Person:Anna Berman (1)

Anna Berman Asimov proved to be a talented actress, according to the written recollections of her husband, Judah (Jack) Asimov.

In 1917, Judah wrote, "For the first show, they selected a play by the name of “Family Zvi,” by [the well-known Yiddish playright] David Pinsky. ... We played as amateurs in more than 10 plays, and we were so good that people used to come from the surrounding villages and towns to see us play. Mamma [Anna Berman Asimov] even played in Jacob Gordon’s play (“CHASIE DI YETOME”) while she was in her seventh month with a baby that we later named Isaac. And nobody could have told that she was pregnant at that time.

[Note: Jacob Gordon – also spelled Gordin -- (1853-1909), was regarded as one of the greatest playwrights of the Yiddish American theater, circa 1895 in NY. His most successful play was “The Jewish King Lear,” about a pious immigrant father abused by his heartless American-born daughters. He also wrote “ Mirele Efros” (1898), known as The Jewish Queen Lear, and “God, Man and Devil” (1900), based on the story of Faust.]

"Mamma learned her lines easily, and she did not depend on the box man who used to read in a low voice so that the players did not make mistakes. For some, it was no help at all. But Mamma did not need anybody’s help. She learned the lines and did not make any mistakes because she used to live the life of Pesenue, the pious wife of Hershele Dubrovner in “Got, Mentsh un Teifl” [“God, Man and Devil”]. I am reminded now that she was the best. She never imitated anything, and when it came to laughter she was always first. She used to inspire the whole crowd."

[Note: The play “Got, Mentch un Teifl” “explores whether or not a good and pious man will be corrupted by money. Satan makes a wager with God that he can tempt Hershele Dubrovner—a poor, religious Torah scribe—by handing him a lottery ticket which will win a fortune. Satan then disguises himself and becomes Hershele’s business partner, advising Hershele to open a tallis [prayer shawl] factory and hire the community men to work for a pittance. The disguised Satan also tells Hershele to divorce his barren wife of 22 years [Pesenue] and marry the young and beautiful niece that Hershele and his wife had raised. Hershele follows all of the advice he is given—and in the process destroys his family, his friendships, and any spiritual values he once had. He learns that life holds no remedies for the damage he has caused.” And the story ends tragically.”]

Anna was born just one block away from Judah, on an opposite corner. In his written recollections, Judah also writes that Anna's mother was the second wife of Anna's father, Isaac Berman. Isaac had "some sons and a daughter, from which I knew two David and Uncle Joseph. I have heard about another son, Mordechai."

Judah also writes, Anna had "three brothers all younger than her." He refers to Anna as the "little sister" of Mordechai.

He says that her older brother, Joseph, had left Petrovichi when Ann was a baby.

The manifest of the Baltic (arriving from Liverpool) lists the family as follows: Juda, Hana Rochel, Aisik & Manis Asimy. It says they are from Petrowitschi.

Here's a bit about the ship: BALTIC 1903 The BALTIC was a 23,876 gross ton ship built in 1903 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast for the White Star Line. Her details were - length 709.2ft x beam 75.6ft, two funnels, four masts, twin screw and a speed of 17 knots. There was accommodation for 425-1st, 450-2nd and 2,000-3rd class passengers. Launched on 21st Nov.1903, she sailed from Liverpool on her maiden voyage to New York on 29th Jun.1904. In 1909 she rescued survivors of the collision between the REPUBLIC and the FLORIDA off the US coast, in which the REPUBLIC sank. On 12th Dec.1918 she commenced her first voyage after the Armistice, from Liverpool to New York and in 1927 her accommodation was altered to carry 393-cabin class, 339-tourist class and 1,150-3rd class passengers. On 17th Sep.1932 she commenced her last voyage from Liverpool to New York and Liverpool and on 17th Feb.1933 sailed for Osaka, Japan where she was scrapped. [North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P.Bonsor, vol.2,p.763]

1. ↑ Nanette Asimov.
2. ↑ Nanette Asimov.