Out of habit, Eli and Eitan both scanned the apartment for any sign of Jewish life. A well-worn golden menorah in a box in the corner of the room was the only evidence available. But it was evidence that this woman really had been waiting for them so that she could tell her story. The box sat underneath a shelf that held nothing more than some tea packets and a box of crackers. While Eli and Eitan expected to see meager conditions, they were both still appalled to see such squalor.
The old woman invited both men into her cramped living room, where they took a seat on a piece of furniture that might have passed for a sofa many decades ago. Slowly, the woman made her way to a more comfortable reclining chair and sat opposite her guests. Then she said, “My name is Vera. Welcome to my home.”
Eli took a moment to introduce himself and his friend and thanked her for welcoming them to her home. Vera glanced back and forth at them as Eli was talking. She had a faint smile that indicated that, though she never received visitors, she was not surprised that these two Jewish men were now sitting in her apartment.
After a few more pleasantries and inquiries into his host’s health and wellness, Eli arrived at the reason for the visit. “You know things are getting very bad for the Jews now in Ukraine,” he said.
“Things are bad for everyone now,” Vera replied.
“Yes, this is very true. But we are here to see if we can find a way to help Ukraine’s Jews immigrate to Israel,” Eli said.
“That would be very nice. I always wanted to go there someday,” she responded.
Eitan sat quietly, allowing Eli to do the talking. His Yiddish was very rudimentary, and he didn’t feel comfortable speaking poorly at such an important moment. Instead, he smiled at Vera, and waited for Eli to respond.
“Well, it is possible that you may be able to help us accomplish this goal,” Eli said.
“Me? What could I possibly do? I am just an old woman wasting away in Odessa.”
“If it is ok, would you mind telling us about your life? Especially what happened to you during and after the war? I know it’s difficult to talk about, but we believe your story may be able to help us. And we also believe you may be the last person left who can help us,” Eli said.
“Why do you think that?” Vera asked in a way that suggested she knew why they were there.
“Because our friends in Jerusalem believe you are the only person left in Ukraine who may have witnessed events that could help us aid Ukraine’s Jewish community today,” Eli responded.
“Why do they think that?” Vera asked coyly.
“Because they have good records. They try to track every survivor with every bit of information they can get their hands on. You may be the only survivor of Babi Yar we do not have any record of passing away.”
“Well then, I suppose you have found your needle in the haystack,” Vera said with a smile. “You can see I’m not quite dead yet.”
“Thank God,” Eli answered.
“Tell me, why doesn’t your friend here say anything?” Vera asked Eli.
“He does, but he does not speak Yiddish very well,” Eli replied.
“It is ok. I speak some English,” Vera said in Eitan’s native tongue. “It is nice to meet you, whoever you are,” Vera said with a smile.
Thus far Eli had only told Vera Eitan’s name, so he was happy to add a little more biographical information.
“I am honored to be in your home Vera. I am a rabbi from the US, and I am here trying to help the Jews of Ukraine.”
“You may be the only one here trying to help us,” Vera responded.
“It is my honor to do it. We desperately want to help, and as Eli mentioned, you may be our best shot,” Eitan said gently.
“Since you have found me, I guess you want to know my story.”
“We very much do, Vera. We very much do,” Eitan said as he reached for her rough and shriveled hand and held it in his own.
“It’s not easy for me to say this, but you have kind eyes. And the eyes lead to the soul, you know,” Vera said looking straight at Eitan’s countenance. “You must have a good soul.”
Eitan smiled, and leaned back as Vera began to tell them the story they needed to hear.