What was life like in Jewish communities in Europe before the Holocaust?

Have you ever had one of those days?

“It is with immense sorrow that we announce the passing of our founder Dr. Vladimir “Zev” Zelenko.

My mother's parents came from small shtetles in the vicinity of Grudno and kuvno in czarist russia, emigrating in the 1880's. Her Father became a glazier and a locksmith, fathering 13 children in This ,the "goldener land." the family made many moves, eventually Ending up in the bay ridge section of Brooklyn, New York.

An entire nation of intellect and innovation began with ancient schools emphasizing long passages of memorization and discussion.