From Yampol to Beltsi

Soroca Iasi 

Crossing the Dniester River between the Ukraine and Bessarabia had to be done by boat, that is why most Jews fleeing Russia at the turn of the century (19th-20th) went the northern route through Warsaw. The Cossacks were the primary enforcers of the "stay at home" policy of the Czar. They were (and are) ethnic Ukrainians.

Meyer and Ephraim narrowly missed being captured by Cossacks outside of Yampol in one of the many episodes of their journey through Europe. While Bessarabia (now Moldava) was under Russian control, the "enforcers" were the Russian Army and the police-both easily bribed or avoided through devious means, including false papers.

After near capture they were assisted by a boatman to cross the Dniester to Soroca. As the small boat approached the town the white fortress came into view.

Soroca Fortress from Dniester Today 

 Meyer and Ephraim rode from Soroca to Beltsi on a wagon, thus avoiding the Spring mud that they faced when on foot. Arriving in Beltsi, they were given sanctuary at a Romanian Orthodox church.

Holy Protectress Cathedral (today)

Out of Podolia

Meyer and Ephraim married sisters, Rachel and Bess, in a synagogue in Pogrebishche.

1847 sketch by Napoleon Orda (negative)

Their first contact was with Rabbi Friedman at the synagogue in Vinnitsa

Vinnitsa Synagogue 1903

Rabbi Friedman gave the men provisions and sent them to the next stop, Rabbi Solomon in Zhmerynka

The next stop was to find a Trotskyite in Sharhorod. The synagogue was not where they would meet, but in "Haus des Juden" the Jewish Community Center.

Jew House Sharhorod 1903

From Sharhorod the brothers went to Chernivtsi to the Dov Inn at the sign of a bear (dov). After spending several days working at the Inn for food and lodging they continued to Yampil on the Dniester River where they could cross to Sorocco in Bessarabia.

Journey 1 Out of Ukraine