Susan (?)1


Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Marriage*1974 Susan (?) married Peter Levine, son of Alvin Levine and Rita Berman, in 1974.1
 

Family

Peter Levine b. 9 Jun 1948
Marriage*1974 Susan (?) married Peter Levine, son of Alvin Levine and Rita Berman, in 1974.1
 
Children

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Stacey Elyse Levine1

b. 29 July 1975

FatherPeter Levine1 b. 9 Jun 1948
MotherSusan (?)1
Stacey Elyse Levine|b. 29 Jul 1975|p13.htm#i386|Peter Levine|b. 9 Jun 1948|p12.htm#i384|Susan (?)||p13.htm#i385|Alvin Levine|b. 2 Sep 1924\nd. 4 Apr 2007|p6.htm#i177|Rita Berman|b. 8 May 1926|p12.htm#i376|||||||

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*29 July 1975 Stacey Elyse Levine was born on 29 July 1975.1 
 She is the daughter of Peter Levine and Susan (?).1 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Laurie Rachel Levine1

b. 24 March 1978

FatherPeter Levine1 b. 9 Jun 1948
MotherSusan (?)1
Laurie Rachel Levine|b. 24 Mar 1978|p13.htm#i387|Peter Levine|b. 9 Jun 1948|p12.htm#i384|Susan (?)||p13.htm#i385|Alvin Levine|b. 2 Sep 1924\nd. 4 Apr 2007|p6.htm#i177|Rita Berman|b. 8 May 1926|p12.htm#i376|||||||

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*24 March 1978 Laurie Rachel Levine was born on 24 March 1978.1 
 She is the daughter of Peter Levine and Susan (?).1 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Louis Levine1

b. 22 April 1907, d. 9 September 2003

FatherJacob Levine b. c 1883
MotherFannie Smith b. c 1885
Louis Levine|b. 22 Apr 1907\nd. 9 Sep 2003|p13.htm#i388|Jacob Levine|b. c 1883|p16.htm#i480|Fannie Smith|b. c 1885|p16.htm#i481|||||||||||||

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*22 April 1907 Louis Levine was born on 22 April 1907.1 
 He was the son of Jacob Levine and Fannie Smith. 
Marriage*7 January 1937 Louis Levine married Frieda Janet Gross, daughter of Shmuel Beryl Gross and Kalie Goldie Kushner, on 7 January 1937.1
 
Death*9 September 2003 Louis Levine died on 9 September 2003 at age 96.1 
Burial* He was buried at Knollwood Park Cem, Ridgewood, Queens Co, NY.1 

Family

Frieda Janet Gross b. 27 Nov 1909, d. 20 Aug 2006
Marriage*7 January 1937 Louis Levine married Frieda Janet Gross, daughter of Shmuel Beryl Gross and Kalie Goldie Kushner, on 7 January 1937.1
 
Children

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Alan David Levine1

b. 29 May 1939

FatherLouis Levine1 b. 22 Apr 1907, d. 9 Sep 2003
MotherFrieda Janet Gross1 b. 27 Nov 1909, d. 20 Aug 2006
Alan David Levine|b. 29 May 1939|p13.htm#i389|Louis Levine|b. 22 Apr 1907\nd. 9 Sep 2003|p13.htm#i388|Frieda Janet Gross|b. 27 Nov 1909\nd. 20 Aug 2006|p4.htm#i101|Jacob Levine|b. c 1883|p16.htm#i480|Fannie Smith|b. c 1885|p16.htm#i481|Shmuel B. Gross|b. 1862\nd. 1956|p4.htm#i91|Kalie G. Kushner|b. 1866\nd. 1935|p4.htm#i92|

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*29 May 1939 Alan David Levine was born on 29 May 1939.1 
 He is the son of Louis Levine and Frieda Janet Gross.1 
Marriage*5 May 1968 Alan David Levine married Laura Shapiro on 5 May 1968.1
 
Marriage*12 December 1976 Alan David Levine married Sandra Lipshutz, daughter of Ned Lipshutz and Sylvia Nabutovsky, on 12 December 1976.1
 
Note* ; Alan D. Levine B.A., political science, City College; M.A. political science, Rutgers University; J.D., Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. 

