Life in Lviv

Samuel Kalis was born in Lviv, Ukraine in 1908 where he and his family lived in poverty. In his later years, he did not discuss his hardships much because it was too difficult to talk about. Because of this, much of his story is unknown including details about his voyage to America.

Lviv in the early 1900's

Picture of a Jewish home after a pogrom attack

*Pogrom attack: Organized massacre of a particular group

Anti-Semitism in the Ukraine

There is a long history of anti-Semitism in the Ukraine dating back for centuries. Jews were often blamed for societal downfalls and were accused for murdering Christians for spiritual rituals. Because of these false beliefs that were spread throughout Europe, there were several anti-Semitic laws enacted and anti-Jewish pogrom* attacks. These attacks included the burning and looting of Jewish homes, the murder of Jewish people, and other acts of violence targeted towards the Jews. Numerous Jews, like Samuel and his family, escaped anti-Semitism in the Ukraine by immigrating to America by boat. However, many people (including Samuel's relatives and friends) could not afford the trip and likely died during the Holocaust.

Trip To America

Samuel's trip to America is mostly unknown but he likely rode on several trains before traveling by boat to Ellis Island. The boat rides to Ellis Island in the early 1900's are remembered to have been crowded and unsanitary because of the large number of immigrants desiring to start a new life in America. Many of these trips were funded by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee whose goal was to offer support and relief for Jews struggling in Europe. Because of the Great Depression between 1929-1933, funds for the committee were drastically reduced and Jews were unable to escape their hardships. This resulted in the death of millions of Jews during the Holocaust when the Nazi Regime came to power.

Group of Jewish Immigrants traveling to Ellis Island

Ellis Island, early 1900's vs. current

Timeline of Anti-Semitic Events in The Soviet Region That Led to Samuel Kalis' Emigration

Interesting Fact: During a pogrom attack, a homemade bomb was thrown into Samuel Kalis' house but it landed in a pot of borscht soup so it did not go off.

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