Zhager

"Isaak Mendelson" by Dave Abraham

"I've lived a good life." At 78, Isaak Mendelson has lived longer than most of his generation. What makes Mendelson remarkable and a hero is how he has enjoyed the life he was handed.

Mendelson spent eight years in the Soviet military, five of them on the front lines during World War II. Three bullet wounds and his nose, which curves unnaturally to the left, attest to his service. He recalls upon returning to his native town, Žagarė, Lithuania, "It was like day and night," referring to how all the Jews, including his family, were murdered by their neighbors. In his simple words he continues, "But I only knew Žagarė; where else was I to go?"

Mendelson now has two children and a Catholic wife. He looks to me, an American Jew, to understand there were no Jewish women left to marry. "In town, people greet me first when they enter a room; I am well respected." From the way people acknowledge him, his words are true. From overseas, hundreds visit Mendelson because he is the only living link to a life that no longer exists.

When the worst of Mendelson's life seemed behind him, troubles still remained. Someone broke into his house, demanded gold and shot his wife. Like her husband, she managed to survive; the bullet grazed her head. Since then their lifestyle has changed only slightly; they lock the door.

A good life? What makes Mendelson's story worthy of being told is that he is a contented man. Serving in the trenches of World War II, living amongst the murderers of his family, surviving an assault in his own home and being content seem incongruous, but to Mendelson, they are all part of a good life. What greater hero can one find?

By David Abraham (former Peace Corps Volunteer, Lithuania), 2002

Isaac Mendelson with Mike Cave's mother Betty Cave. Photo taken in 2004.

Isaak Mendelson's grandson, Tomas Mendelson's, Facebook page of current Zagare photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2070928&id=1522655391&l=9638f7c92c

Note: Isaak Mendelson died in Summer 2011.
Here's a link to Roger Cohen's piece in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/opinion/cohen-the-last-jew-in-zagare.html?src=me&ref=general

Here is Rod Friedman's copyrighted photo of Isaak and his wife Aldona.