New-York tribune., 1901-03-17
CONVERTED TO JUDAISM.
A RUSSIAN FAMILY OF FIVE COME TO
AMERICA TO BECOME HEBREWS.

The Jewish community of the East Side is
growing steadily, and the advent of family
Of five is not looked upon thing of much
Importance Still, a little stir was caused by the
arrival of Ivan Ivanovitch Prachavcnko, his
wife and three children. The high sounding
name had nothing to do with the interest in the
family, because what the Russian peasant lacks
in education and worldly goods he makes up in
name Ivan Ivanovitch and his family were
members Of the Russian church when they land
cd in this country few weeks ago but the fact
that they came here in order to become Jews
ana join Jewish community made them oh
jccts Of interest to the people who heard Of their
Intention
They came from Ragatchcn in the Provinc
of Mogihilef, where they owned and worked a
small farm. For years the sturdy Russian. a
handsome Specimen OF manhood. thirty six
years old but older in appearance because If his
great full beard. had Wavcrcd in his belief. He
read the Bible and tried To overcome his scepti-
Cism, but failed, and six years ago he sought
the companionship of Jews and clandestineiy in
troduced Jewish dietary rules into his house
hold. According to his own story which was
interpreted by Dr. Blaustein. OF the Educational
Alliance he determined five years ago to re
nOunce his faith ana become a Jew For four
years he spent the Passover time in the house
oI Il jew ifplI NJ ana ms most TOOK great IlShS
but he persisted. and he succeeded in keeping
the knowledge of his backsliding from the Off
cas.
"One day" he said "a government official
came to my house. and seeing the place empty
where the Ikon should have hung he asked:
Where is your God? My God is in heaven 1
answered The man looked at me in wonder.
and then said: If that is you should so To
America-ths is place for you This gave
hint. l made up my mind / would come
here. To have become "A Jew in my country
would have meant prison for life for and
the disruption Of my family. So. gradually l
sold out my belongings and came here
Although the and his wife were prepared
to join the Jewish community at once on arrival
in New York, they found many obstacles placed
in their way. The family was allowed to re-
main at the Hebrew Shelterng House and
Home No. 2l0 MaIison-st., but, true to the
custom of the Jews. men were sent to the immi-
grants for the purpose of dssuadng them.
We want no one in our congregation who
thinks that only Jews may he saved" said one
of the rabbs to him, "and you must know that
look with suspicion upon any man who leaves
the faith of his fathers To join another. BE IA
good man. good citizen. good father and
husband do your share Of charity and carry the
fear of God with you everywhere and worship
as your fathers did before YOU and you will be
just welcome here as if you became MEM
Der Of community"
Women and children also told the newcomers
OF the disadvantages under which they would
labor if they became Jews, but after several
weeks the arrivals remained unshaken in
their determination, and last Sunday the father,
his son Vladimir, aged eight: his Alexander
three years old, Well the wife and daugh-
ter, taken into the Jewish community, the
rites being performed by the Rabbis Yaches,
Bayefsky and Lubelsky in the presence of Drs.
1saacs and Goldberg, and several prominent
Hebrews of the East Side After the ceremony
ele father received the name Abraham, and
when asked the of his father so that il
might be recorded, he answered. Il am the son
of Abraham" Thus his name was changed from