This photo pictures me, Iancu Tucarman, at the age of five together with my sister Betty Laim (nee Tucarman). This photo was taken in Iasi at a studio called Foto Select on Cuza Voda Street. The photographer was deaf and dumb. He spoke very slowly, barely understanding the words. He could not pronounce the word ‘smile,’ he could only say ‘smi.’ He was a great man and most demanding. One can see how skilled he was in taking photos.
I was born in Iasi on 30th October 1922. When I turned five or so my parents sent me over to a melamed and I studied with him until I was 13. I managed to learn the Talmud and Tannakh. I learned Yiddish, which was very important to me.
My sister Betty, who was born right after me, married in 1946. She left for Israel in 1965. My brother-in-law was a very good mechanic. He worked in precision mechanics all his life.
