Ohio Jewish Chronicle. (Columbus, Ohio), 1991-12-19, page 01 |
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I ID v.* (« ll! I? unj.o Misc. Society "Li.br 19a2 Velma Ave. Columbus, Ohio 4 3 211 COMP TW^PFz The Ohio Jewish Chronicle Sepiing Columbus and Central Ohio '' Jewish Community for Over 60 Years VOLUME 69 NUMBER 52 DECEMBER 19,1991 12TEVET57S2 . DEVQTED TO, AMERICAN AND JEWISH IDEALS JCC changes category for membership page.2 1992 Fall Mission chairpersons named page 2 The Blue Box Exhibition *■> page3 Blood Donor Council plans holiday effort page 4 fcjF Campaign reaches $5.5 million * ' "',.' page 8 EARLY DEADLINES ■'' , Thursday, Dec. 26, issue ;; NOON, THURSDAY, DEC. 19 ,'•'-•, Thursday, Jan. 2, issue r ;~rr:A „. NOON, THURSDAY, DEC. 26 ,'14'i r.'The QJC office will be closed on Wednesday, %Pi% '-/ 'Dec; 25, and Wednesday, fan. 1 _«*■ In The Chronicle * AtTfce JCC .,,,.....; ,.... 9, •' Community ............................ 4»7 z . -.* ~, z. - ■ ' ' . > '' , j. j Federation ............. i ;...,•,,,,,»,,»,.,,.• 8 '>Fyo6it'Page_r_;.....,,... A..A, IA ~.\;.';'. A.... . .2 ■ '-.tMttiysleA,^;..."., .A-.,..'Af... '.A..'", •.,'.';.. 10' •Marketplace ♦ «♦,.;,.\,.A-..*..'i'..*...'.'..':.. 11". Scoreboard .v.'.;,',.,,,,..,'."; t'.A.\t..,... 12 Synagogues ./!,'...',',..,.,..'.,',.:.. A.-.*.,,,. ,10 -".Viewpoint • ••.>-•—•»'«< •'<-'•'•....;,,...;,.,*.. 3 LOCAL FEATURE rI7ie Painting Men'-— Two New Americans make their mark 3f. i • By Ina Horwitz Like many New Americans, brothers-in-law Bentsion Bilenko and Edward Dashkovsky left the Soviet Union to come to America for a better life. And like their fellow countrymen, they left their material goods, their jobs, their friends and even family members to start over in a new land. Within two years of their arrival in Columbus, Bilenko and Dashkovsky have become entrepreneurs. About six months ago, they formed their own company, The Painting Men, which does interior/exterior painting for apartments, homes and offices, . According to director of resettlement for Jewish Family Services, Sara Chay, only five families, including Bilenko and Dashkovsky, out of 150 families who have,settled in Columbus in the last three years, are self-employed. The majority are employed as professionals, government workers and in private business. Through the Family Ties program at Jewish Family Services, Attorney Nelson Genshaft and his wife, Carole, became the adoptive family for the Bilenkos when they first, arrived in Columbus. Genshaft refers to their painting business as an American success story. "They really came from nowhere (Tashkent, Uzebkistan) out of Russia and have made something of themselves here," he said. Bilenko added that although Tashkent may not be well- known in this country, its population is twice the size of Columbus. They both own homes, unusual for New Russian Americans, since the concept is hew to them, added Genshaft. Bilenko, 45, holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from a Russian university. In Russia, he was chief of a large construction company, and Dashkovsky, 37, was a construction company supervisor.. As they, step by step, advanced their careers in the Soviet Union, they basically did the same when they came here. Bilenko first worked for one and one-half years as a technician for Ricart Motors and Dashkovsky worked for a plumbing company. They said they had a difficult time at first, because they didn't understand enough about the American free enterprise system. . Since their arrival in May, 1989, they saved their money. It was their goal from the start to own their own business. "With my painting, it is not really different than what I did in Russia," said Bilenko. "We just use different materials and different tools." "Both families seem to be melting into our society very well, and that's good to see," said Genshaft. "We enjoy the work," said Bilenko. "While we have started from a small business, we are moving up. We have been very busy, working 10-14 hours a day," Both wives, also sisters, work, too. Bilenko's wife, Mira, who holds a master's degree from a Soviet university, works in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program for the Columbus Public Schools. She teaches English to other New Americans, including Russians, Chinese and Vietnamese. She and Bilenko, live on the eastside with their two sons, ages' 18 and 19, who attend Ohio State University. The younger one wants to be a doctor of medicine. Dashkovsky's wife, Gina, who was