Rakovich Kirill & Nina

Rakovich, Kirill Rakovich, Nina Kirill and Nina Rakovich, in their late thirties, lived with their teenager daughter Alla in the small village of Elizovo, Mogilev District (Yalizava, Magilyou District). In September 1941, a few months after the occupation of the area by the Germans when the assaults against the Jews moved into full gear, Fanya Pik, a teacher in the local school and her family hid by the Rakovichs in their home. Three weeks later, her father Shepshel Pik, her sister Riva with her husband Isaak Zagalsky who were being sheltered in the Rakovichs’ barn were discovered and murdered. Only Fanya and her daughter Vera, b.1935, survived. When the police arrived, Fanya jumped through the window to hide in the garden and little Vera was concealed in Alla Rakovich’s bed. Kirill Rakovich then decided to transfer Fanya and Vera somewhere else. However, one friend of his declined to let them stay at his place for fear of German reprisals. Fanya and Vera then went out into the forest. When Kirill became aware of this he went and brought them back. Then, on October 15, 1941, Kirill Rakovich arranged to have Fanya’s nationality in her ID changed from Jewish to Ukrainian, and found a safe place for Fanya and her daughter with a reliable friend. Before their departure he gave them food and money. He also hid their valuable possessions. After that, Fanya and Vera hid in various villages and thus were able to survive. After the area was liberated by the Red Army in June 1944, Kirill Rakovich returned all the possessions to Fanya Pik. Fanya and Vera maintained warm relations with their rescuers thereafter. On November 25, 2001, Yad Vashem recognized Kirill and Nina Rakovich as Righteous Among the Nations.