With the Yiddish Writers in Siberia

At the end of March 1949 a number of us were transferred from Camp Zaiarsk to “our” headquarters at Bratsk, Siberia. We were each given two kilo and 400 grams of black bread, four herrings and 60 grams of sugar—our food for the four days’ march.

About 2,000 men and women had assembled at the point of departure. Our way lay through dense forests. The marching columns were surrounded by armed guards, aided by dogs trained to attack any stragglers among the slaves. We ...