Moshe was born in 1913 in Hrubieszów. His religious family had a small business producing sweets. As was common in the Jewish community, Moshe was sent to a “melamed” for religious studies. After a few years he had been beaten for asking, “…and who created God?” and thus ended his career in religious studies.

As a young adult Moshe joined the Communist Party, hoping that it would provide a better future for the Jews. Since the party was prohibited in Poland, Moshe was imprisoned twice for illegal activities, each time for about half a year. During his communist activities he met Eva. They married and moved to Warsaw, where they were able to purchase an apartment after several years. When World War II began, Moshe followed the instructions to enlist in the Polish army. However, at the designated location there was nobody to enlist those who arrived.

Moshe and Eva went back and forth between Warsaw and Zamość, sold their apartment, and bought a horse and a wagon. Together with Eva’s sister, Fela, and friends they moved to a border town not far from Hrubieszow to join the Russian Red Army.

Moshe and his friends appointed themselves as the local police, protecting the order as well as the Jews who were staying there. The Russians were appreciative to them, and while it was apparent that the town would be handed over to the Germans as a part of a borders agreement, the Russian army allowed the group to return to Russia on a half empty train.

They  traveled to one of the  “Stan” countries to begin looking for jobs and make a living. Moshe became an engraver and Eva was a seamstress.  At that time, Eva’s sister met and married Shlomo Zigfried. 

After the war ended, they no longer needed to remain in Russia and returned to Poland. They settled in Bielawa, a town that was evacuated by the German families who had been living there. In their rush to leave, those families left much of their households thus providing a “soft landing” for the new people settling there. 

Moshe joined a metal factory that was producing bicycles to help grow the business.

However, since Poland maintained its  anti-semitic sentiments, when Gomulka let the Jews leave, the group seized the opportunity. In the Austrian train station, the Jewish Agency suggested that they go to Israel. As communists, they found it appealing to join a kibbutz. The Finkelsteins settled in Kfar Giladi, while the Zigfrieds settled in Mishmar HaEmek. Moshe and Eva’s two children  (Max or Meir in Hebrew) and (Vlodek or Zeev in Hebrew) were then 7 and 3 years old.

After one year, an acquaintance suggested that Moshe take an available job in Tveria at the Tnuva company. The Zigfrieds left for Netanya.

After about 20 years in Tveria, Moshe and Eva (or Hava in Hebrew) moved to Jerusalem, where their children studied and lived.

Hava passed away in 1984 from cancer at the age of 72, while Moshe passed away in 2009 when he was 95 years old.