Pinchas Reif

Date of birth

05/04/1915

Czernowitz, Romania

Name of father, occupation

Moses Reif

Maiden name of mother, occupation

Sofia

Immediate family (names, birth order)

Parents and eight or nine children

Who survived the Holocaust?

Only three survived, Pinchas, and his brothers, Jacob and Leon

Where did you go after being liberated?

Pinchas and his wife, Klara, moved from Czernowitz to Ploesti, Romania. The majority of his family members left for Bucharest, Romania, Ploesti nearby. Pinchas’ brother Leon lived in Ploiesti

When did you come to the United States?

1964

Where did you settle?

Detroit, Michigan

How is it that you came to Michigan?

Pinchas’ brother, Jacob Reif, lived in Detroit, sponsored them to come to America.

Occupation after the war

In Romania after the war, Pinchas was in the transport business, later worked in quality control in the dairy industry. In the United States, he initially worked for his uncle in the scrap metal business. After 2 ½ years, he was hired by a tool and die company, the company later moved to Ohio. Pinchas later opened a gas station and sold used cars there. Tragically, he was murdered there.

When and where were you married?

1940 or 1941 in Czernowitz, Romania. Pinchas left for the army shortly after their marriage. His wife, Klara, raised her two nephews who were orphaned in the Holocaust.

Spouse

Klara Spierer Reif, seamstress

Children

Misha, Anita, and Susan

What do you think helped you to survive?

His motto was, believe in life. After the war, he emphasized living in the moment, he encouraged us to get educated. He cherished his grandchildren.

What message would you like to leave for future generations?

Interviewer:

Interview given by Susan Dines, daughter of Pinchas Reif

Interview date:

08/23/2022