I am very grateful to Judy Patkin, Executive Director of Action For Post-Soviet Jewry and to Sheila Galland, its Community Liaison Officer for helping me with valuable comments and suggestions. Special thanks to Barbara Palant a great resource person. She helped me find an illustrator in the late artist Raphael Bouganim, who was able to create a cover that expressed just the right feeling for me.

My deepest appreciation goes to Joan Brayton for helping translate this book into English. I would also like to thank my late dear friend, Sally Sandler, for all her time and dedication in guiding me through the process of preparing the book.

For their valuable ideas, suggestions, continual support and inspiration, I would like to thank my dear relatives Aron and Eugenia Katsenelinboigen. My thanks also to my brother Peter and to all of my friends who are too many to list here.

And finally I would like to extend my gratitude to Libby Klemer, Yelena Sadigyrski, Joan Shildneck, Sylvia Klion Disenhof, Margaret Nokes and Shirley Newman for participating in the completion process and preparation for the publication of my story. And to Ian and Dominic Stolerman for making the electronic publication of this book possible.

From the bottom of my heart I also would like gratefully to acknowledge all refuseniks who preceded and followed me in my struggle. Together we paved the way for the massive exodus of Jews from the USSR that began in the 1970’s.

This book records my own experience, which is the only truth I know.

Galina Nihznikov