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Dorothy
Leshan relates that her mother Sarah was taken once a year by
Sarah's mother Lifsa (or Lissa) to see Sarah's grandfather who
lived in Shlutzk/Slutsk.
The
father of Lifsa/Lissa was known either as "Mota Dayan"
or Mota, the Dayan (Ha'Dayan). Dorothy does not recall which,
but thinks Dayan may have been the actual last name, and not
a title (Dayan = Judge).
Dorothy
Leshan also remembers this grandfather's wife being called "Mother
Dayan", suggesting to her that the family name for Lifsa/Lissa
was in fact "Dayan."
However,
DG of Santa Barbara believes that Lifsa/Lissa is clearly from
the Shulman family, and has provided evidence to suggest that
this too is possible.
Dorothy
related the story of her mother Sarah's annual ride to Shlutzk/Slutsk
in the winter to visit grandfather Mota (the Dayan), in the
time before they came to America. As Dorothy Leshan tells it,
her mother Sarah was sick the whole way there, and the wagon
had to stop constantly as a result. Also, Dorthoy Leshan recalls
(laughing with sympathy) about her Mamma (Sarah) that Sarah
was always seasick, and carsick. Apparently she had a terrible
time coming to America on the ship.
All
of the other siblings of the Harakh family (two brothers and
two sisters) changed their name to Cohen when they arrived in
America, reflecting presumably a family tradition to this effect.
Sarah, arriving already married to Leizer
Leshansky did not ever adopt the Cohen name.
Chaim
was the youngest brother of the five siblings in America. Dorothy
recalls him as very handsome, and quite tall for the time at
5'11". Chaim came first to America, and changed name to
Cohen. All of the other siblings (except Sarah) did the same
when they arrived. Other siblings of Sarah and Chaim were Roda
(became Cohen), Channa (became Cohen) and Yosef (became Cohen).
One
of the children of the next generation was named "Slava"
and there were many others whom Dotty does not recall.
Researcher
DG confirms four children listed at top and adds three more
sons Mendel, Hyman and Sidney. His confirmation of first four
lends credence to his identification of Lifsa as being from
the Shulman family, but the whole thing is a mystery to me at
this moment. In any case Dorothy Leshan specifically names the
four children at the top.
Another
researcher (DG) thinks that Lifsa (Lissa) is from the Shulman
family, and based on that, that Sarah is one of the daughters
of Yeheil Harakh and Lifsa (Lissa) Shulman Harakh (not "Dayan").
If the Shulman family identification is correct then Sarah was
also the sister of Shmuel Harakh, of Shmaryahu Harakh (born
1820 or 1826), and of Malkafia Harakh. (The Harakh name was
later changed to Cohen by some male family members, according
to both Dorothy and DG) That's two boys and two girls. Thus
the sex count of the siblings is consistent also with the number
of siblings of Sarah reported by Dotty, but not with the names.
Dorothy (Dotty) recalls the siblings as "Sarah, Yosef,
Roda, and Chaim" We are left with a puzzle as yet unresolved.
In the absence of an answer I prefer to rely on Dorothy's memory
of her own in-laws names, but am quite open to alternatives
should evidence be found
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