Family 1

Laura Shapiro b. 11 Apr 1946, d. 3 Mar 1976
Marriage*5 May 1968 Alan David Levine married Laura Shapiro on 5 May 1968.1
 
Child

Family 2

Sandra Lipshutz b. 23 Dec 1942
Marriage*12 December 1976 Alan David Levine married Sandra Lipshutz, daughter of Ned Lipshutz and Sylvia Nabutovsky, on 12 December 1976.1
 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Laura Shapiro1

b. 11 April 1946, d. 3 March 1976

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*11 April 1946 Laura Shapiro was born on 11 April 1946.1 
Marriage*5 May 1968 Laura Shapiro married Alan David Levine, son of Louis Levine and Frieda Janet Gross, on 5 May 1968.1
 
Death*3 March 1976 Laura Shapiro died on 3 March 1976 at age 29.1 
Burial* She was buried at Knollwood Park Cem, Ridgewood, Queens Co, NY.1 

Family

Alan David Levine b. 29 May 1939
Marriage*5 May 1968 Laura Shapiro married Alan David Levine, son of Louis Levine and Frieda Janet Gross, on 5 May 1968.1
 
Child

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Gabriel Benjamin Levine1

b. 2 October 1970

FatherAlan David Levine1 b. 29 May 1939
MotherLaura Shapiro1 b. 11 Apr 1946, d. 3 Mar 1976
Gabriel Benjamin Levine|b. 2 Oct 1970|p13.htm#i391|Alan David Levine|b. 29 May 1939|p13.htm#i389|Laura Shapiro|b. 11 Apr 1946\nd. 3 Mar 1976|p13.htm#i390|Louis Levine|b. 22 Apr 1907\nd. 9 Sep 2003|p13.htm#i388|Frieda J. Gross|b. 27 Nov 1909\nd. 20 Aug 2006|p4.htm#i101|||||||

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*2 October 1970 Gabriel Benjamin Levine was born on 2 October 1970.1 
 He is the son of Alan David Levine and Laura Shapiro.1 
Note* ; Gabriel B. Levine, B.A., film, Columbia College Chicago. 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Sandra Lipshutz1

b. 23 December 1942

FatherNed Lipshutz1
MotherSylvia Nabutovsky
Sandra Lipshutz|b. 23 Dec 1942|p13.htm#i392|Ned Lipshutz||p13.htm#i411|Sylvia Nabutovsky||p13.htm#i412|||||||||||||

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*23 December 1942 Sandra Lipshutz was born on 23 December 1942.1 
 She is the daughter of Ned Lipshutz and Sylvia Nabutovsky.1 
Marriage*12 December 1976 Sandra Lipshutz married Alan David Levine, son of Louis Levine and Frieda Janet Gross, on 12 December 1976.1
 
Note* ; Sandra Lipshutz, B.A, English, Douglass College, M.S; Historic Preservation, Columbia University. 

Family

Alan David Levine b. 29 May 1939
Marriage*12 December 1976 Sandra Lipshutz married Alan David Levine, son of Louis Levine and Frieda Janet Gross, on 12 December 1976.1
 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Karen Beth Levine1

b. 30 March 1942

FatherLouis Levine1 b. 22 Apr 1907, d. 9 Sep 2003
MotherFrieda Janet Gross1 b. 27 Nov 1909, d. 20 Aug 2006
Karen Beth Levine|b. 30 Mar 1942|p13.htm#i393|Louis Levine|b. 22 Apr 1907\nd. 9 Sep 2003|p13.htm#i388|Frieda Janet Gross|b. 27 Nov 1909\nd. 20 Aug 2006|p4.htm#i101|Jacob Levine|b. c 1883|p16.htm#i480|Fannie Smith|b. c 1885|p16.htm#i481|Shmuel B. Gross|b. 1862\nd. 1956|p4.htm#i91|Kalie G. Kushner|b. 1866\nd. 1935|p4.htm#i92|

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*30 March 1942 Karen Beth Levine was born on 30 March 1942.1 
 She is the daughter of Louis Levine and Frieda Janet Gross.1 
Marriage*20 December 1964 Karen Beth Levine married Robert M Feldgus, son of Maurice Feldgus and Sara Brown, on 20 December 1964.1
 

Family

Robert M Feldgus b. 16 Jun 1940
Marriage*20 December 1964 Karen Beth Levine married Robert M Feldgus, son of Maurice Feldgus and Sara Brown, on 20 December 1964.1
 
Children

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Robert M Feldgus1

b. 16 June 1940

FatherMaurice Feldgus
MotherSara Brown
Robert M Feldgus|b. 16 Jun 1940|p13.htm#i394|Maurice Feldgus||p16.htm#i478|Sara Brown||p16.htm#i479|||||||||||||

