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Part One: The Foundations of the Volftsun Family 45 This not-so-latent anti-Semitism and the tension between his successful military career and his heritage always weighed on Iosif, for his father had always encouraged the children, especially Iosif, to be faithful and observant. When Iosif was a young man, this advice did not come easily. "I told my father 'I believe in God, but I cannot practice, I cannot go to the synagogue,'" Iosif recalls. Shlomo was not angry. "One day, my son, you will be called to the Torah." Shlomo told Iosif to wait for a Jewish girl to marry. "Where can I find a Jewish girl?" Iosif asked. "Don't worry," Shlomo said, "be patient." One Sunday, Iosif was on the train to Belgrade on official business. He was in his Air Force uniform, idly chatting with his fellow passengers in the train compartment, when Above: This diploma certifies that Volsun Iosif Shlemovich in 1954 enrolled in the Prof. N.E. Zhukovsky Air Force Academy of Engineers and in 1959 completed the full course of study in the field of maintenance of aircra and engines. On August 22, 1959, Volsun I.Sh. was awarded the qualification of mechanical engineer. Chairman of the State Examination Board - Maksimov; President - Volkov; Secretary - Butenko. Moscow 1959. Registration No. 15. Facing Page: Iosif in Volsk, on the Volga River, 1950, photographed as a lieutenant. one man leaned in close and asked if they could speak. Iosif nodded. In Yiddish, the man asked Iosif, "Are you a Jew?" Iosif hesitated before answering. Could he trust the man? But by using Yiddish, the man put himself at risk, so Iosif decided to trust him and said yes. "I am a Jew," the man said. "I have a daughter. I have a mill and a good business. Will you marry my daughter? We can go now." Iosif was astounded. "I cannot. I have a family, a father and a mother, and sisters. Do you know what would happen to them if I married your daughter? They would disappear to Siberia." Iosif would have to wait a bit longer for his Jewish bride.

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