Hello dear Zakarin family members, here is a short story about how this project got started…
Following our marriage in 1995, my wife Racheli and I discovered a common interest in researching our joint family histories. Racheli, then a doctoral student at the University of Tel Aviv, stopped by the Museum of the Diaspora (located on the campus), and came home with the Ilanot genealogy software that we still use today.
Using the software, Racheli and I built trees and filled in details on all the relatives known to us, and generated a family database of about 1000 members.
Then we stopped.
We pick up the story in April of 2006, when Racheli was asked to say a few words at our synagogue's Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony, in honor of her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor who had passed away during the previous year. In the course of preparing her speech, Racheli expressed frustration over her lack of knowledge of her grandfather's family history – her grandfather had always maintained that his entire family had perished in the Holocaust. Racheli resolved to further research the family, and made impressive achievements, discovering complete family branches descended from ancestors who had immigrated to the United States before World War Two.
I myself was also challenged to renew my family search, thanks to an extraordinary coincidence. Following the ceremony – in which my wife was introduced as "Racheli Kreisberg-Zakarin" – a couple approached us and said, "Hi, we're Barbara and Herb, originally from Brooklyn, and we have a number of friends named Zakarin in the states", invoking the names of some 2nd cousins that I knew of but hadn't met, "maybe you know them?" Thanks to them, I contacted the cousins, and received more information, but wasn't able to trace my ancestry past that of my great-grandfather Kalman Zakarin.
Curiosity was beginning to get the better of me. I did a web search using the words "Zakarin" and "mail", and compiled a list of 7 or 8 Zakarins whose email addresses were published on the Internet. I sent an email message to each one, and the results were heartwarming. My new contacts were able to provide information on Kalman's 8 siblings, as well as the names of their parents, Samuel and Esther Zakarin.
That's the story… I'm looking forward to communicating with you via "comments" on this blog, or directly by email.
Best Regards,
Yosi

EMAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN AMY ZAKARIN AND YOSI ZAKARIN

On 7/1/06 8:32 AM, "Yosi Zakarin" <yzakarin@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hello Amy -

My name is Yosi (Jeff) Zakarin from Raanana, Israel.
Over the last few years, I've spent a substantial
amount of time researching the Zakarin family, its
members, and ancestors.

I discovered your name thanks to a web search of
Zakarins whose email addresses are posted.

Many members of the Zakarin family can trace their
roots to a group of brothers that emigrated from the
Ukraine at the beginning of the 20th century to New
York City area.

I would be very pleased if you would be willing to
contact me at this email address, so we could attempt
to discover a family link between us.

Thanks for your attention – I’ll be glad to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Yosi (Jeff) Zakarin

====================

Message from Amy Zakarin <amy@zakarinpr.com> on Sat, 01 Jul 2006
To: Yosi Zakarin <yzakarin@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Hello from Yosi Zakarin

Hi Yosi! It’s very nice to hear from you. So it seems we are cousins. I’ve forwarded your note to my sister (who has done some research on the Zakarin family, as well) and my dad. My father is Robert Zakarin (he’s 62) and his dad was Louis, who did emigrate from the Ukraine to NYC and passed away when my father was in his teens. I live in Miami, my parents in Tallahassee, and my sister Debbie in Towson, Maryland.

Where did you grow up and what took you to Israel? My family has been to Israel, but I personally have not. I’m told it’s quite an experience.

Please write and tell me more about yourself.

All the best,
Amy

====================

On 7/2/06 7:27 AM, Yosi Zakarin wrote:

Hi Amy!

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. If your sister Debbie would like to compare notes with me, please have her contact me!

Just a few words on myself - I'm 48, a great grandson of Kalman Zakarin, born in New York, living in Israel since 1988, married to Racheli (who was born in Holland), and father of 3 girls - Ella 9, Maya 7, Tali 5.

Your note triggered some memories of long ago conversations that I had with my brother Chuck (he is cc'd here). Chuck studied at U. Maryland, and had substantial business dealings in Florida, and we have the following questions for you:

* Are you familiar with Kim Zakarin?
* Did your family own a video store in Tallahassee in the 1980s?
* Are you related to a dentist in Miami or Tallahassee?

Best regards, and thanks for writing.
Yosi

====================

Amy Zakarin <amy@zakarinpr.com>
To <yzakarin@yahoo.com>
Cc <czakarin@msn.com>
Subject Re: Hello from Yosi Zakarin

Hi Yosi and Chuck! The answer to all of your questions is YES. Kim is a first cousin (her dad is my dad’s brother) and both my father and uncle are dentists – my dad is the one in Tallahassee, my uncle in Miami. Have you ever connected with Kim? I have many more questions — for example, how did you gather all this info? Also curious how you found ME?! I must say, it’s rather interesting to get an email out of the blue from Israel. What kind of business is/was Chuck doing in Florida? Also, who is your dad? I’m not familiar with Kalman Zakarin. Do you know any of the Zakarin family in NYC or LA? I’ve met several of them, but we’re not in close touch. Does Chuck still live in MD?