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*16 June 1940 Robert M Feldgus was born on 16 June 1940.1 
 He is the son of Maurice Feldgus and Sara Brown. 
Marriage*20 December 1964 Robert M Feldgus married Karen Beth Levine, daughter of Louis Levine and Frieda Janet Gross, on 20 December 1964.1
 

Family

Karen Beth Levine b. 30 Mar 1942
Marriage*20 December 1964 Robert M Feldgus married Karen Beth Levine, daughter of Louis Levine and Frieda Janet Gross, on 20 December 1964.1
 
Children

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Kyle Casey Feldgus1

b. before 21 August 1971

FatherRobert M Feldgus1 b. 16 Jun 1940
MotherKaren Beth Levine1 b. 30 Mar 1942
Kyle Casey Feldgus|b. b 21 Aug 1971|p13.htm#i395|Robert M Feldgus|b. 16 Jun 1940|p13.htm#i394|Karen Beth Levine|b. 30 Mar 1942|p13.htm#i393|Maurice Feldgus||p16.htm#i478|Sara Brown||p16.htm#i479|Louis Levine|b. 22 Apr 1907\nd. 9 Sep 2003|p13.htm#i388|Frieda J. Gross|b. 27 Nov 1909\nd. 20 Aug 2006|p4.htm#i101|

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*before 21 August 1971 Kyle Casey Feldgus was born before 21 August 1971.1 
 She is the daughter of Robert M Feldgus and Karen Beth Levine.1 
Marriage*1 June 2003 Kyle Casey Feldgus married Luis Moreno on 1 June 2003.1
 

Family

Luis Moreno b. 1 Jul 1970
Marriage*1 June 2003 Kyle Casey Feldgus married Luis Moreno on 1 June 2003.1
 
Child

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Luis Moreno1

b. 1 July 1970

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*1 July 1970 Luis Moreno was born on 1 July 1970.1 
Marriage*1 June 2003 Luis Moreno married Kyle Casey Feldgus, daughter of Robert M Feldgus and Karen Beth Levine, on 1 June 2003.1
 

Family

Kyle Casey Feldgus b. b 21 Aug 1971
Marriage*1 June 2003 Luis Moreno married Kyle Casey Feldgus, daughter of Robert M Feldgus and Karen Beth Levine, on 1 June 2003.1
 
Child

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Dylan Atticus Moreno1

b. 1 July 2006

FatherLuis Moreno1 b. 1 Jul 1970
MotherKyle Casey Feldgus1 b. b 21 Aug 1971
Dylan Atticus Moreno|b. 1 Jul 2006|p13.htm#i397|Luis Moreno|b. 1 Jul 1970|p13.htm#i396|Kyle Casey Feldgus|b. b 21 Aug 1971|p13.htm#i395|||||||Robert M. Feldgus|b. 16 Jun 1940|p13.htm#i394|Karen B. Levine|b. 30 Mar 1942|p13.htm#i393|

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*1 July 2006 Dylan Atticus Moreno was born on 1 July 2006.1 
 He is the son of Luis Moreno and Kyle Casey Feldgus.1 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Grady Wyatt Feldgus1

b. 14 March 1975

FatherRobert M Feldgus1 b. 16 Jun 1940
MotherKaren Beth Levine1 b. 30 Mar 1942
Grady Wyatt Feldgus|b. 14 Mar 1975|p13.htm#i398|Robert M Feldgus|b. 16 Jun 1940|p13.htm#i394|Karen Beth Levine|b. 30 Mar 1942|p13.htm#i393|Maurice Feldgus||p16.htm#i478|Sara Brown||p16.htm#i479|Louis Levine|b. 22 Apr 1907\nd. 9 Sep 2003|p13.htm#i388|Frieda J. Gross|b. 27 Nov 1909\nd. 20 Aug 2006|p4.htm#i101|

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*14 March 1975 Grady Wyatt Feldgus was born on 14 March 1975.1 
 He is the son of Robert M Feldgus and Karen Beth Levine.1 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Boruch Kushner1

b. 1820, d. circa 1895

Charts Pedigree Chart for Sandra Gross
Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*1820 Boruch Kushner was born in 1820 at Bialystok, Grodno, Russia.1 
Marriage* Boruch Kushner married Itkeh Kalinsky.1
 
