Photos of Erwin and Riva Baker and the Burko Family
Born: Izak Bebczuk,  Born: Rivka Burko (continued)

14). Another photo of Yidel Burko.

15). Members of the "Hashomair Ha-Za-ir" Zionist youth organization in Mezeritsh. This photo was given to my father by my aunt, Esther Gershman Icchaki. Standing in the back row, second from the right is Rivka (with the white hat). Next to Rivka on the right was her friend also named Rivka, whose father was a shoichet (a ritual slaughterer of animals). She perished in the Holocaust. Also standing in the back row, fourth from the right is my aunt, Esther Gershman Icchaki. In addition, in the middle of the three girls sitting on the ground is my other aunt, Malkah Gershman Zafran. Both of my aunts immigrated to Israel prior to the outbreak of World War II. Both have since passed away.

16). This is also one of Rivka's favorite pictures. From left to right (standing): Yidel Burko, Rivka Burko, Bracha Burko, and Nuchim Burko. You can see by their outerwear that they did not come from a poor family.  Rivka states that they would often go to Rovno, a larger city than Mezeritsh, and purchase ready-made clothes, whereas in Mezeritsh clothes were custom-made.

17). Rivka Burko and her friend also named Rivka. Last name unknown.

18). Izak Bebczuk on his favorite (and perhaps only) mode of transportation: a bicycle. Rivka always stated that he came to court her on that bicycle.

19). Rivka Burko as a young woman. Rivka was especially proud of this photo. She kept it on the mantel in her home and on her dresser in her apartment. When visitors came to visit her at home, she took great delight in showing them this picture. She used to say in Yiddish: “Ich been gevan a shana” (I used to be nice looking). My standard response to her was that she was still nice looking. She has asked that this photo be placed on her monument. When I was discussing this with Marilyn Magerman, Joe Okell’s daughter, she remarked that perhaps this represented happier times for Rivka.

20). This photo was taken of Izak Bebczuk as he appeared after one and one-half years of hiding in the forest.