Lisa Kudrow is a well-known actress. You might know her from Friends, the TV show. But let’s discuss today somebody very special from her family — her grandmother, Gertrude Kudrow.
Quick Facts About Gertrude Kudrow
| Full Name | Gertrude Kudrow (born Grunia Farberman) |
| Birthdate | 28 March 1903 |
| Occupation | N/A |
| Husband/Wife | David Kudrow |
| Died | 11 December 1988 |
| Age (at death) | 85 yrs |
| Parents | Meri Kudrow (Mother), Leo Farberman (Father) |
| Grandchildren | Lisa Kudrow, Helene Marla Kudrow, Derrick Kudrow, David B. Kudrow |
| Children | Lee N. Kudrow, Blanche Kudrow, Gershon Kudrow |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
| Birthplace | Ilya, Belarus (then Russian Empire) |
| Year of Immigration | 1921 |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
Early Life in Belarus
Gertrude was born as Grunia Farberman. She was raised in a small village named Ilya. This village is located in a nation now called Belarus. At that time, it was in the Russian Empire.
Gertrude had a simple existence in the village. She was Jewish. Life was not always good for Jewish folks in that part of the world. Many struggled and were in danger.
Coming to America
In 1921, Gertrude made the big move. She departed from Belarus and came to the United States. She sought a better life. Many individuals immigrated to America at that time for hope and refuge.
Gertrude’s relocation was lifesaving. She fled before World War II began. This is significant because the war exposed many to great danger in her village.
Family Tragedy
The name of Gertrude’s mother was Meri Mordejovich. Meri was Lisa Kudrow’s great-grandmother. Unfortunately, Meri failed to leave Belarus. She remained in the Ilya village.
In 1941, Ilya witnessed awful atrocities in the Second World War. The Nazis invaded and killed a lot of Jewish people. Meri was among them. She was shot and burned, together with many others, in a brutal massacre.
This disastrous incident had an impact on the entire family. Lisa’s father, Lee Kudrow, learned about this from his family. It was a bitter memory that remained with them for years.
Family Stories and Survival
Lee Kudrow recalled having a cousin by the name of Yuri Barudin. Yuri survived the massacre. He alerted the family to leave before the Nazis arrived.
Yuri subsequently relocated to New York. He was last seen in the late 1940s. Due to alerts such as his, Gertrude and some members of the family managed to escape.
Lisa Kudrow’s Quest to Uncover Her Heritage
Years later, Lisa Kudrow wished to uncover more about her ancestry. She participated in a television program named Who Do You Think You Are?
Lisa went to Belarus on the program. She went to the village of Ilya. She searched through past records in the city of Minsk. There, she discovered documents of the massacre that killed her great-grandmother.
This visit enlightened Lisa about her family’s history more. She stated that it was emotional seeing and hearing about her great-grandmother and grandmother. It brought her closer to her heritage.
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Gertrude’s Strength and Legacy
Gertrude’s life is an example of bravery. She left home in search of a safer destination. Her relocation saved her and her family.
Although her mother perished in the Holocaust, Gertrude’s decision saved her family. She had transmitted her strength and love to her children and grandchildren.
Lisa Kudrow remembers her grandmother. She is aware that Gertrude’s sacrifices contributed to the person she is today.
What We Can Learn from Gertrude Kudrow
- Life can be tough, but hope is mighty.
- At times, taking bold decisions might save lives.
- Recalling family history matters.
- Understanding where we are from makes us understand ourselves.