Death*circa 1895 Boruch Kushner died circa 1895 at Russia.1 
Burial* He was buried at Russia.1 
Note*  ANCESTRY
There is a story handed down in the GROSS/KUSHNER family which tells of an ancestral grandfather who was the equivalent of the traveling troubador of Spain or the Minstrel of England. In the Jewish communities of Russia this person was called a “BADCHAN”, which is the Yiddish word describing this kind of work. One should also say that this was not a common talent. It was the unusual man who could travel from small village to village, gathering news and presenting it in his own original rhyme, story and song. The badchan also entertained at important celebrations like weddings and bar-mitzvahs. Sometimes he sang along with the musicians who would appear for special occasions, but mostly, he was on his own. He was a very important person whose appearances were looked forward to by the tiny communities he visited. So, in our family on the Kushner side, there is the singing actor, story-teller and entertainer known as Boruch the Badchan. You can read a special story about him in the GROSS/KUSHNER FAMILY HISTORY which we have tried to keep updated at all the Annual Family Gatherings. Ken Gross has a copy as do I. - Alice Brooks Gross. I have edited it for brevity, but not a word of content is changed. Alice Brooks Gross

The Story of Boruch Der Badchen Kushner as told to Harry Goodman by his wife, Sadie Gross, grand-daughter of Boruch. (1967)

This story about Boruch der Badchen was told to me in Yiddish by Sadie Gross. I have translated it and written it in the best English I know. We pass this bit of family history on to our descendants so that everyone may remember this remarkable and talented man and his wife, Itke.

The family of Boruch Kushner and Itke Kalinsky lived in the shtetl of Trestinye, County of Bialystok, State of Grodno, in Czarist Russia. In 1860 Boruch was about forty years old and his wife, Itke, about ten years younger. Boruch der Badchen was a very talented entertainer who was well known and much in demand in all of the towns surrounding Trestinye. He wrote poetry, composed melodies, wrote sad stories as well as happy ones to cheer those who came to celebrate weddings. He was rewarded with a sum of cash which would in today’s money amount to about five dollars. It was, of course, paid in rubles. Boruch was also revered in his synagogue where he led the services on the Sabbath and on special holidays when he served as a lay cantor. This was always without compensation.

At the time of this story, Boruch was married to his third wife, Itke. His first wife died after bearing two children. His second wife bore two children and then they were divorced. Itke had already borne five more of Boruch’s children, making nine in all whom she was caring for. Boruch was always in demand by the surrounding communities and this story starts when he was returning home from a town wedding. It was almost dawn and Boruch realized that before he could rest and sleep after his night’s work, he had to lead his cow to pasture. Perhaps he had too much to drink during the festivities, because instead of going home, he walked into the woods not noticing that he was walking in the wrong direction. He became bewildered as he was not getting near home. He kept walking further into the woods which were so thick and tall that one could hardly see the sky. He couldn’t see a path or a road which would lead him to a farm or a village. He walked all day and all night and realized that he was completely lost. For three days he walked aimlessly in the woods. Each morning he called for help, but there was no answer from anyone.

On the second day, when he didn’t come home, the entire population of Trestinye was aroused and some of the men went out on horseback to look for him. They traveled in many directions, calling him by name, but there was no reply. The people of the town who knew him well didn’t give up. For many days they walked in groups, looking for Boruch der Badchen. He had become exhausted for he had no food. There was plenty of water. On the fourth day he decided to stop wandering and find a place to rest. In a swampy area he found a big tree that was partly cut down. He stepped on it and made his resting place there. In his usual fashion he prayed morning and evening and counted the days as they passed. He continued to shout, but his voice grew much weaker. He was too weak to move on and decided that the tree was a good place to avoid all pests and animals. His feet were bloody and swollen and he tore some of his clothing to cover the wounds on his feet. He hung his high boots on the tree so that if someone passed by he would know that a man had succumbed on this spot. Although there were times he heard dogs barking, nobody came close enough to hear his weakened calls for help.


Meanwhile, the entire area and surrounding towns were alarmed and the story spread although there were no telephones or radios in existence in those days. Everyone knew that a certain well-known Jew went to lead his cow to pasture and disappeared. The peasants were all illiterate, God-fearing Christians who believed that a devil had gotten into this man who couldn’t be found
They were skeptical about finding him, but most of them kept an eye out for him when they went to get their animals from pasture. It took five more days before one man admitted that he thought he heard a weak call from a moaning human being.

