Comments on: My Immigrant Story - #MoreThanALabel

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:20:25 +0000

In reply to Karen. This touches my soul. Thank you for sharing it with me - the bravery of our forefathers never ceases to amaze me, and I hope our kids will never take it for granted...

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:56:57 +0000

Thanks so much for telling your story. I am not an immigrant, but my Grandfather left Russia by himself at 16, somewhere around 1914ish. My grandmother arrived (also from Russia) as a 3-year old with her mother, probably around the same time. I so appreciate hearing your story. I always marvel at the courage of my Grandfather/Great grandparents and folks like your parents who basically left their whole lives behind to make a better life for those who came after them. Such a sacrifice. Thanks for bringing us these recipes as well. Nothing brings people together quite like food.

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:24:05 +0000

In reply to Karen Hecker, Bella Gurevich. Thank you so, so much Karen for sharing your wife's story. My heart bleeds for what happened to her family, and yet rejoices at the fact she found solace later in life. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for adding to this important discourse.

By: Karen Hecker, Bella Gurevich

Karen Hecker, Bella Gurevich — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:18:13 +0000

My wife, Bella Gurevich a Russian Jew, was born in what is now Ukraine, Odessa and lived in what is now Russia, Vologda. It was the USSR when she was there. She, and her six-year-old daughter left in 1981 for the United States. They had to stay in Rome for six weeks during the transfer. Some of her family went to Israel. She also stood in those long food lines with her baby. Unfortunately, her father, who was from Latvia, lost his whole family to the holocaust. He happened to be away from home when they came and got his family. He was 16 and went to Russia to join the military. She also lost family members on her mother's side. Her mom was a doctor in the USSR and, of course had to repeat medical school the USA since her degree would not transfer. Bella was born deaf but never had hearing aids until she came to the US. She has been a tailor for over 50 years and also does fiber art now that we are retired and have time. Her daughter is very successful in her career. Bella is the proudest American there is and gets so upset that so many people who were born here do not appreciate the country.

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 12:52:46 +0000

In reply to yana prints. Thanks sis!!!

By: yana prints

yana prints — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 22:57:37 +0000

wowwww
what an awsam blog
loved it
waydagp sis

By: Elen G

Elen G — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 18:23:48 +0000

In reply to kseniaprints. Likewise, Ksenia!

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:02:46 +0000

In reply to Sarah Carson. You're too kind. I just felt like I had to share something of myself for this important mission! And you know, introduce myself to the people who haven't been reading this thing for over a year and a half ;)

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:00:31 +0000

In reply to Elen G. Completely true. I think that one of the reasons I am so comfortable in Canada is because, unlike the oft-vehement patriotism of the U.S., this is a country that recognizes its immigrant roots. Glad to meet you, Elen!

By: Sarah Carson

Sarah Carson — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 01:08:20 +0000

You are such a gem, Ksenia! Thanks for sharing.

By: Elen G

Elen G — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 23:19:14 +0000

Kellie sent me! What a truly beautiful and moving story. Thank you so much for sharing. Unless we are First Nations or Aboriginals, we are all of immigrant stock. We immigrated to Canada from the U.S. because we wanted a quieter, slower pace of life. And while I love my country of birth, I love my adopted country, too. Nice writing. Cheers.

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 23:05:04 +0000

In reply to Irene. Thank you, Irene, for sharing your family story and memories. It's so true how in many immigrant cultures, the drive to make new connections and to share something of your background is stronger than the drive to save... and so, so many families opened their cupboards and kitchens to friends and new acquaintances, inviting guests and bringing food to potluck and just wanting to win hearts and minds through stomachs. I guess I'm not that different after all!

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 17:00:25 +0000

In reply to Shmuel Prints. Pap, I completely agree with you. You've said it much better and more to the point than I ever could!

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 16:55:07 +0000

In reply to Kathryn @ The Scratch Artist. I have been thinking about your comment for the week that I couldn't really type due to my hand... And it's caused me both joy and sadness. Joy, because you are getting to discover even just a little bit of your roots through the questions you're raising to your grandparents... And sadness, because your great-grandparents must have had such bad experiences that have driven them to eschew their past and try to forget about it. Russia for Jews at the turn of the 20th century was no paradise... And I honestly cannot even begin to fathom what they must have gone through. Thank you so much for opening up your story to me and my readers.

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 16:52:20 +0000

In reply to Kellie MacMillan. You are the kindest person I've met through blogging! Seriously, your words and emotions are just so uplifting, and you really know how to make a girl feel special :) But the brave and wonderful ones are my parents, who took two little children and gave them a better life. I am forever in their debt!

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 16:24:33 +0000

In reply to Mom. A chto mi eshe mojem delat'? :)

By: kseniaprints

kseniaprints — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 16:24:18 +0000

In reply to Darlene Tomes. Darlene, it is I who am proud to know you and your family's immigrant stories. It's amazing how, no matter where we come from in the world, all immigrants have a shared history of resilience. Thank you for opening your home and heart to me.

By: Irene

Irene — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 20:40:07 +0000

Thank You for sharing your story and beautiful family pictures. Our family immigrated to Canada also, my parents wanted a better live and more opportunists for their children. This is such a common reason for most immigrants...... Much like your parents mine also worked day and night at whatever was available to some income. Although we did not much there were always gatherings in our kitchen with friends and good food. Food was so important to my father especially fresh fruit, well maybe fresh everything.... Our friends really were like family as so many of us never had a Aunt, Uncle or Grandparents in Canada. So many happy times through such difficult times. My father is Polish and mother is Russian. They met after the War in Germany.

By: Shmuel Prints

Shmuel Prints — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 16:01:32 +0000

I think that truth about immigration is more complicated. I is so hard to be adapted in new reality and be changed. But the country that gets new citizens has to be ready to changing too. The fear to be changed is really reason for anti-immigrant comments.
People have to be braves to leave there cradle. But the permanent residents have to be brave more.

By: Kathryn @ The Scratch Artist

Kathryn @ The Scratch Artist — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 23:10:00 +0000

Ksenia,
These photos and your story are so beautiful. I can see your face in your mother's and vice versa. So beautiful. You all look so happy and tightly knit in all of these photos. My great grandparents migrated to Brooklyn, NY from Russia in the early 1900s. There was always a veil of secrecy around their Russian past. They assertively looked to become American and they eschewed their roots. I didn't know either of them, but whenever I asked my Grandfather about it, he said that they never talked about it. The stigma and challenges of being immigrants is part of what drove the secrecy, I imagine. From where I sit, it takes so much strength and courage to immigrate. I have such respect for those that leave everything thing they know for a chance at something better, when there is no guarantee of safety or success. My heart is with you and your family Ksenia. I am happy that you added your voice to this important endeavor.