Member Profile
Michael and Nikolay Pronilover
In the early 1990's the American Jewish community opened their arms to the Jews of Soviet Russia who had been seeking asylum in this country, a place where they could study, learn and practice their religion in surroundings free of bigotry and oppression. Immigration permits were offered to those who desired them but actual financial assistance fell up the shoulders of the American Jewish community for at least the first six months until aid became available to the applicants from the United States government itself. The response throughout the entire country was overwhelming. Jewish communities, large and small, rose to the occasion. From the east coast to the west coast, from the north to the south, from Jewish centers to synagogues, from social groups and private individuals doors were opened, housing was arranged, support was pledged and given to fellow Jews who needed it. What is even more outstanding is that once a Russian family was settled in our midst, that Russian family became a part of the support group for further new applicants.
Nikolay and Michael
About ten years ago, the Pronilover family, Irina and Eduard brought their children, Alina and three year-old twins, Michael and Nikolay, from Moscow to New York to make a new home in America, settling in Los Angeles. Eduard's son, Konstantin, joined them five years later. During the immigration process, Nik was given medication to take for what they thought might be a potential illness, and he had an unexpected reaction to it and a hearing loss resulted.
In October of 1994, the Jewish community steered the family to Temple Beth Solomon and they became members so that Nikolay could attend our religious school and the family could learn more about hearing loss. Eduard brought Nikolay to Temple Beth Solomon faithfully every Sunday and while Nikolay joined in Roz Robinson's class, Eduard sat in with the parents' group and discovered he was not alone in raising a hearing impaired child. Eduard always dreamed that Nikolay together with his twin, Michael, would each have a Bar Mitzvah when the right time arrived.
And now, in 2002, both boys have turned 13 and their B'nai Mitzvah became a reality but not without the concerted efforts of Roz and Peter Robinson, Eduard and Irina and many others. They devised the service, they recorded the portions and rehearsed with both boys. Just before the final rehearsal, Eduard and Irina asked Roz if the boys could get Hebrew names, since they never had that chance in Moscow. So Roz conducted a naming ceremony on the Thursday morning before the Bar Mitzvah. Michael became Mendel ben Shaoul v'Ruth, and Nikolay became Noah ben Shaoul v'Ruth. The rehearsal was rough, it was as if Nik and Michael had forgotten everything they had learned and everyone left the rehearsal with a bit of anxiety-would the boys be ready? But it was as if through giving them their Hebrew names they acquired the power to overcome their stumbling voices and quivering hands and the following Saturday afternoon they were superb!
With Eduard and Irina, the rest of their family, and with what seemed like the entire Russian Jewish community, teachers and counselors who have stood by both boys and their friends, Mendel and Noah were both called to the Torah in honor of the occasion. Michael chanted the Hebrew portions while Nikolay signed the translation. Each made a beautiful speech, explaining his portion and thanking his parents and teachers.
Nikolay was given the option of sitting in the congregation so that he could more easily follow the interpreter but he would not have that. He wanted no lesser Bar Mitzvah than his twin and so he kept an eye on Peter Robinson who was already interpreting for Roz facing the bimah. The other members of the Pronilover family were called up for various portions and when Grandma Feiga chose to speak her part in Russian, explaining that their Russian guests did not speak English, TBS friend, Tatiana, (who grew up in Russia) a well known deaf actress in the Los Angeles deaf community, immediately lipread Feiga's Russian and signed into English for Jan to interpret to the audience. What a wonderful co-operative effort bringing English, Russian and Sign Language together in one event.
It was a very happy occasion punctuated later that evening with a cultural celebration with vodka flowing, dozens of delicious Russian dishes, dancing, singing, speeches and so much warmth. Eduard Pronilover, who is a writer, wrote and sang with Irina and daughter, Alina, a parody to a Russian war song from World War II. A few of the lines read:
It is time to think of the synagogue.More Profiles...
It is time to take a long wise road.
You just cross the Atlantic Ocean like a river.
Be patient! Little by little life will be
stabilized, you should know that!
America is welcoming us and smiling.