Galina Imshenik, age 98, saved Jewish toddler, Yelena Dolgov in Belarus. Galina and her husband took Yelena into their home and raised her as if she was their own daughter, risking their own lives and the lives of their son and other family members, anyone who was living in the same house. Yelena’s biological mother survived the Holocaust and when the war was over she returned and took Yelena from the Imsheniks to live with her. However, Yelena would return every summer and winter vacation to her “second set of parents”.
This strong connection that she shared with the Imsheniks was mutual and when Yelena decided to move to Israel in 1992, Galina moved with her.
Since their joint aliyah 18 years ago, Galina and Yelena have lived together in an apartment in Jerusalem. Yelena is now the one caring for Galina, attending to her many medical and personal needs 24 hours a day. Yelena has a tradition that every year she organizes a birthday party for Galina, to which she invites friends, former and current caretakers, and people dear to Galina. ATZUM staff attended this special 98th birthday celebration, a tribute to Galina and to their life.
Pictured: Yelena and Galina at the celebration
