Mois Saltiel

This is me in Sofia in 1947.

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.

During the communist regime in Bulgaria I used to keep regular contacts with my parents, who lived in Israel through letters or phone. I did have problems concerning that at my work. I never reached the highest ranks at office, however, it did not affect my salary. I went to Israel for the first time in 1974 together with my wife and daughter. Until 1989 I traveled to Israel two more times.

Photos from this interviewee