Dragobetzky Family

The Dragobetzky Family

By Bob Davis

My father, Jankel Dragobetzky, was born in Verbovets, Ukraine in 1913. He lived with his older sister, Rose, Aunt Fanny, and mother, Frieda, while his father (Harry) emigrated to America to support the family in New York. They left their homeland to join him in New York in 1921, which was easy decision given the circumstances and related consequences for Jewish people in the Ukraine at that time.

I recall his stories as a young child in Verbovets and often reflected on the terror and hardship he experienced for strength when inspiration was needed in my life. Bullets from Cossack guns on horseback would shatter their windows and town lives as hunger, poverty and fear formed the foundation of life in Verbovets and beyond. The desperate desire to escape oppression for freedom and a chance for a better life was paramount for most Jews in Verbovets and like towns around the world at this time.

One particular incident which my Dad often told my twin sister and me was about the time they attempted to leave Verbovets for America. Carrying all their belongings, my Dad, along with his sister, mother, aunt, and a male friend, walked several miles to meet someone to take them to their boat for their long journey. While in route, a man riding a wagon offered to take them to their destination. Upon loading all their possessions and my Dad on the wagon (who was 8 at the time), the man suddenly shouted as the horse drawn wagon with their possessions and my Dad began to race off in the distance. Their male friend began to chase the wagon, probably more for his belongings than Dad, when my Dad jumped onto the running man, as the wagon raced away from sight and sound. Everything was lost, except Dad. I often wondered what would have been if he never took that "leap of faith". I suspect I may not have a computer in front of me now retelling this story, which is hard to forget and sad to recall.

They made it to America, lived on the lower east side in Manhattan, Dragobetzky was changed to Davis, and Jankel became Jack. Life was much better than in Verbovets. How could it be much worse? Still, many struggles of a different but somewhat similar nature were to be experienced in the form of a crippling depression and World War II. Poverty, hunger, and fear were still a part of my Dad's life, but for different reasons than in Verbovets. Like so many of that time, he worked long and hard to provide for his family, sacrificed college to earn money, was a good soldier, married a wonderful Bronx girl (which I also did 40 years later), raised a family, and somehow kept a keen sense of humor despite the tribulations and evils of the past. I respected him for what he had to endure to provide for his parents, his wife and children. How could I ever complain about life when he had experienced such hardship? From the dirt floors in his Verbovets home, to the bread lines of the 30's, and the Philippines jungle a decade later, my problems were insignificant in comparison. If any value or purpose evolved from his adversities, I suspect it served to help me develop a proper perspective and needed determination at various times. It may not have been a "cure all" but it definitely took the "edge off". While thankful for that outcome, I experienced much sadness that his life, during at least the first 40 years, was not filled with more freedom, peace of mind, change in his pocket, and full stomachs of rich food. Yet, I was uplifted by his devotion to his family, and his playful, spirited behavior which was a comfort and source of love to my sister and me and his four grandchildren.

He was a wonderful, kindhearted man from a small town in the Ukraine a long time ago. I miss him very much and he will be a part of my life till it ends.