Tradition, Tradition: From Old Russia to North Beach
Fifty-two members of the Lifchitz clan enjoyed a euphoric if sometimes “raucous” reunion here on June 29, reported Liz Hertz, one of the celebrants.
In the early 20th century, Rifka Lifchitz, her four sisters and two brothers immigrated from Bobruysk, Russia, now part of Belarus. Their descendents now outnumber at least 200, Hertz figures.
They all keep in touch by means of a biannual newsletter that another celebrant, Russ Linden, writes and through their regular family reunion which takes place every five years. Except for the one at the Fior d’Italia which followed the previous one by only four years.
“We decided five years was just too long,” said Hertz who is the great granddaughter of the original Rifka.
Linden explained, “When we get together we put a map up and put pins in all the places in the United States where we come from.”
The original Lifchitz family settled in Detroit and now its members are spread out all over the country. This year a family came that had never attended before and they hail from New York.
Previous reunions had been held in Michigan or Chicago. This was the first time they had met in San Francisco. The choice was a success, said Hertz.
The family’s reunion included a three-day tour of the City and a brochure listing milestone events in the participants’ lives. The family has produced videos and audio transcripts of their ancestors recounting their incredible transition from Russia to United States. Copies of letters from their family in the old country and Israel, translated from Yiddish, are available also to family members.