Best,
Amy

====================

Yosi Zakarin wrote:

Thanks Amy - regarding your questions,

I found your name and others by inserting the words "zakarin" and "email" in the Google search field. My parents are Evelyn and Mort Zakarin, they live in Lake Worth. Mort's father was Charlie Zakarin and his grandfather was Kalman, who was Louis's older brother. There are lots of relatives in NY and LA.

I'll let my brother handle the rest of the questions regarding Kim and the others - he can tell the story better than I can.

Best Regards,
Yosi

EMAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN AMY ZAKARIN & CHARLES ZAKARIN

Charles Zakarin wrote:

Hi Amy,

So many Zakarin's out there...

Through the years, I have run into Zakarin's that I did not know by accident, through friends, etc...

2 stories with your family...

First with Kim.

During my sophomore year at U of Maryland, College Park there was a grade mixup between 2 students in a giant lecture class. Both were named Zakarin. One was Kim and one was me! So we met and became friendly for a time...

I lost touch with her after I transferred to NYU for Junior and Senior year. Somewhere I heard she moved to and lives in Alabama. Can't remember where... Is this true?

There is much more there but the memories are hazy...

Now your family and this memory is "crystal clear". After college and until the stock market crash of 1987, I was a bond broker and ALL of my clients were Community Bankers in Florida.

I was based out of NY but spent about 40% of my time visiting with clients.

One day, I'm meeting with a bank president of a tiny Tallahassee bank. He's got to be around 80 and looks every day of it. And he's looking at my card and literally picking at his teeth and he says that my last name sounds familiar but doggonnitt, can't figure out from where...

So we move onto another subject and right in the middle of that, he blurts out "MY DENTIST IS DR. ZAKARIN!". And not only is he my dentist, but "they
got this store that does these new video things"!

So, how can I forget a surreal meeting like this?

I believe I planned to contact your family at the time but can't remember why I didn't. I also think I remember Kim telling me she had Zakarin cousin's in Tallahassee.

There you have it.

I am 44 and live in Rye Brook, NY (in Westchester county). My wife Lisa and I have 2 daughters, Morgan 9 and Skylar 7.

Anyway, would love to here back from you...

Best Regards,

Chuck

====================

Amy Zakarin wrote:

This is very funny! Your experience in Tallahassee sounds about right – lots of rednecks there. Trust me, it was an interesting place to grow up. My dad retired a couple years ago so I’m hoping they’ll leave Tallahassee soon. Currently they have a second home in South Florida and travel a lot. I’m seeing my folks today and will share these emails. My father will enjoy.

I love your Kim story – what a small world! She lives in Alabama and has 2 kids. I forwarded your note to her dad (my dad’s bro) Stan Zakarin. I haven’t spoken with Kim in years, but I occasionally see her sister Alissa and brother Brad.

About me - I’m 36 and own a public relations firm. If you google me you can find a little info and pictures. I’ll be in NYC in August so maybe we can meet. I found a cousin in LA (Scott Zakarin) about a year ago and we met. His brother Mark also lives in LA but we’ve not met. With all these Zakarins we should start a blog or something....it would be neat to get all of us on one page. Perhaps a Zakarin reunion is in our future! There’s also a Ron Zakarin – very nice guy who lives in Boca Raton. I found him about 3 years ago and we’ve gotten our families together a couple times. I forwarded these emails to him, too.

Do any of you know how to start a blog (or other site where everyone can contribute) so we can get all these Zakarins together?

Best,
Amy

====================

Charles Zakarin wrote:

Found your pic on google images at some glitzy party. You look like a Zakarin! Beautiful of course!!

My wife Lisa is in a related business to you. She works at Deutsch/NY and is Associate Director of their digital division......

Scott and I are first cousins and grew up together close friends. His brother Mark wrote the just released bar mitzvah movie "Keeping up with the Steins".

We would love to meet you in August and host you at our home or meet you in the city...Do you have dates yet?

Another small world Zakarin story before I go...

Lisa and I are living in Manhattan on 92nd St and York Ave. Must be around 1995 and our kids are not born yet but we have our beloved dog Zuzu (a shih tzu - now deceased) with us and while walking her daily, we get to know another Shih Tzu owner. No names exchanged except for Zuzu's and their's.

