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The Interviewee

Ms. Rita Bosina

Name: Margarita Bosina

Age: A senior citizen

Where she lives: Germantown, Tennessee

Job: Beautician (Former Fashion Designer)

How old was she when she came to America: N/A

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Timeline

Memphis starts to help Russian Jewish immigrants: 1881
World War Two: 1939-1945
Birth: May 19 (year withheld)
Marriage: The year 1960
Birth of kids:

Igor Bosin- 1st son: July 19, 1961
Slava Bosin- 2nd son: February 16, 1966

Move to America → May 25th, 1979
Another wave of Russian Jewish immigrants move to Memphis: 1979
Life in Memphis- difficult to adjust, but everything worked out: 1979- Now

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Decision to Come to America

Why did you come to America?

I have two sons who were of age to go to the military. It was very dangerous for Jews there. My brother almost died there and I decided to leave in order to save my two sons.

Who came with you?

My parents and my two sons.

If you had a chance to go back, would you? Why or why not?

No! If I left for this reason, why would I go back?

What was the process of your immigration? How did you get here?

A cousin’s wife wasn’t working, so she could stand in lines waiting for the permission to go. There was a Jewish organization called ‘chai-yas’ which helped us get here.

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Resettlement Challenges

Was money a problem?

We paid on are own until we got to Austria where they paid for us.

How did you start your life?

The Wruble and Felt family adopted us.

Was the language an issue? Did you know it?

It was an issue because I learned German, but not English before we moved to America.

Were you homesick or did you leave anyone behind?

I wasn’t homesick. If I was leaving in order to save my sons, it is not a home. I left my two brothers and their families, but they came to Memphis ten years later.

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Reflection on Life in America

What was the biggest shock you had once you came to America?

That people (The Wrubles, Iris Harkavey, and the JCC) cared about us. Also, that in our appartment, everything was for us.

Did you or those who came with you get a job? What was it?

My parents couldn’t work, but we all helped clean houses. (My sons, parents, other Russian friends, and I.)

Was America at all what you expected when you heard about it?

I didn’t expect anything. I just wanted to leave Russia so much that it didn’t matter.

What would you do differently if you had the chance?

I would do the same thing. I would bring my family to Memphis. I love Memphis.

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Her Legacy Part 1:

Bosin Family Tree

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Her Legacy Part 2:

What will be her legacy?

Personally, I have a wonderful connection with Rita Bosina. It is partially because she is my grandmother, but also because she is a wonderful person to be around. She has made a huge impact on all of my family member’s lives. She has taught us many new things that we never knew about. Whenever we need her, she comes running to help us. She is always there, whether we need a ride somewhere or we just need someone to talk to. In the future her legacy will be what she has done in her lifetime not only in Memphis but also in the USSR.

-Avigail Bosin

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Why Immigration is Important

Immigration is vital instrument to any country’s success. In order for that country to grow and prosper, they need to take in skills of other nations. Ms. Bosina is an excellent example of this. She is a beautician and used to be a fashion designer. People would go to her and buy sweaters and other articles of clothing that she had made.

Immigrants also contribute to society by raising a family who are part of that country. Those family members can, in turn, have jobs and help that country. Ms. Bosina has raised an amazing family in Memphis and has become a wonderful addition to the Jewish community as well as all of Memphis.

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