The peasant was sure that it was the voice of Boruch, the lost man that everyone was looking for, but he doubted that Boruch was alive, and therefore it had to be a ghost that he heard. The man’s dog barked and Boruch called out, but although this happened a few times, the peasant was convinced that Boruch was dead. How was it possible for a man to be alive after eight days lost in the woods? He was sure it was a ghost he heard and he was afraid to walk in the direction of where he heard the voice. He did not see a man there, he just heard that voice.

The peasant went to the village of Strenkove where Itke’s sister kept an Inn. There he told another man about what he heard in the woods when he went to look for his horses and that he was sure it was the voice of Boruch’s ghost. The chief constable of the area who was also having a drink in the bar observed the two men whispering together and decided to ask what was going on. Did they know something about the disappearance of Boruch der Badchen? They denied knowing anything and the constable warned them that if they didn’t tell the truth they would be arrested for murdering Boruch. The peasant finally confessed that he heard a ghost moaning. “It must be a ghost, not a human being, because it is impossible that after nine days the man should still be alive”, he said.

The constable organized a group of men to go to the exact area where the peasant heard the moaning. The woods were so thick and swampy that they couldn’t walk any further so they chopped down branches from the trees and made a path. Finally, they reached the spot where Boruch was sitting on the tree. He heard them coming and he stood up so they could see him. He was in a horrible condition; his feet were covered by worms and insects. The men took off their clothing, covered him and carried him to the village of Strenkove to the home of his sister-in -law who owned the Inn. A man was immediately sent by horse to the family in Trestinye to notify Itke that Boruch was found alive. After Itke and one of the children came to see that the skeleton of a man who could barely talk was really Boruch, he was taken back to his home by horse and wagon where he was fed by teaspoon, a little bit at a time.

Boruch had once had a strong body and mind and he was determined that he had to recover fully. He and Itke had eight more children after his two year recuperation. He composed many songs about his time being lost in the woods. He never played an instrument, but the people who heard his music loved listening to him. Boruch died in 1895, 35 years after being lost in the woods. He was 75 years old.
Itke refused to emigrate to the United States where most of her family had gone. She died in 1920 after the first World War. It is said that she died of starvation.
 
Note* Boruch , while family records indicate that Boruch and Itkeh actually had six children, we do not know which of the following five children of Boruch were born to Itkeh.
 

Family 1

Itkeh Kalinsky b. c 1828, d. 1920
Marriage* Boruch Kushner married Itkeh Kalinsky.1
 
Child

Family 2
Children

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Henry Scherer1

b. 20 November 1904, d. 2001

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*20 November 1904 Henry Scherer was born on 20 November 1904.1 
Marriage* Henry Scherer married Frances Gross, daughter of Alex Gross and Minnie Levenson.1
 
Death*2001 Henry Scherer died in 2001.1 

Family

Frances Gross b. 12 Aug 1916
Marriage* Henry Scherer married Frances Gross, daughter of Alex Gross and Minnie Levenson.1
 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Leo Drucker1

b. 22 February 1919, d. 24 October 2001

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*22 February 1919 Leo Drucker was born on 22 February 1919 at Newark, Essex Co, NJh. 
Marriage*January 1945 Leo Drucker married Edith Gross, daughter of Alex Gross and Minnie Levenson, in January 1945.1
 
Divorce*1976 Leo Drucker and Edith Drucker were divorced in 1976. 
Death*24 October 2001 Leo Drucker died on 24 October 2001 at age 82.2 

Family

Edith Gross b. 22 May 1924
Marriage*January 1945 Leo Drucker married Edith Gross, daughter of Alex Gross and Minnie Levenson, in January 1945.1
 
Divorce*1976 Leo Drucker and Edith Drucker were divorced in 1976. 
Children

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.
  2. [S12] Oral Communication; Peter Drucker.

Peter Drucker1

b. 14 July 1958

FatherLeo Drucker1 b. 22 Feb 1919, d. 24 Oct 2001
MotherEdith Gross1 b. 22 May 1924
Peter Drucker|b. 14 Jul 1958|p13.htm#i402|Leo Drucker|b. 22 Feb 1919\nd. 24 Oct 2001|p13.htm#i401|Edith Gross|b. 22 May 1924|p6.htm#i172|||||||Alex Gross|b. 10 Jan 1889\nd. 18 Jul 1971|p4.htm#i98|Minnie Levenson|b. 1898\nd. Dec 1941|p4.htm#i107|

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*14 July 1958 Peter Drucker was born on 14 July 1958 at Queens, Queens Co, NY.1 
 He is the son of Leo Drucker and Edith Gross.1 
Marriage*13 March 2006 Peter Drucker married Christopher Beck on 13 March 2006.1
 
Note* Peter received his B.A. Yale 1979, Ph.D. Columbia 1993, profession: translator, author of "Max Shachtman and His Left" (Humanities Press, 1993) and editor of Different Rainbows (GMP, 2000).
 
