Dora Feiman and her co-worker

There were many ruined buildings in Tartu after the war, and the town authorities requested residents to clean up the heaps for new construction. I’m on the left, I don't know the girl beside me. She worked there and was also photographed. This photo was taken in Tartu in 1946.

In late 1944 we heard that Estonia had been liberated from the fascists. Our spirits changed. We knew that the end of the war was close. On 9th May 1945 Germany capitulated. This was a holiday for all. People rejoiced in the streets dancing and singing. I was eager to go back home, but to return to Tartu I needed a letter of invitation. My mother returned home, and my management wanted me to stay at work. They said that they had no replacement and tried to convince me to settle down in Almaty, where I had been in evacuation. My brother David sent me an invitation letter, but it was only after a few months that I managed to leave for home.

When I was back in Tartu, I worked at the shoe factory, in the logistics department. I was an accountant and was later promoted as the logistics manager. My Russian language skills helped me with my work. I could also handle Russian documentation. There were few Jews in our department.