Ben+Za's+Oral+History+Reflection

Topic- Life in the Soviet Union during the Cold War

Interview subjects: Yelena Veisman and Inna Veysman (my mom and my grandma)

Growing up in the United States and learning the Cold War from a mostly American perspective, I never really understood what life was like during the Cold War from the perspective of someone living in the Soviet Union. I understood what I was told about what life was like, but hearing the reactions and thoughts of people who actually lived through this time period helped me grasp the reality of how different life was in the Soviet Union. I was surprised at a lot of what I heard, and simply appalled by the anti-Semitism of the Soviet people. I also realized how little freedom and control individuals had under the communist government.

I can truly see what inspired my family to come to the U.S.: the preposition of economic prosperity, religious freedom, and the ability to build a better life. Although my family had good jobs in the Soviet Union, they were not able to prosper fully because the government wouldn't let them, for several reasons. In the Soviet Union, Jewish people were oppressed strongly, both politically and socially, and it was important to come to America for my family because they would find more acceptance among the people, and be able to connect with other Jews more freely. Finally, because the government had control over almost all aspects of life, it was tough for my family to build a good life without interference from the government. This interview really made me feel glad about growing up in America, where you are free to seek the life you choose, and you are not persecuted for your religion.