24 Dec The Malavsky Family Choir Story
How Many Bushels Am I Worth – A Personal Connection: my grandfather, my dad, my son.
Bena Shklyanoy’s story of her family’s agonizing decision to flee the USSR and religious persecution by immigrating from Kiev to the US in the 1970’s with the help of the Save the Soviet Jewry movement offers a personal connection for me and my family.
Born near Kiev in 1894, my grandfather, Samuel Malavsky was a full-fledged professional Cantor by the time of his Bar Mitzvah – touring all the major cities in Russia. Shortly before his 18th birthday in the early 1910’s he emigrated to New York in pursuit of his own safety and religious freedom.
About the Malavsky Family Choir
As an apprentice of the world-renowned cantor, Yossele Rosenblatt (also from the Ukraine), my grandfather and Cantor Rosenblatt traveled the US performing Judaic concert tours. Over the years, my grandfather would become the cantor in numerous Orthodox communities throughout the US including Brooklyn. When his children (my Uncle Albert; my Aunts Goldie, Trudie, Ruth and Minnie; and my Dad, Morton) grew up, my grandfather formed The Malavsky Family Choir.
Given Jewish Orthodox restrictions regarding women cantors davening in synagogues, my family would appear instead in rented halls and hotels. They first appeared in San Francisco in 1945, and later throughout the United States, performing cantorial music, Jewish and jazz songs both in Hebrew and in Yiddish. Over their careers, The Malavsky Family performed abroad as well, appearing in Canada, France, England, Cuba and Israel. A lifetime of The MalavskyFamily; Singers of Israel music can be found in the Recorded Sound Archives at Florida Atlantic University.
Immigration for Religious Freedom Still an Issue Today
When I stop and think of my grandfather as a young man fleeing for his personal safety to the US in pursuit of religious freedom – and how Bena some 60 years later was forced to do the same – and how today, more than 100 years since my grandfather’s journey, others find themselves in very similar situations, forced to make the very same impossible, life-altering choices to save themselves and their families from religious persecution – I am filled with various emotions of anger, sadness, and gratitude.
Yet, when I see my son (not much older than my grandfather was when he first arrived to New York) taking full advantage of his own religious freedoms while pursuing his artistic passion – and now in the role of Alex – helping share the How Many Bushels Am I Worth timeless story of family, courage, and faith, I am filled with one, singular emotion: PRIDE.
Hope to see you in January 2020 | Providence and Brooklyn. Learn more about How Many Bushels Am I Worth here.
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Andy -Father of Jake; Son of Mort; and Grandson of Samuel Malavsky
Amy Olson
Posted at 15:35h, 24 DecemberSuch a wonderful connection. I can’t wait to see Jake in the play.
Barry R. Wilans
Posted at 15:48h, 12 SeptemberI know that I am related to the Cantor Malovsky and would like to get in touch with them again. Allow me to explain the situation.
My great grandfather was Beral Malovsky whom I am named after. My grandfather, Cheskel Malovsky came to America through Ellis Island. His name was changed to Jack Wilansky by the officials at Ellis Island. My father’s name was Abraham Wilansky which he later changed to Albert Wilans. According to the records that I have Cheskel was born in 1889 in Charkus Russia. I have forgotten the exact relation. I believe that Beral was an uncle to Cantor Malovsky but I am not sure of the exact relation.
I have a letter written on September 19, 1971 from “Cousin Alta” Malavsky to my Uncle Lou and Aunt Freda Schottenfelf . Freda’s maiden name was Wilansky (my father’s sister). The address was 645 Cross street, Lakewood, New Jersey.
Many years ago we met members of our distant family. I would like to make contact with them again. Is their a way that you could give me their information or you could give them mine. My address is 501 Durham Road, Sayville, NY 11782. You have my email below.
Barry R. Wilans
Posted at 15:50h, 12 SeptemberI know that I am related to the Cantor Malovsky and would like to get in touch with them again. Allow me to explain the situation.
My great grandfather was Beral Malovsky whom I am named after. My grandfather, Cheskel Malovsky came to America through Ellis Island. His name was changed to Jack Wilansky by the officials at Ellis Island. My father’s name was Abraham Wilansky which he later changed to Albert Wilans. According to the records that I have Cheskel was born in 1889 in Charkus Russia. I have forgotten the exact relation. I believe that Beral was an uncle to Cantor Malovsky but I am not sure of the exact relation.
I have a letter written on September 19, 1971 from “Cousin Alta” Malavsky to my Uncle Lou and Aunt Freda Schottenfelf . Freda’s maiden name was Wilansky (my father’s sister). The address was 645 Cross street, Lakewood, New Jersey.
Many years ago we met members of our distant family. I would like to make contact with them again. Is their a way that you could give me their information or you could give them mine. . You have my email below.
Bena
Posted at 18:43h, 12 SeptemberHello, Barry,
Thank you for your comment. I will forward it to the Malavskys and hopefully your families restore the connection.
Shana Tovah!
Bena.