JFSA’s Holocaust Survivor program has given Mikhail Bratslavsky a supportive community that allows him and his wife, Sophia, to live life to the fullest. Inspired by his Jewish heritage, his family, and the nature that surrounds him, Mikhail is a highly creative and prolific artist who works in leather, acrylics, and other materials.

Born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1938, Mikhail escaped into Russia during World War II as a young child. After surviving the war, he became a chemical engineer, got married, and traveled all over the Soviet Union for work to support his family. Together, they took care of his parents who became ill after the war, and his paralyzed mother-in-law, while raising two children.

The Chernobyl meltdown in 1986 forced Mikhail and his family to abandon their home once again. Four years later, they emigrated to the United States right after their son served in the Soviet army. It was in Cleveland where they created a new home. “It was not an easy life, but our children understood the situation. I was 53 years old when we immigrated. Sophia and I wanted to have a better life, a better future, for our children,” explains Mikhail.

Even after coming to Cleveland, it was not easy. Mikhail could not find work as an engineer, so Sophia took a job as a teller at Ohio Savings Bank to support their family. Eventually, with the help of the Jewish Federation, Mikhail secured a loan to buy a shoe repair business in Cleveland Heights. Working in leather is what sparked his passion for creating art. While successful in business and in sharing his creative talents, he had to retire due to health issues.

That is when Mikhail turned to JFSA for help. As an aging older adult who now relies on a walker, JFSA provides Mikhail skilled care and other essential services, including home cleaning and a medical alert system. However, the support goes beyond practical assistance. Mikhail and his wife also enjoy the monthly activities and special parties organized by JFSA for Holocaust Survivors.

Earlier this year, one of those events involved a tour of an art exhibition showcasing Mikhail’s own work. Mikhail is grateful that he is able to create art, connect with fellow immigrants, maintain his health, and spend time with his children and grandchildren.

“We are happy to live here in Cleveland. It is a good city for living and raising children and with JFSA, and we are not alone,” shares Mikhail. Sophia adds, “Mikhail is very creative and always full of ideas. He knows a lot from his engineering background. While he has had a lot of barriers in life, he is just a positive person and always appreciative. We are both grateful to JFSA. We have a lot of friends now and a full community. With JFSA, they make it easier for us to enjoy life.”