a physician in Russia, is employed by the City of Columbus to translate refugees' medical problems to American doctors. Both men see winter approaching and are concerned about their schedule. They want to remain as busy as possible and would like help from the Jewish community in getting more jobs. They have a special reason for wanting to see their business grow. "As more people settle here from Russia, some with lesser education and qualifications * than we have, we want to be able to teach them," said Bilenko. "I don't think there will be enough jobs for all New Americans." He added that when he came here, he understood little of the English language. If his company prospers, he can hire other new arrivals, he said. If need be, he will translate to them in Russian to assist their progress. He believes that once they have experience, they will be more likely to find jobs with other companies. He also said that as their company gets bigger, it will be able to provide health insurance, which he feels will be of great help to other new Russian Jewish families. .*'" Because the government quota fell short of the maximum 40,000 Soviet Jews in 1991 by 13,000, the Administration has agreed to allow 53,000 Russian people to emigrate to America in 1992. Chay stressed the urgency for the Jewish community to help the more than 100 new arrivals expectedfrom toe Soviet Union to Columbus in 1992. "To help these people means furnishing 35 households, establishing 35 family ties, finding 35 tutors and vocational mentors," said Chay. "Right now, we're short on furniture and volunteers."' Despite all these challenges, however, Bilenko and Dashkovsky continue to stress the importance of the private sector in providing the assistance needed. With that help, people, like them, will always have the opportunity to pursue , the American dream, they noted. Ina Horwitz is a local freelance writer and frequent OJC contributor.
Object Description
Title | The OJC the Ohio Jewish chronicle. (Columbus, Ohio), 1991-12-19 |
Subject | Jews -- Ohio -- Periodicals |
Place |
Columbus (Ohio) Franklin County (Ohio) |
Creator | OJC Pub. Co. |
Collection | Ohio Jewish Chronicle |
Submitting Institution | Columbus Jewish Historical Society |
Rights | This item may have copyright restrictions. Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information |
Type | Text |
File Name | index.cpd |
File Size | 2693 Bytes |
Searchable Date | 1991-12-19 |
Format | newspapers |
LCCN | sn91075643 |
Date created | 2016-10-31 |
Description
Title | Ohio Jewish Chronicle. (Columbus, Ohio), 1991-12-19, page 01 |
Searchable Date | 1991-12-19 |
Full Text | I ID v.* (« ll! I? unj.o Misc. Society "Li.br 19a2 Velma Ave. Columbus, Ohio 4 3 211 COMP TW^PFz The Ohio Jewish Chronicle Sepiing Columbus and Central Ohio '' Jewish Community for Over 60 Years VOLUME 69 NUMBER 52 DECEMBER 19,1991 12TEVET57S2 . DEVQTED TO, AMERICAN AND JEWISH IDEALS JCC changes category for membership page.2 1992 Fall Mission chairpersons named page 2 The Blue Box Exhibition *■> page3 Blood Donor Council plans holiday effort page 4 fcjF Campaign reaches $5.5 million * ' "',.' page 8 EARLY DEADLINES ■'' , Thursday, Dec. 26, issue ;; NOON, THURSDAY, DEC. 19 ,'•'-•, Thursday, Jan. 2, issue r ;~rr:A „. NOON, THURSDAY, DEC. 26 ,'14'i r.'The QJC office will be closed on Wednesday, %Pi% '-/ 'Dec; 25, and Wednesday, fan. 1 _«*■ In The Chronicle * AtTfce JCC .,,,.....; ,.... 9, •' Community ............................ 4»7 z . -.* ~, z. - ■ ' ' . > '' , j. j Federation ............. i ;...,•,,,,,»,,»,.,,.• 8 '>Fyo6it'Page_r_;.....,,... A..A, IA ~.\;.';'. A.... . .2 ■ '-.tMttiysleA,^;..."., .A-.,..'Af... '.A..'", •.,'.';.. 10' •Marketplace ♦ «♦,.;,.\,.A-..*..'i'..*...'.'..':.. 11". Scoreboard .v.'.;,',.,,,,..,'."; t'.A.\t..,... 12 Synagogues ./!,'...',',..,.,..'.,',.:.. A.-.*.,,,. ,10 -".Viewpoint • ••.>-•—•»'«< •'<-'•'•....;,,...;,.,*.. 