Shaya Smushkevich

Shaya (Yakov) Smushkevich, 08.15.1917 – 04.29.2000, son of Moisei (Moisha) Aronovich Smushkevich.

My uncle Shaya Smushkevich

January 8, 1992. Kennedy Airport (JFK), NY. Our plane just landed. My son Mikhail and I have finally arrived in the USA. We left the country where we were born; we left family and friends. We had no idea what to expect from this strange land. It is not only another country, but also another continent, hemisphere, culture, and language.

We passed through customs and with baggage in hand, we continued on our journey. I saw my uncle Shaya. He and his daughter, Rosa, came to JFK to meet us. As he held me in a hug, I felt peace of mind, security. We are not alone; we are among our people.

At the time of our arrival in the USA, my uncle Shaya was a very sick man. Somehow, he found the strength to prepare everything for us. From the airport, we brought our belongings to Rosa’s apartment, where we lived for the first month. We barely put down our bags when we were off again, to my uncle and aunt’s apartment. Almost all of his big family was waiting for us. My aunt, Riva, had prepared a big beautiful dinner in our honor. It was a feast. Uncle Shaya and Riva made our first day in our new country into a holiday.

Unfortunately, holidays do not last long. The first few months of life in a new land are not easy. The time was difficult for Mikhail and for me. My uncle Shaya, his wife and all of his family tried to help us. Since the time of our arrival and until his death, my family felt his love and attention. When we finally bought a house, he was very sick. He had three operations and was weak. Despite his frailty, his will was strong. He had always cared about our well-being and wanted to see our new home. Shay and Riva took the trip Stamford, CT. It was a difficult trip for them both, but we persevered, from family we derive strength.

My uncle Shaya was a second father to me, here in America. He passed to the next world on April 29, 1999. It has been over five years since we lost him, but he will always live on in our hearts and our memories. He was a man with a big heart and beautiful soul.

From all of my family I want to thank you, my dear uncle Shaya, for your love, kindness and caring for all of us.

Your niece Nelli (Smushkevich) Medvinsky

Stamford, CT

April 2005