Israel Gruzin, a Holocaust survivor who became a respected and successful local artisan and custom cabinet maker, died on Sunday, July 24. The longtime Northwest Baltimore resident was 93. Born in Slobodka, Lithuania, he was the eldest son of Chaim and Chiene Gruzin and had one brother, Icik. In 1941, the Gruzins fled Lithuania via horse and wagon for Latvia to escape the imminent Nazi invasion, but were forced to return to Slobodka due to a destroyed bridge. They were moved into the Kovno Ghetto and became forced laborers. In 1943, Gruzin and his family were taken to Stutthof Concentration...