A Tribute to Erwin and Riva Baker (continued)

existing under such unsanitary conditions for such a long period of time? Can you imagine what is was like to be in such a grave when the blustering cold winds and the heavy snows of winter are literally over your head? Can you imagine what it was like to be cramped in that grave for hours at a time unable to move? Because Izak had maintained good relations with the gentiles from his days as a mill owner, he was able to leave the grave periodically to obtain food. Rivka was left behind in the grave. She always waited anxiously for his return, never knowing if he would return. One day a dog appeared at the grave and started sniffing. Both Rivka and Izak were afraid that the dog would start barking and thus reveal their hiding place. Luckily, the dog eventually went away. Rivka often cried to Izak that they would be crippled if they ever survived. Many times she would cry as feelings of hopelessness would engulf her. The dampness of those days in the grave gave Rivka the arthritis she suffered from the rest of her life. I can't even begin to imagine all of the horrors they endured in the grave. Photos were taken of both Izak and Rivka after they were liberated. Rivka looked worse than Izak as she was completely emaciated.

Following liberation by the Russians, Izak was able to show the Russians where the mass grave was and estimate approximately its size. Izak and Rivka then returned to the Burko house in Mezeritsh. Prostitutes were now living in the house. There were family pictures strewn on the floor. Rivka picked them up and took them with her. The gentiles were surprised to see them, thinking that all the Jews had been murdered. All of Izak's family and all of Rivka's family had been murdered by the Nazis. No one survived! She no longer could stay in Mezeritsh. She begged Izak to take her away from there. They eventually made their way to a displaced persons camp in Italy where they remained for four years. Eventually, Izak's uncles brought them to Detroit. Izak and Rivka Bebczuk became Erwin and Riva Baker.

Rivka always lamented why was she had been the only one from her immediate family to survive the Holocaust. Erwin often tried to comfort her by saying: "As long as you have me, you have everything." Unfortunately, Erwin passed away December 4, 1979, leaving Riva alone. How I remember at his funeral how Riva screamed: "He saved me from Hitler! He saved me from Hitler!" As I said at Riva's funeral, she remained alive to touch our hearts with her sweet gentleness and caring nature. Erwin and Riva did not become bitter people from their life experiences. They both retained their Jewish orthodox beliefs and devotion to Yiddishkeit (Jewish culture) all the days of their lives.

May this summary of their experiences be a sacred tribute to both Erwin and Riva Baker. May they rest in peace and may their memories serve as a blessing.

Other than the specific dates of the Nazi occupation and mass slaughter, the majority of these stories was written from memory as verbally told to me by Riva. It is ironic that Riva passed away on September 23--the 62nd anniversary of the annihilation of the Jewish community of Mezeritsh.



Please continue for a series of photos chronicling the lives of Erwin and Riva Baker.