Residence*2006 Peter lived in 2006 at Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands.1 

Family

Christopher Beck b. 28 Apr 1943
Marriage*13 March 2006 Peter Drucker married Christopher Beck on 13 March 2006.1
 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Christopher Beck1

b. 28 April 1943

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*28 April 1943 Christopher Beck was born on 28 April 1943 at Washington, DC.1 
Marriage*13 March 2006 Christopher Beck married Peter Drucker, son of Leo Drucker and Edith Gross, on 13 March 2006.1
 

Family

Peter Drucker b. 14 Jul 1958
Marriage*13 March 2006 Christopher Beck married Peter Drucker, son of Leo Drucker and Edith Gross, on 13 March 2006.1
 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Robert Drucker1

b. 9 June 1962

FatherLeo Drucker1 b. 22 Feb 1919, d. 24 Oct 2001
MotherEdith Gross1 b. 22 May 1924
Robert Drucker|b. 9 Jun 1962|p13.htm#i404|Leo Drucker|b. 22 Feb 1919\nd. 24 Oct 2001|p13.htm#i401|Edith Gross|b. 22 May 1924|p6.htm#i172|||||||Alex Gross|b. 10 Jan 1889\nd. 18 Jul 1971|p4.htm#i98|Minnie Levenson|b. 1898\nd. Dec 1941|p4.htm#i107|

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*9 June 1962 Robert Drucker was born on 9 June 1962 at NY.1 
 He is the son of Leo Drucker and Edith Gross.1 
Marriage*25 September 1997 Robert Drucker married Lydia Marshall on 25 September 1997.1
 
Residence Robert and Lydia lived at Seattle, King Co, Wa.1 

Family

Lydia Marshall b. 17 Apr 1954
Marriage*25 September 1997 Robert Drucker married Lydia Marshall on 25 September 1997.1
 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Lydia Marshall1

b. 17 April 1954

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*17 April 1954 Lydia Marshall was born on 17 April 1954 at Seattle, King Co, Wa. 
Marriage*25 September 1997 Lydia Marshall married Robert Drucker, son of Leo Drucker and Edith Gross, on 25 September 1997.1
 
Residence* Lydia and Robert lived at Seattle, King Co, Wa.1 

Family

Robert Drucker b. 9 Jun 1962
Marriage*25 September 1997 Lydia Marshall married Robert Drucker, son of Leo Drucker and Edith Gross, on 25 September 1997.1
 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Clarence Bernard Jackson1


Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Marriage*1945 Clarence Bernard Jackson married Barbara Gross, daughter of Alex Gross and Minnie Levenson, in 1945.1
 
Divorce* Clarence Bernard Jackson and Barbara Jackson were divorced.1 

Family

Barbara Gross b. 4 Jul 1928
Marriage*1945 Clarence Bernard Jackson married Barbara Gross, daughter of Alex Gross and Minnie Levenson, in 1945.1
 
Divorce* Clarence Bernard Jackson and Barbara Jackson were divorced.1 

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Itkeh Kalinsky1

b. circa 1828, d. 1920

Charts Pedigree Chart for Sandra Gross
Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*circa 1828 Itkeh Kalinsky was born circa 1828.1 
Marriage* Itkeh Kalinsky married Boruch Kushner.1
 
Death*1920 Itkeh Kalinsky died in 1920 at Russia.1 
Note  ANCESTRY
There is a story handed down in the GROSS/KUSHNER family which tells of an ancestral grandfather who was the equivalent of the traveling troubador of Spain or the Minstrel of England. In the Jewish communities of Russia this person was called a “BADCHAN”, which is the Yiddish word describing this kind of work. One should also say that this was not a common talent. It was the unusual man who could travel from small village to village, gathering news and presenting it in his own original rhyme, story and song. The badchan also entertained at important celebrations like weddings and bar-mitzvahs. Sometimes he sang along with the musicians who would appear for special occasions, but mostly, he was on his own. He was a very important person whose appearances were looked forward to by the tiny communities he visited. So, in our family on the Kushner side, there is the singing actor, story-teller and entertainer known as Boruch the Badchan. You can read a special story about him in the GROSS/KUSHNER FAMILY HISTORY which we have tried to keep updated at all the Annual Family Gatherings. Ken Gross has a copy as do I. - Alice Brooks Gross. I have edited it for brevity, but not a word of content is changed. Alice Brooks Gross

The Story of Boruch Der Badchen Kushner as told to Harry Goodman by his wife, Sadie Gross, grand-daughter of Boruch. (1967)

This story about Boruch der Badchen was told to me in Yiddish by Sadie Gross. I have translated it and written it in the best English I know. We pass this bit of family history on to our descendants so that everyone may remember this remarkable and talented man and his wife, Itke.

