Szyfra Braitberg, June 11, 2021

Szyfra Braitberg was born in Lodz, Poland on March 19, 1919, to Itzhak Tenenbaum and Gita Milszteyn. She beat tuberculosis, which killed her mother and sister. Szyfra saw her Polish neighbors throw flowers as Germans rolled into Poland. She escaped into Russia, enduring perilous adventures.  She arrived in Stalingrad for the battle where the Soviets finally turned the tide against Hitler. It was there that she met her husband, violin virtuoso Gregor Braitberg, and where her son Mischa was born.  After escaping post-war famine to Zbaraj, Ukraine, they had their second son, David.

The family traveled the world, finally reuniting with the few surviving relatives in the USA. Germans killed 50 members of Szyfra’s family. Starting a new life in St. Louis, she became a published researcher at Washington University Medical School. She is survived by her sons Mischa and David, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at noon Sunday, June 13 at Chesed Shel Emeth cemetery at 650 White Road. Section 5, row 8, grave 44.