WELCOME

Time comes when we begin to feel the need to know so much more about our forefathers: about their roots, their life and history. Perhaps it’s for the sake of our children and grandchildren that we want to fill in this picture, but often, it’s for our own peace of mind.

In my case this need-to-know came very late in my life - too late - all who could fill in the picture for me had long departed. Putting together my family tree wasn’t enough - I needed to know more, and in search of an answer, I am following the footprints of our fathers in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, Ukraine…

On the way, I met an old man in Belarus. He pained over the death of his father in a gulag in Kazakhstan, so I brought back for him photographs of the lagier and a stone taken from one of the mass graves strewn across acres of wasteland, in one of which his father would have been buried. And the man wept… tears of grief, relief and gratitude that, finally, someone had said a prayer over the bones of his father.

But this man is not alone. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children - perhaps some of our closest friends or members of our family – were imprisoned or deported on Stalin’s orders. Thousands perished; many dispersed throughout the world; many never again saw freedom, and their descendants now live as best they can in their land of exile. Can we forget them?

So you are welcome to

·        explore with us your roots and places held dear in your memory or

·        trace the footsteps of those dear to you imprisoned or deported to forced labour camps, or perhaps perished in Stalin’s evil empire.

·        You are also welcome to participate on these pages and to share with others your memoirs or recollections, photographs or memorabilia, or your thoughts and comments.

But, above all, ORT aims to be more than just a forum for words. So you are most welcome to

·        join us and extend a helping hand to the people left behind. They need practical help and encouragement to retain their identity and to strive for a better life.

We have started in a small way but, together, we can achieve much more.

Thank you for looking