Alter the Barber
Town's people greatly appreciated the character of Alter the Barber. There wasn't a single institution in town that Alter didn't actively participate in. Always the same person- always young, a smile on his face, and always looking at all with compassion. No one ever saw Alter getting angry with anyone.He was a real savior of people in trouble- poverty or other. Miserable people poured their heart in front of him. A father, whose son has to go to the army, goes to alter for advice. Alter found a good word for everybody. Whoever came to him sad- left encouraged. Someone needs to write a letter- he goes to Alter. Nothing moves without Alter. You can trust him for writing a letter and for finding the right address.
This was his most pleasant occupation. He will not send a man away. If he finds out someone has a relative in America, he will convince him to write them a letter, "you have friends in America? Why not write them? All right, I'll write for you; I'll find them." And Alter always fulfills his promises. He writes for help and does it as if he is asking for himself. After a while he receives an answer from his relative with some money. Alter knows all America. I think that if he went there one day he would have no problem finding streets. He knew every street and house number just like he knows Zabludow. Many sons of Zabludow are in America thanks to his help and advice. A large number of his friends immigrated to America. He knows their addresses by heart. He doesn't need to search the papers for their address. He takes a letter, puts his glasses on and immediately writes the name and address. A stranger who sees it marvels, "R Alter," he says, " I fear the letter will not reach its destiny…" Alter smiles, "it will be just fine", he answers. He is sure of himself; none of his letters was ever lost.
I remember that Alter used to live in a tiny room on Bialystock street. His barbershop was there. So many memories are kept with me from those days, from the days the Russian revolution broke up.
Alter's barbershop was always noisy. All the youngsters of the town used to come to Alter. They felt like they were in their own home. If a youngster argued with his parents and disappeared- they knew he was sitting at Alter's shop. They didn't come just for a haircut and a shave; they came to spend time there. It was always joyful. They played checkers, sang, and did whatever their heart desire. Many had been educated there, they bought knowledge; through his influence they began to read the newspaper.
Alter once told that he used to be a teacher of Yiddish, and many are the children he taught how to read and write.
On the eve of one Pessach or some other holiday the Barbershop was full with youngsters. It was so crowded that you couldn't get in. People pushed each other and Bialystock Street became black from the lines of people waiting for a haircut. Despite the overcrowding no one complained. No one even thought that the town might need a second Barber. The waited patiently and while waiting they could drink a cup of tea. There was no better tea than Alter's tea. People prepared the tea by themselves. They knew where the tea was. One would take the "samovar" from the shelf, another brought water, etc.
Special and joyful events also took place at Alter's. There always was a joyous climate.
The youngsters of those days are gone. They are scattered over different continents. But to this day they don't forget Alter. They know how dear he was to them. Many memories are kept in the heart- memories that will never be lost.
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