One day, we get a call from the doorman of the building next door saying that your cousins have just received a letter in your name. The letter was addressed to Lisa, Chuck and Zuzu Zakarin and they realize who Zuzu is and WHO WE ARE.

Turns out they are from the Zakarin's that manufactured belts and his name was Gary Zakarin. Do you know of him?

Anyway, this is fun!

Best Regards,

Chuck

Hello fellow Zakarins. Yosi - great job on putting this together. It's a small Zakarin world and here is another Zakarin story.

I work in a law firm located in Long Island, New York. On my first day, I was approached by another attorney who works in the office. His name is Todd Belous. His mother's maiden name is Zakarin and he originiates from the "Abe" line, one of Kalman's younger brothers.

I've forwarded him the link to this site so that he can send some information for the family tree.

Stay well. Harris Zakarin
--Harris Zakarin
<mailto:harris.zakarin@rivkin.com>

there are several error and ommisions in the Jack Zakarin family line.
--miriam zakarin
<mailto:mtreuhaft@gmail.com>

My name is Arlene Strauchler Goodman. Ida Zakarin Cohen was my grandmother and my mom was Mollie Cohen Strauchler and my dad was Morris Strauchler. I have been married to Henry Goodman for almost 46 years and my sons are Marc Goodman (b.1962) and Robert (b.1966). I was very happy to find this website and will visit again soon.
--arlene goodman
<mailto:hgag428@comcast.net>

My name is Stanley Zakarin, son of Louis and Minna Zakarin. My wife,Arlene, and I live in coral gables, Fl. I just read all the blogs and got a big kick out of seeeing my daughter Kim mentioned in the story by Chuck. I remember the incident at the time it happened. Glad to see the entries by my neices Amy and Debbie. I am looking forward to connecting with all the Zakarins.
--Stanley Zakarin
<mailto:zakfam375@aol.com>

We just returned from S Fla where the highlight of our visit was Murray Feldberg's 90th birthday celebration. My wife Jill and daughter Amy attended with me, as did my brother Stan. We were all touched by the opportunity to meet so many relatives for the first time. For any of you who couldn't attend, there were many pictures taken; also, you may wish to contact murray by e mail (mufeldberg1@bellsouth.net) to just wish him a happy birthday. We appreciate the work by Murray's children to contact so many of us. Again, thanks to Yosi for spearheading the Zakarin Blog. We look forward to more opportunities to meet our wonderful family.
Bob Zakarin, Tallahasse and Ft Lauderdale, Fl
--Bob Zakarin in Tallahassee Fl
<mailto:bobzakarin@comcast.net>

i do not have an e-mail if i did i don't know what it would be. I am only 8 years old. I never ever knew there are so many Zakarin's. Have you? I live in melville ny 11747. there are 5 people in my family. They are Michelle Zakarin,Harris Zakarin (written on the board),me Maya Zakain,Remi Zakarin,and Sari Zakarin.I am in third grade in Mr.Cohen's class. Stay well!
Love,
Maya
--Maya Zakarin

PEACE
LOVE
EVERY
ZAKARIN
--Maya Zakarin

I am not a Zakarin, but met Yosi's parents Mort and Evelyn last December in Florida (Yosi joined us via internet video). I have been tracing my family roots for 20 years and have collected 20,000 people on diff. branches. My connection to Mort and Evelyn is very weird. On Evelyn's side, her aunt Rebecca Margolin married Martin Savada, my grandfather's nephew. Mort's connection is through his mother Sally Komsky Zakarin. Her brother Joseph married Nettie Shapiro, whose uncle Tobias (Tom) married Martin Savada's sister Estelle. Wait, there's more! Mort's uncle Nat Komsky's daughter Linda Mae married Arnold Leight my step grandfather's half grandnephew. I've done some preliminary data entry on the Zakarins--at least the children (I count 7) of Kalman and Ida. I've got okay lineage on the sons Charles, Sam, and Sidney, and barely anything on daughters Anna, Rose (m. Jesse Sellers) and Rachel. Eldest son Yekuschiel Sacharenko(b. ca 1901) immigrated with the family on September 19, 1907, but who did he become? Please do contact me directly if interested.

--Eli Savada, Bethesda MD
<mailto:esavada@mac.com>

Oops, if I had looked at page 2 of the pdf chart I would have found more descendants! Anyway, I will do some more research on these lines and welcome any discussion with any of you!
--Eli Savada, Bethesda MD
<mailto:esavada@mac.com>

Thanks Eli and keep up the great work!!
In response to your question above:
Yekuschiel Sacharenko became Charles Zakarin - he was Mort's father.
Best regards,
Yosi