Historical March 1983 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
“The land of the free and home of the brave” has been fertile ground for many newcomers during our nation’s history.
But the arrangement has been far from a one-sided deal. America herself has become a richer land of traditions and people as a result.
The sacrifice of leaving one’s homeland to start anew continues in one of the city’s West End neighborhoods — DeBaliviere Place. Over 70 Russian families have settled in three neighboring apartment buildings on Pershing between Union and DeBaliviere and have begun working toward their piece of the American pie.
Although the majority of families are retirement age or older, DeBaliviere Place has also become home for several young professional people from the U.S.S.R. “Language is the only barrier that some of the New Americans experience here, says Bruce Yampolsky, DeBaliviere Place professional manager for governmentsubsidized apartments, “but basic education and English language classes are offered for the residents right here and are subsidized by the federal and state governments.
Although I didn’t start out speaking Russian,” the manager says, “I’ve learned enough to communicate, and have been able to socialize with some of the families.” Yampolsky, who has a background in social work, has also been able to assist the Russians on a personal level in several cases. “The three adjoining buildings on Pershing, 5528, 5536 and 5540, really represent a very cosmopolitan area,” the manager goes on. “Not only are there Russians – we also have one Spanish family and another from England.
And like in the U.S., there are many styles of regional cooking in Russia, too.
To smell the aroma of cooking from some of the apartments is really something,” Yampolsky says. Immigrating from Russia to the U.S. can be a tedious and time-consuming process that may mean as many as four stops before reaching the point of final destination, according to Spiana, a DeBaliviere Place resident who now teaches English as a second language in the University City School District.
The New Americans arrive with few possessions and very little money because of strict government regulations in the U.S.S.R., she explains.
And one of the things she misses most is her extensive library she was forced to leave behind in Russia. “Russians who immigrate, first go to Austria, then Rome.
In my own case, I came to St. Louis directly from Rome, but did not move to DeBaliviere Place until later,” states Spiana. “My husband, mother and • 11-year-old son are here with me now, but I still have some family in Russia, like my brother. “We communicate through letters,” Spiana says, “and when the phone rates are cheaper we can also talk on the telephone.
I still get homesick, but people here have been very kind for the most part.
In Russia I was an English teacher, and studied linguistics at the university in my home town of Chernigove, in the Ukranian region.
Because I read many American and English books, I did not experience much culture shock.
In fact, learning how to drive a car has been my biggest challenge so far. “In Russian schools the students are taught world history, which includes American history and literature,” Spiana continues. “My son, who now attends New City School, has adjusted very well and wants to become an American in every way — just like his friends.
The story of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain has always been one of his favorites.
But I would still like him to have an awareness of his own culture and language.
We still speak our native language at home and read Russian books and magazines.
And while we are very comfortable here in DeBaliviere Place, we still think about home.” Since coming to America Spiana says she has enjoyed the freedom of openly worshiping as a Jew. “In Russia the government teaches that we should have no religion and be atheists,” she explains, “so you have to be very careful to not reveal that you are Jewish.
But here, it is very different.
The New Americans are learning they can speak Yiddish openly if they want to, and tell people they are Jewish, if they want to. You cannot do that in Russia.” Ilya, his wife Lucy, and their two children, ages 14 and 7, have lived in Olivette for the past four years.
On a recent visit to his parents, who live in DeBaliviere Place, Ilya spoke to us and translated for his mother, who is shy about giving her name and speaking English. “Since my parents have come, it is difficult for them to start over again.
My father has probably adjusted better than my mother because she cannot really speak English.
We are very glad to be here and experience life in the U.S., but feel that Americans should know more about Russia.
For instance, people who know I am Russian ask me if I like the weather in St. Louis when it gets cold.
I have to laugh though, because it is not always cold in Russia, and we come from a region known as White Russia, not Siberia. “When I first came to University City, it was April 25, a beautiful day,” Ilya goes on. “People would speak, and we are very polite people, but we could not understand what they were saying. I could only respond with a silly smile on my face, but we were gradually able to learn English.
We think of Rome almost as a second home since we spent five months there between Russia and the U.S.
Because we spent 11 days in Austria too, we did not really experience culture shock, although life here is very different,” he explains. “While religious freedom has been a primary reason for people coming here, many of us want to come for a better life.
We learned much about life in American from movies and books, and are very interested in American culture.
We watch the cowboy movies and many Russians like to wear blue jeans and cowboy hats. Jeans made in the U.S.A. are very expensive in Russia. You may have to pay as much as $200 for them in Russia.
And since American cowboy hats are different from those the Russian cowboys wear, at home they try to adapt Russian hats by rolling up the sides.
In Russia we have no horror movies like here, but maybe that is okay. People who watch them may get violent ideas.
In Russia we have no pornography either, because the government does not allow it.
All of the young people like to listen to American rock music like the Beatles or Rolling Stones.
Some of the older people like it too, but my mother calls it noisy.” Ilya and his family say they are amazed by the number of fast food restaurants here and find it strange that the food available in such establishments always looks like some kind of sandwich. Ilya explains that in Russia there is no such thing as asking for food “to go.” Russians eat their food in the restaurant. “If you should ask a waiter in Russia for a doggie bag,” Ilya says, “he is likely to call you a cheapskate and throw your food away. Ilya’s family spends more time reading than watching TV, unlike their American counterparts, he observes. “We have some pretty good programs on TV in Russia, but it’s mostly like Channel 9 without Sesame Street.” Because U.S.-Soviet relations have become somewhat strained in recent months since Premier Andropov came to power, the Russian government has cut off immigration to the West.
When immigration will resume is only speculative, say informed observers.
But for those who are already here, overcoming obstacles of a foreign language, culture and new surroundings continues to be a challenge.
The majority of New Americans living in DeBaliviere Place are optimistic about making a new life, says Regina Dub, a social worker with the Jewish Family and Children’s Service in St. Louis.
Mrs. Dub has worked with all of the DeBaliviere Place Russian families, helping them find housing, apply for food stamps, understand rules established by the apartment management, and generally lending a helping hand. “Many of the families have made good progress and are doing well with the help of the government,” she explains. “Most of them had realistic expectations about life in the U.S. Of course some may have been told that the streets were paved with gold and became disappointed.
But they are working very hard to reach their goals.
They are very proud people who have learned to stretch a dollar, and are very resourceful as well.
They had to go through a lot to come this far.
But now that they are here, we make sure that they are not forgotten.”
Originally published in The Paper, March 1983.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1983_03.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 5; PDF page(s) 1, 5.
