Exodus 1974 by Alex Frishberg

‘In summer 1973, my parents sent me to a camp for a month. A 10-year-old boy, I was away from home for the first time ever. When my dad came to visit me on a weekend, he immediately wondered if I had fun there. I told him the truth, “One of the mates called me a yid and they all began to beat me. Then a camp counsellor came over and asked who initiated the fight, and the guys pointed at me. They went to the cinema and I got detention hours. No, I don’t like it here.” My dad advised me to fight back, “Get someone’s nose smashed and that’s it.” However, on his way back home he made a crucial decision that changed our lives forever. A year later, in 1974, we left the Soviet Union without any idea where we would go and what would happen to us. Before moving, my parents promised to keep correspondence with their best friends in Kyiv no matter what. They kept their word.’
Exodus 1974 is a documentary saga that spans 20 years and consists of letters written by the author’s parents and himself. It is a true story about the immigration of a Jewish family who first went to Vienna, then Rome, and finally settled down in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). It is a meticulous account of the minor obstacles and big challenges they faced on their journey. Thanks to to their tremendous effort and perseverance, they built successful careers and have since enjoyed a good reputation in their new motherland. An easy and engaging read, these memoirs are also of historical value.

About the author:
Alex Frishberg received a B.A. in English language and literature from the University of Missouri and a J.D. from Washington University in St Louis School of Law. Prior to relocating to Ukraine in 1991, he practiced at one of the largest law firms in Washington, D.C. Current managing partner at Frishberg & Partner, he has written several books including Foreigner’s Guide to Ukrainian Women and The Steel Barons.