The family of Boruch Kushner and Itke Kalinsky lived in the shtetl of Trestinye, County of Bialystok, State of Grodno, in Czarist Russia. In 1860 Boruch was about forty years old and his wife, Itke, about ten years younger. Boruch der Badchen was a very talented entertainer who was well known and much in demand in all of the towns surrounding Trestinye. He wrote poetry, composed melodies, wrote sad stories as well as happy ones to cheer those who came to celebrate weddings. He was rewarded with a sum of cash which would in today’s money amount to about five dollars. It was, of course, paid in rubles. Boruch was also revered in his synagogue where he led the services on the Sabbath and on special holidays when he served as a lay cantor. This was always without compensation.

At the time of this story, Boruch was married to his third wife, Itke. His first wife died after bearing two children. His second wife bore two children and then they were divorced. Itke had already borne five more of Boruch’s children, making nine in all whom she was caring for. Boruch was always in demand by the surrounding communities and this story starts when he was returning home from a town wedding. It was almost dawn and Boruch realized that before he could rest and sleep after his night’s work, he had to lead his cow to pasture. Perhaps he had too much to drink during the festivities, because instead of going home, he walked into the woods not noticing that he was walking in the wrong direction. He became bewildered as he was not getting near home. He kept walking further into the woods which were so thick and tall that one could hardly see the sky. He couldn’t see a path or a road which would lead him to a farm or a village. He walked all day and all night and realized that he was completely lost. For three days he walked aimlessly in the woods. Each morning he called for help, but there was no answer from anyone.

On the second day, when he didn’t come home, the entire population of Trestinye was aroused and some of the men went out on horseback to look for him. They traveled in many directions, calling him by name, but there was no reply. The people of the town who knew him well didn’t give up. For many days they walked in groups, looking for Boruch der Badchen. He had become exhausted for he had no food. There was plenty of water. On the fourth day he decided to stop wandering and find a place to rest. In a swampy area he found a big tree that was partly cut down. He stepped on it and made his resting place there. In his usual fashion he prayed morning and evening and counted the days as they passed. He continued to shout, but his voice grew much weaker. He was too weak to move on and decided that the tree was a good place to avoid all pests and animals. His feet were bloody and swollen and he tore some of his clothing to cover the wounds on his feet. He hung his high boots on the tree so that if someone passed by he would know that a man had succumbed on this spot. Although there were times he heard dogs barking, nobody came close enough to hear his weakened calls for help.


Meanwhile, the entire area and surrounding towns were alarmed and the story spread although there were no telephones or radios in existence in those days. Everyone knew that a certain well-known Jew went to lead his cow to pasture and disappeared. The peasants were all illiterate, God-fearing Christians who believed that a devil had gotten into this man who couldn’t be found
They were skeptical about finding him, but most of them kept an eye out for him when they went to get their animals from pasture. It took five more days before one man admitted that he thought he heard a weak call from a moaning human being.

The peasant was sure that it was the voice of Boruch, the lost man that everyone was looking for, but he doubted that Boruch was alive, and therefore it had to be a ghost that he heard. The man’s dog barked and Boruch called out, but although this happened a few times, the peasant was convinced that Boruch was dead. How was it possible for a man to be alive after eight days lost in the woods? He was sure it was a ghost he heard and he was afraid to walk in the direction of where he heard the voice. He did not see a man there, he just heard that voice.

The peasant went to the village of Strenkove where Itke’s sister kept an Inn. There he told another man about what he heard in the woods when he went to look for his horses and that he was sure it was the voice of Boruch’s ghost. The chief constable of the area who was also having a drink in the bar observed the two men whispering together and decided to ask what was going on. Did they know something about the disappearance of Boruch der Badchen? They denied knowing anything and the constable warned them that if they didn’t tell the truth they would be arrested for murdering Boruch. The peasant finally confessed that he heard a ghost moaning. “It must be a ghost, not a human being, because it is impossible that after nine days the man should still be alive”, he said.

