Lidiya (Weinstein) Kiperband

Lidiya Kiperband (nee Weinstein) was born in May 1942 and died Sunday April 30, 2023 in the early morning in her own home. Lidiya was born in the city of Astrakhan, on the road while her mother and sister were evacuating from Nazi invasion to the Soviet Far East. They spent two years in Birobidzhan, the capital of the Jewish Autonomous Region. Like all her fellow Holocaust survivors, they endured difficult conditions- including hunger, lack of medical care, poor housing, and the loss of all they had and knew before.

At the end of the war, Lidiya returned to her hometown of Zhitomir, Ukraine, with her mother and older sister. Years later, her younger sister was born. Lidiya’s mother, Sophia Gorodetskaya, was a history teacher; her father, Abram Weinstein was a WWII veteran and a highly decorated military officer. One of three girls, Lidiya’s older sister, perished in a fire but her younger sister, Tatyana Arova, lives now in Moscow, and she spoke by video with Lidiya daily – currently being unable to obtain a visa to visit.

Lidiya graduated from the Pedagogical Institute in Zhitomir, Department of Foreign Languages, where she studied English. After graduation, she was sent to work in a village, in Khmelnitsky region, where she worked as a teacher of Russian language and literature. After marrying Yevgeny Kiperband, Lidiya moved with him to Moscow where she gave birth to a son, Boris- her pride and joy. She continued to work as a teacher and eventually became an editor of informational materials at the Ministry of Agriculture.

In May 1990, Lidiya arrived as an immigrant to the United States as a single mother determined to make a better life for her and her son. She worked first as a file clerk for an insurance company, then for many years for a home health care company as an accounts manager. She never had one job - she worked around the clock, taking on side jobs overnight to provide for herself and her son.

In recent years, she lost her only child and she grieved for him greatly. She took solace in her beautiful granddaughter and daughter-in-law who survived him. Lidiya was a force of nature who enjoyed life to the fullest - even when it wasn’t easy.

She always found the energy to help others and to volunteer. From her first day in America till the moment when she became bedridden, Lidiya was always there to help- volunteering and supporting Jewish Family Services, JCC, Jewish Federation and Chabad. She personally mentored many of her fellow refugees from the former USSR, ready to help and assist at the first call. For several years, she was also a “Natural Helper” at the charitable organization “Welcome Immigrants”. Lidiya was a very active, colorful, and energetic person - she brought her spirit, passion and commitment to community to every event. She was always organizing something - concerts, tourist trips, holidays, meetings, etc.

She was in touch with Russian-Jewish communities in neighboring states and coordinated groups for cultural and social exchanges, entertainment and dances, etc. Lidiya attended B'nai Torah synagogue, then later became an active member of the Chabad Center. So many people are so deeply grateful to Lidiya for the guidance and help she gave with her whole heart to make life easier for those around her, to relieve any hardship that she could, to be with them to try to solve life’s problems.

As she loved her son and his family, she extended that devotion to her community as well. It is hard to put into words the impact that she had on so many lives. When you spent time with Lidiya, you knew that you were loved. Lidiya's memory will remain in the hearts of so many people. She will be laid to rest next to her son. May she rest in peace, as her memory is a blessing to us all.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in B'nai Torah Cemetery at 2:00 pm.

Arrangements entrusted to Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Funeral Home, 11411 N. Michigan Road, Zionsville, IN 46077.