3 LOCAL FEATURE rI7ie Painting Men'-— Two New Americans make their mark 3f. i • By Ina Horwitz Like many New Americans, brothers-in-law Bentsion Bilenko and Edward Dashkovsky left the Soviet Union to come to America for a better life. And like their fellow countrymen, they left their material goods, their jobs, their friends and even family members to start over in a new land. Within two years of their arrival in Columbus, Bilenko and Dashkovsky have become entrepreneurs. About six months ago, they formed their own company, The Painting Men, which does interior/exterior painting for apartments, homes and offices, . According to director of resettlement for Jewish Family Services, Sara Chay, only five families, including Bilenko and Dashkovsky, out of 150 families who have,settled in Columbus in the last three years, are self-employed. The majority are employed as professionals, government workers and in private business. Through the Family Ties program at Jewish Family Services, Attorney Nelson Genshaft and his wife, Carole, became the adoptive family for the Bilenkos when they first, arrived in Columbus. Genshaft refers to their painting business as an American success story. "They really came from nowhere (Tashkent, Uzebkistan) out of Russia and have made something of themselves here," he said. Bilenko added that although Tashkent may not be well- known in this country, its population is twice the size of Columbus. They both own homes, unusual for New Russian Americans, since the concept is hew to them, added Genshaft. Bilenko, 45, holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from a Russian university. In Russia, he was chief of a large construction company, and Dashkovsky, 37, was a construction company supervisor.. As they, step by step, advanced their careers in the Soviet Union, they basically did the same when they came here. Bilenko first worked for one and one-half years as a technician for Ricart Motors and Dashkovsky worked for a plumbing company. They said they had a difficult time at first, because they didn't understand enough about the American free enterprise system. . Since their arrival in May, 1989, they saved their money. It was their goal from the start to own their own business. "With my painting, it is not really different than what I did in Russia," said Bilenko. "We just use different materials and different tools." "Both families seem to be melting into our society very well, and that's good to see," said Genshaft. "We enjoy the work," said Bilenko. "While we have started from a small business, we are moving up. We have been very busy, working 10-14 hours a day," Both wives, also sisters, work, too. Bilenko's wife, Mira, who holds a master's degree from a Soviet university, works in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program for the Columbus Public Schools. She teaches English to other New Americans, including Russians, Chinese and Vietnamese. She and Bilenko, live on the eastside with their two sons, ages' 18 and 19, who attend Ohio State University. The younger one wants to be a doctor of medicine. Dashkovsky's wife, Gina, who was a physician in Russia, is employed by the City of Columbus to translate refugees' medical problems to American doctors. Both men see winter approaching and are concerned about their schedule. They want to remain as busy as possible and would like help from the Jewish community in getting more jobs. They have a special reason for wanting to see their business grow. "As more people settle here from Russia, some with lesser education and qualifications * than we have, we want to be able to teach them," said Bilenko. "I don't think there will be enough jobs for all New Americans." He added that when he came here, he understood little of the English language. If his company prospers, he can hire other new arrivals, he said. If need be, he will translate to them in Russian to assist their progress. He believes that once they have experience, they will be more likely to find jobs with other companies. He also said that as their company gets bigger, it will be able to provide health insurance, which he feels will be of great help to other new Russian Jewish families. .*'" Because the government quota fell short of the maximum 40,000 Soviet Jews in 1991 by 13,000, the Administration has agreed to allow 53,000 Russian people to emigrate to America in 1992. Chay stressed the urgency for the Jewish community to help the more than 100 new arrivals expectedfrom toe Soviet Union to Columbus in 1992. "To help these people means furnishing 35 households, establishing 35 family ties, finding 35 tutors and vocational mentors," said Chay. "Right now, we're short on furniture and volunteers."' Despite all these challenges, however, Bilenko and Dashkovsky continue to stress the importance of the private sector in providing the assistance needed. With that help, people, like them, will always have the opportunity to pursue , the American dream, they noted. Ina Horwitz is a local freelance writer and frequent OJC contributor. |
Format | newspapers |
Date created | 2009-10-14 |