The Saltiel family in Israel

This is the Saltiel family in Israel. The whole family except me moved to Israel. Standing from right to left are: my younger brother Yako in a military uniform, Roza, the wife of my elder brother Haim, their daughter Rivka and Haim. Sitting are Rebecca, the second wife of my father Solomon, her daughter and Solomon. The photo was taken in Yaffo in 1949 or 1950.

At the end of 1944, when our family returned to Sofia our neighbors and friends were very happy to see that we were alive and well. Although our property had dwindled significantly, we still had our home – a place to sleep and start our lives anew. Each of us started work – my father reopened his workshop, I started work in the Head Office of the People’s Police.

Yako, my younger brother, was the first to move to Israel. In 1948 my other relatives also decided to go there. We all gathered and discussed what we wanted to do. I did not want to move to Israel, because I had devoted my youth and my health to create a new authority. I thought that it was my duty to work for its strengthening in Bulgaria, for the realization of our dreams. So, I remained here to work, while my family, even my father, left. They reached Yaffo by ship.

I remember, of course, all friends who left for Israel. I went there on excursions a couple of times and met them. I have been to Israel three times: the first time in 1974 when my father was still alive. Then I saw all the sights, met all my relatives and I was very impressed. My other two visits were in the 1980s. Now we still write to each other, they come to visit, we go there – so we still keep in touch with our friends and relatives in Israel.

Photos from this interviewee