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nuthatch | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Soroca, Moldova tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Soroca, Moldova

it's getting late when we cross the Dniester river from Ukraine into Moldova, with Alex and Vitaly
it's getting late when we cross the Dniester river from Ukraine into Moldova, with Alex and Vitaly
but we arrive quickly at Soroca, where Marla's Blecher ancestors lived
but we arrive quickly at Soroca, where Marla's Blecher ancestors lived
our first stop is the 16th-c. Soroca Fortress...
our first stop is the 16th-c. Soroca Fortress...
...originally built under Moldova's Stephen the Great
...originally built under Moldova's Stephen the Great
a picturesque site for celebrations
a picturesque site for celebrations
then up to the Candle...
then up to the Candle...
...to take in views of the Dniester...
...to take in views of the Dniester...
...and across the river to Ukraine
...and across the river to Ukraine
Alex and Vitaly compete for low-light photography
Alex and Vitaly compete for low-light photography
the next morning, we start at the synagogue
the next morning, we start at the synagogue
Mr. Wexler greets us for a tour
Mr. Wexler greets us for a tour
he is a prominent local businessman, and looks after the Jewish buildings and cemetery
he is a prominent local businessman, and looks after the Jewish buildings and cemetery
inside the synagogue
inside the synagogue
g4/66/607666/3/139139818.MdMd4Evp.jpg in the women's section, with a view into the main hall
in the women's section, with a view into the main hall
the library, with books on Jewish topics...
the library, with books on Jewish topics...
...and about the history of the Soroca community
...and about the history of the Soroca community
g4/66/607666/3/139139822.GQhJ2BRm.jpg Mr. Wexler also shows us an index to the graves in the Jewish cemetery
Mr. Wexler also shows us an index to the graves in the Jewish cemetery
#63 on this list is Ida Blecher; we have no direct records, but she may have been a relative
#63 on this list is Ida Blecher; we have no direct records, but she may have been a relative
we follow Mr. Wexler to the cemetery
we follow Mr. Wexler to the cemetery
g4/66/607666/3/139139826.8UCnwuGI.jpg it is surprisingly large, and filled with markers and memorials
it is surprisingly large, and filled with markers and memorials
g4/66/607666/3/139139828.alzfSsmP.jpg
here is a monument to the victims of the Shoah, noting the towns where they died
here is a monument to the victims of the Shoah, noting the towns where they died
now we are off to see graves of people with names linked to Marla's relatives
now we are off to see graves of people with names linked to Marla's relatives
here's Ida Blecher...
here's Ida Blecher...
...Alex spots this Schwartzman stone as we pass...
...Alex spots this Schwartzman stone as we pass...
...another group of Schwartzmans, from the index...
...another group of Schwartzmans, from the index...
...and a Schwartz family
...and a Schwartz family
elsewhere in the cemetery, Mr. Wexler shows us a memorial to victims of a killing at a Soroca bridge
elsewhere in the cemetery, Mr. Wexler shows us a memorial to victims of a killing at a Soroca bridge
the group discusses the wartime history of the town
the group discusses the wartime history of the town
a last look over the cemetery before we go
a last look over the cemetery before we go
then a brief visit to the bridge where local Jews died in the war
then a brief visit to the bridge where local Jews died in the war
Mr. Wexler also has good ties with the local Romani community...
Mr. Wexler also has good ties with the local Romani community...
...and takes us on a tour of their neighborhoods...
...and takes us on a tour of their neighborhoods...
...to see their unique domestic architecture
...to see their unique domestic architecture
g4/66/607666/3/139139849.TEv77Fhh.jpg the facade of this house is styled after the Bolshoi ballet house
the facade of this house is styled after the Bolshoi ballet house
g4/66/607666/3/139139851.zIqhEMj7.jpg
a passer-by points out some special features to Vitaly
a passer-by points out some special features to Vitaly
these two houses incorporate a dollar-sign logo into their fence
these two houses incorporate a dollar-sign logo into their fence
this one features a missile on the upper balcony
this one features a missile on the upper balcony
we are greeted warmly in the neighborhood
we are greeted warmly in the neighborhood
g4/66/607666/3/139139856.sn3rk9vD.jpg this building was once a synagogue
this building was once a synagogue
Marla discusses the neighborhood's past with a resident
Marla discusses the neighborhood's past with a resident
g4/66/607666/3/139139859.m1UxTyAZ.jpg
g4/66/607666/3/139139860.mxDUQ9nf.jpg the range of styles is remarkable
the range of styles is remarkable
g4/66/607666/3/139139862.n6zrBx51.jpg then Mr. Wexler introduces us to the head of the Romani community, at his home
then Mr. Wexler introduces us to the head of the Romani community, at his home
Artur is working to provide higher-level schools for his community; we are charmed
Artur is working to provide higher-level schools for his community; we are charmed
Artur is also a collector of porcelain sculptures...
Artur is also a collector of porcelain sculptures...
...and a talented musician!
...and a talented musician!
finally it is time to head back to Ukraine
finally it is time to head back to Ukraine
pano: Dniester river from the fortress
pano: Dniester river from the fortress
pano: Dniester river from the Candle
pano: Dniester river from the Candle