Naum Kravets inn Palanga

In this photo I am at the spa in Palanga. I was there in 1970.

I worked in my position as leading engineer until 1964. Then new experts came and I understood that I couldn't compete with them as they were better qualified.

I decided to resume my studies. I didn't tell anybody of my intention and sent my application to the Moscow Institute of Electronic Machine Building, Computer Engineering Department, and passed the entrance exams for the evening course.

When I found out that I had passed the exams, I told the chief designer, Kuniavskiy, that I had become a student and wouldn't be able to go on business trips. Of course, he didn't like that. Our relationship became slightly tense.

They tried to talk me into taking short trips, but I refused because the trips were only to the military units. There the passport was taken upon arrival, so there was no way I could leave earlier, and I couldn't study without my passport.

I said that during the war they were studying while I was in the lines. I said it was time for me to study and for the others to go on the business trips. I was threatened that they would cut my bonus and I would be transferred to another department. In 1970 I finished my higher education.

When mass immigration of Jews started in the 1970s, I wasn't willing to go, though I wasn't judging those who did. My relatives were leaving: the children of my mother's sister Bronya who fled from occupied Poland in 1939, and the children of my mother's sisters Maria and Genya. They also spurred me to go with them, but I stayed adamant.

I cannot even say what made me stay. Probably my character was the main factor or the principle of 'the dog kennel' or 'my house is my castle.' I have always been conservative. I am like a bob - even with the coming wave - I would turn left or right, and still remain in the same place.

I have never changed jobs and have stayed in one city all my mature life. I am aware that I would have a good living in Israel and would settle well because I'm a good expert. But I cannot get over my conservatism.