Personal history by Israel Holdengraber <iholden@bpi.com.il> by email on Dec. 14, 2000.
Elia was cousin to Israel
In 1941 while in exile Rudi was recruited to forced labor by the Romanians (allies to the Germans). Then after the Russians advanced Westwards, he was recruited to the Russian Army as a soldier in a building detachment.
When the war was over they returned to Chernowitz they were dispossessed almost entirely of their home and belongings by the Russians. So, they crossed the border back to Suceava, Romania to live in a rented house near the old parent's house where Uncle Avraham (Bum) lived.
