Dovid's Journey

Dovid’s Written Legacy

While exploring the lives of individuals in shtetls, we came across the story of Dovid Rudnik, a teenager from Butrimonys. In 1939, Dovid wrote an autobiography and sent it to YIVO, an organization renowned for its cultural work. At the time, YIVO was holding its third competition for young Jewish autobiographies, and Dovydas eagerly decided to participate.

In his writing, Dovid reflected on his childhood, describing struggles in school that often led to serious conflicts with his parents. These tensions were worsened by differing beliefs—his parents were devoutly religious, while Dovid resisted praying and strictly observing the Sabbath. Instead, he found joy in spending time with friends and devouring books, dreaming of one day becoming a world-class writer.

Seeking his place in the world, Dovid left Butrimonys. He worked in Seda, Biržai, and Kelmė before eventually settling in Kaunas. By the time he completed his autobiography, he was serving in the Lithuanian army, where he had been drafted. Military life, with its strict discipline, clashed with his creative nature. As a pacifist, Dovid found the sound of gunfire during drills deeply unsettling, and antisemitic remarks from fellow soldiers weighed heavily on him.

Dovid sent his autobiography to JIVO, hoping for feedback on whether he had the talent to become a writer. Unfortunately, he never received a response. The outbreak of World War II changed everything, and during the Holocaust, Dovid, along with most Lithuanian Jews, was murdered.