The constable organized a group of men to go to the exact area where the peasant heard the moaning. The woods were so thick and swampy that they couldn’t walk any further so they chopped down branches from the trees and made a path. Finally, they reached the spot where Boruch was sitting on the tree. He heard them coming and he stood up so they could see him. He was in a horrible condition; his feet were covered by worms and insects. The men took off their clothing, covered him and carried him to the village of Strenkove to the home of his sister-in -law who owned the Inn. A man was immediately sent by horse to the family in Trestinye to notify Itke that Boruch was found alive. After Itke and one of the children came to see that the skeleton of a man who could barely talk was really Boruch, he was taken back to his home by horse and wagon where he was fed by teaspoon, a little bit at a time.

Boruch had once had a strong body and mind and he was determined that he had to recover fully. He and Itke had eight more children after his two year recuperation. He composed many songs about his time being lost in the woods. He never played an instrument, but the people who heard his music loved listening to him. Boruch died in 1895, 35 years after being lost in the woods. He was 75 years old.
Itke refused to emigrate to the United States where most of her family had gone. She died in 1920 after the first World War. It is said that she died of starvation.
 

Family

Boruch Kushner b. 1820, d. c 1895
Marriage* Itkeh Kalinsky married Boruch Kushner.1
 
Child

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

(?) Unknown


Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Marriage* (?) Unknown married Paula Berman.
 

Family

Paula Berman b. 16 May 1951
Marriage* (?) Unknown married Paula Berman.
 

Jacob Levine1

b. circa 1866

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*circa 1866 Jacob Levine was born circa 1866.1 
Marriage*circa 1890 Jacob Levine married Masha (Mary) Wolff circa 1890.1
 
Cen-Head*15 April 1910 Jacob Levine is head of household on the census of 15 April 1910 at E 102th St, Manhattan, New York Co, NY, recorded 1910, as Jacob Levene age listed 44 occupation Carpenter Born in Russia Father born in Russia Mother born in Russia, Emigrated 1904. Enumerated with Masha (Mary) Wolff, Ida Levine, Morris Levine, Alice Levine and Sarah Levine.2 

Family

Masha (Mary) Wolff b. c 1870
Marriage*circa 1890 Jacob Levine married Masha (Mary) Wolff circa 1890.1
 
Children

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.
  2. [S5] Census Record; T624.1015, Page 3A, Dwell 52.

Masha (Mary) Wolff1

b. circa 1870

Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth*circa 1870 Masha (Mary) Wolff was born circa 1870 at Bialystok, Grodno, Russia.1 
Marriage*circa 1890 Masha (Mary) Wolff married Jacob Levine circa 1890.1
 
Cen-Head15 April 1910 Masha (Mary) Wolff is enumerated on the census of 15 April 1910 at E 102th St, Manhattan, New York Co, NY. in the household of Jacob Levine as Mary Levene age 40. Born Russia, married 20 years, had 6 cchildren and 5 are still living; 1910.2 

Family

Jacob Levine b. c 1866
Marriage*circa 1890 Masha (Mary) Wolff married Jacob Levine circa 1890.1
 
Children

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.
  2. [S5] Census Record; T624.1015, Page 3A, Dwell 52.

Ned Lipshutz1


Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth* Ned Lipshutz was born.1 
Marriage* Ned Lipshutz married Sylvia Nabutovsky.
 

Family

Sylvia Nabutovsky
Marriage* Ned Lipshutz married Sylvia Nabutovsky.
 
Child

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Sylvia Nabutovsky


Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth* Sylvia Nabutovsky was born. 
Marriage* Sylvia Nabutovsky married Ned Lipshutz.
 

Family

Ned Lipshutz
Marriage* Sylvia Nabutovsky married Ned Lipshutz.
 
Child

Samuel Berman1


Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth* Samuel Berman was born.1 
Marriage* Samuel Berman married Ada Smushin (Smith).1
 

Family

Ada Smushin (Smith)
Marriage* Samuel Berman married Ada Smushin (Smith).1
 
Child

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.

Ada Smushin (Smith)1


Last Edited 16 Dec 2007

Birth* Ada Smushin (Smith) was born.1 
Marriage* Ada Smushin (Smith) married Samuel Berman.1
 

Family

Samuel Berman
Marriage* Ada Smushin (Smith) married Samuel Berman.1
 
Child

Citations

  1. [S12] Oral Communication; Alice Brooks Gross.