Sojourn in Romania

Many thousands of Jews who were escaping from Russia first went to Romania, staying in Bucharest or Kishinev (Romanian: Chisinau). Evenually, relief agencies were set up to help the incoming stream of refugees.

Most of the Bezbrozhs who left Russia crossed into Romania and then lived there while waiting for money from relatives in America. They also had to wait to get their visas to come to America. Meir Bezbrozh (son of Moishe) and his new bride Klara Polsky left for Romania in 1921, and lived in Kishinev for seven months while they waited for money from Klara's brother Harry Polsky who was in America. They then went to Bucharest where they waited for their passports for six weeks. Finally, when all the paperwork was complete, the boarded a train to France. They passed through Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Germany, Paris and finally they arrived at the port of Cherbourg. When they arrived at the ship, the officials wouldn't allow Meir on the boat because his eyes were red. The officials feared some sort of disease, but Meir's eyes were merely red from lack of sleep and excitement. Finally, after eight days, Meir's eyes looked normal and Meir and Clara were able to board the ship for America.

Isaac Bezbrozh, his wife Dora and their infant son Itzie, also stayed in Romania, living in Kishinef at Bessarabia Strada Fantanie 2. While Yosef and Ruchel Bezbrozh were staying in Romania, their son Vevel was born there in 1921. Becky (later Betty) Litrovik, the daugher of Izak and Leeza Litrovnik was also born in Romania, in Kishinev. Basia and Lisa Bezbrozh, the wife and daughter of Moshe Bezbrozh (who had come to the U.S. in 1914) also stayed in Romania, in Bucharest. Feige and Pinnie Bezbrozh also stayed in Bucharest, at the Central Relief agency at Parfumului 29. Conditions in Romania must have been far from ideal, since Pinnie contracted Typhus in Romania. He did recover enough, however, to make the trip to America.