This is a photo of my father-in-law Nissim Geron, who is holding in his arms my son Benedict Molhov. The photo was taken in Sofia in 1941.
My son was born in 1941. The name Mevorah means blessed by God, in Ladino - 'bendicho'. That's why I named my only son Benedict. When our son was born, my wife asked the rabbi in Sofia what the contemporary equivalent of the name Mevorah was. He told her that that was the name Benedict. At that time [1941] I was mobilized in labor camps as a soldier and I was temporarily released for the circumcision of my son. They informed me that they will name him Benedict and I agreed.
My family loved music. While I lived in Plovdiv, I sang in the Jewish choir. In Sofia I signed up with the Georgi Kirkov choir. My wife also had a beautiful voice and I brought her to the choir where she sang for 26 years. My wife's parents also sang very well. Thus, our son, Benedict Molhov, grew up to become a famous composer, conductor and singer.
Nissim Geron with his grandson Benedict Molhov
The Centropa Collection at USHMM
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