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In the 1970s Jews were permitted to go to Israel for permanent abode. At that time none of my relatives could leave for different reasons. I didn’t even consider such an opportunity for myself. I was not willing to go alone. My kin, the closest people to me, were staying in Tallinn. It was the period of time when we couldn’t think of going somewhere on the invitation of somebody or invite somebody over. Even ordinary correspondence might have been dangerous for those who stayed in the USSR [34]. I understood if I was to leave, I would never be able to see my loved ones. It was a very dear price for welfare. When perestroika [35] started, we had the opportunity to travel, visit any country, but it was impossible for me for another reason: I couldn’t afford it.
I went to Israel for the first time in the 1990s. I went to see my sister and her husband. They left for Israel in 1990, before Estonia gained independence [36]. My sister was scared that they wouldn’t be permitted to immigrate because of their exile. At that time it was still hard to leave the USSR. It was easier only after breakup of the Soviet Union. In the end, they got the permit to leave. They settled in Ashdod. Unfortunately, my sister’s husband Isaac couldn’t get acclimatized for some reason. The reason was the heat. He was a healthy man, a sportsman. There he started having problems with his health. They hoped that he would get adjusted to the climate with time, but he was getting worse. They had to come back to Tallinn after five years. Even now, many of Isaac’s ailments are connected with his stay in Israel.
I went to Israel only thanks to visiting them. My impressions of the country were probably spoiled by the fact that I lacked money and couldn’t visit all places I would have liked. Of course, I saw a lot in Ashdod, admired that town. Then I found a travel agency offering cheap excursions. I took a tour to the northern part of the country. I went to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Galilee. I didn’t have enough money to go to the South of Israel. Of course, I had an indelible impression from that trip. The country is wonderful, the people are amazing. It took me long to get used to walking in the street among Jews only. Then I finally became aware that it was our country, and all Jews were at home there.
I went to Israel for the first time in the 1990s. I went to see my sister and her husband. They left for Israel in 1990, before Estonia gained independence [36]. My sister was scared that they wouldn’t be permitted to immigrate because of their exile. At that time it was still hard to leave the USSR. It was easier only after breakup of the Soviet Union. In the end, they got the permit to leave. They settled in Ashdod. Unfortunately, my sister’s husband Isaac couldn’t get acclimatized for some reason. The reason was the heat. He was a healthy man, a sportsman. There he started having problems with his health. They hoped that he would get adjusted to the climate with time, but he was getting worse. They had to come back to Tallinn after five years. Even now, many of Isaac’s ailments are connected with his stay in Israel.
I went to Israel only thanks to visiting them. My impressions of the country were probably spoiled by the fact that I lacked money and couldn’t visit all places I would have liked. Of course, I saw a lot in Ashdod, admired that town. Then I found a travel agency offering cheap excursions. I took a tour to the northern part of the country. I went to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Galilee. I didn’t have enough money to go to the South of Israel. Of course, I had an indelible impression from that trip. The country is wonderful, the people are amazing. It took me long to get used to walking in the street among Jews only. Then I finally became aware that it was our country, and all Jews were at home there.
Period
Location
Israel
Interview
Mariasha Vasserman