remain a living monument to the war-torn Jewish com- munity of Bialystok. Mr. Rybal met Molly Goldberg, whom he married a short time later. Molly, the daughter of the late Hyman and Jean Goldberg, was also born in Bialystok. Her mother was fluent in several languages; her father was a manager and accountant of a textile factory in Bialystok and later worked as an accountant in Amer- ica. Molly received her education at the Spoleczna Gymnasium, a private school for Jewish children, and in the Bialystok public schools. She came to the United States in 1930, graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn and attended City College of New York. She became a full-fledged bookkeeper in 1941, working until she retired in 1977. She held the position of bookkeeper at the Atalanta Trading Corporation from 1947 until 1968. Things began looking up for Mr. Rybal. He got a job in the printing trade and within two years went to work for the Jewish Daily Forward, where he remained for 24 years, the last fifteen as foreman. Mr. Sohn asked him to take over the responsibility of preparing the Bialystoker Stimme and _ putting together the historic Bialystok Photo Album issued in 1951. These two publications served to keep Bialystoker LOUIS SILVER landsleit, in whatever country they lived, informed about one another and united. Since 1947, Mr. Rybal served on the Home’s Board of Directors, later as its Vice-Chairman and, in 1967, shortly before Mr. Sohn’s death, succeeded him as Gen- eral Secretary. In 1973, Izaak Rybal became the full- time General Secretary of the Bialystoker Center, Home and Infirmary for the Aged. In this position, which he assumed upon his retire- ment from the Forward, he has almost singlehandedly kept the worldwide Bialystoker /andsmanschaft united in deed and spirit. Traveling to Israel, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Uruguay, European coun- tries and various parts of the United States at his own expense, he has strengthened the close ties between our Center and these /andsleit, always bringing contribu- tions back with him. As the editor of the Bialystoker Stimme, he has prepared interesting and literary issues, inviting /ands/eit in distant parts of the world to con- tribute articles about their communities’ activities. Mr. Rybal’s many experiences and memories could fill a volume. The purpose of this article was to share with you glimpses of the life and colorful character of an unusual man. DAVID SOHN, LEADER OF THE LANDSLEIT Davia Sohn was a leader, a distinguished personality that Bialystok produced. He dedicated his life to his /andsleit and to the American Jewish community. As a young man in Bialystok, and later in the United States, he devoted himself to public service. He cared for Bialystokers wherever they lived. Despite the fact that he spent most of his life in America, he never lost touch with Bialystok and its Jews all over the world. For almost fifty years, David Sohn led the Bialy- stoker Center and Home in New York. He was the focal point of landsleit everywhere, a charismatic and compassionate man. He struggled to alleviate the isola- tion of the elderly and calm their fears with a friendly residence where they could feel at home. He personified Bialystoker creativity and initiative to expand and enrich Jewish life everywhere. His death in 1968 came as a blow to all who knew and loved him. Wherever Bialystokers lived, worked and achieved, David Sohn was revered. Respected as a founder of a great institution, he was also loved as a warm friend with roots among the people, who intro- duced a populist spirit to the Bialystoker /andsman- schaft. His relations with individuals were close and The Bialystoker Memorial Book NN DAVID SOHN Writer and Jewish community leader, founder and Executive Director of the Bialystoker Center and Home for the Aged in New York. Died February 10, 1968. informal, his approach to the public sophisticated and forward looking. He loved literature and was highly cultured; a man of the people, he was nevertheless an uncommon man. 177