In 1907, a Jewish family named Karnofsky immigrated from Lithuania to the United States. They met, fell in love with, and adopted a 7-year-old black American boy.

He first stayed and spent the night in this Jewish family’s home, where for the first time in his life he felt treated with kindness and tenderness.

When he went to bed, Mrs. Karnofsky sang him Russian lullabies, which he sang with her. Later he learned to sing and play several Russian and Jewish songs. Over time, this boy became the adopted son of this family.

Mr. Karnofsky gave him money to buy his first musical instrument, as was the custom in Jewish families. Later, when he became a professional musician and composer, he used these Jewish melodies in compositions such as “St. James’s Hospital” and “Go Down Moses.”

The little boy grew up and wrote a book about the Jewish family, who adopted him. He proudly spoke Yiddish fluently.

In memory of this family and until the end of his life, he wore the Star of David and said that in this family he learned “to live a real life and determination.”

The little boy’s name was Louis Armstrong. He went on, as we all know, to become one of the most influential figures in American jazz.