewish heritage.
“This year, my great grandson had a Bar Mitzvah and I enjoyed it very much,” Abramovitch said. “I am very happy and proud to have my own.”