Bezalel (Salik) Katz, a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor and prolific painter, has lived through trauma, war, and profound loss - yet continued to choose life and creativity. Katz fought with the Red Army during World War II and was gravely wounded in battle. Believed to be dead, he was taken to the morgue, where only a doctor’s attentiveness revealed faint signs of life and saved him. After months of recovery, he learned that his entire family had been murdered in the Holocaust, but he persevered and turned to art as a lifelong refuge.
Since then, Katz has produced thousands of paintings, from landscapes to portraits, continuing even now within the Neve Horim nursing home in Jerusalem, where he resides. His greatest wish was to share his work publicly and gain recognition for the art that has accompanied him throughout his life.
This dream has now come true. Through the Survivors' Wishes initiative - run by Ezri Mizion in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security - the staff worked to locate his paintings, document their stories, and secure a gallery space in Jerusalem. The result is Flying in Time, Katz’s first-ever solo exhibition, held at the Harmony Center in Jerusalem.
Katz expressed deep joy at seeing his life’s work finally displayed: “After so many years in Israel, I am happy that people can discover these works I began creating back in the Soviet Union. Each painting tells part of my life’s story, including the last one I completed just two weeks ago in my room. Though it’s hard to choose a favorite, ‘Snow in Jerusalem’ holds a special place in my heart - it reminds me of a beautiful period in my life and my love for the Holy City. This exhibition is a dream come true.”
Naomi Mizrachi, director of the Survivor's Wishes project, described the process as one of the most meaningful the team has undertaken. “Finding a venue, gathering and selecting pieces from different locations, learning the background of each work, and navigating language gaps were only some of the challenges,” she said. “Seeing Salik’s excitement when he saw his paintings displayed made every effort worthwhile. Helping Holocaust survivors fulfill long-held dreams is a profound privilege.”
A senior official from the Welfare Ministry echoed the importance of the project: “The wish-granting initiative offers survivors the chance to fulfill dreams they never had the opportunity to pursue. For people whose childhoods were stolen and who later helped build this country, enabling them to realize a cherished wish is not just a gesture - it is recognition of their humanity and their right to self-expression at any age. Watching a survivor finally achieve such a long-awaited dream is deeply moving.”