Ludvipol: A Modern Shtetl
A Happy Childhood
them for you to measure, although ready-made children’s shoes were available in stores. Our winter boots were made from thick, heavy pressed felt with durable leather soles to protect us from the deep snow. A bus passed through town twice a week and occasionally someone would arrive in a private automobile, which was ex- citing, but people usually traveled by horse and wagon. Only a few people owned their own horse or wagon; the rest would hire a rig from a local business when needed or they would hitch a ride with someone already driving to or through their destination. My father owned a fine carriage with two horses and had a driver on call. Everyone in Ludvipol knew each other, and many had lived in the town and known each other’s families for generations. They shared life’s triumphs and defeats. The entire town celebrated at weddings and mourned at funerals. They helped each other during financial crises and were especially generous to people making ali- yah (immigration to the land of Israel). The community donated generously to local charities, such as the no-interest loan associa- tion, and to international Jewish charities such as the KKL ( Keren Kayemeth L’Yisrael , the Jewish National Fund for Israel). The Jewish people got along well with each other. We shared a common environment, surrounded by Ukrainians and a few Poles. Everyone could speak Ukrainian, although the government was Polish and we lived in Poland. There was great respect for parents; one did not do things to hurt one’s parents, nor to drastically chal- lenge tradition. Our town was slowly emerging from the nineteenth century without abandoning its Jewish roots and traditions. In Europe, your position in society was based on your profes- sion and economic status. Social status was very important in our town and everyone knew his place. The poorest in town were shoe- makers, tailors, and other artisans, while the wealthiest were the owners of stores and mills. Since my father was a successful businessman, my family was
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