Bezalel “Salik” Katz, a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor and Red Army veteran who was once mistakenly declared dead during World War II, has lived to see a dream come true — his first solo art exhibition.
Katz’s show, titled “Flying Through Time,” opened this month at Jerusalem’s Harmony Center, featuring portraits, landscapes and other works he created over decades, including pieces painted recently at the Neve Horim nursing home where he resides. The exhibition was organized through Ezer Mizion’s Fulfill a Wish program for Holocaust survivors, in partnership with the Social Services Ministry.
Born in Eastern Europe, Katz fought in the Soviet Red Army during World War II and was severely wounded in battle. He was placed in a morgue after being pronounced dead, but a doctor noticed faint signs of life and saved him. When he recovered, he learned that his entire family had perished in the Holocaust. Despite unimaginable loss, he chose to rebuild his life and to paint.
Since then, Katz has produced thousands of paintings, most of them portraits and landscapes reflecting his long journey from wartime Europe to modern Israel. “After so many years in Israel, I’m deeply happy that people can finally see the works I’ve poured myself into since my days in the Soviet Union,” Katz said. “These paintings tell the story of my life, all the way to the present. My latest piece was finished just two weeks ago in my room at the nursing home.”
When asked about his favorite piece, Katz points to “Snow in Jerusalem,” describing it as a reminder of a “beautiful time in my life and my deep love for the Holy City.”
Ezer Mizion’s Fulfill a Wish team gathered Katz’s scattered artworks, documented each one and coordinated the exhibition venue. Naomi Mizrahi, who directs the program, said the effort was one of their most challenging and meaningful.
“Finding a venue, collecting, and selecting the best works from different places, understanding the stories behind each piece, and overcoming language barriers were just some of the challenges,” she said. “We’re overjoyed that Salik’s wish came true. There’s no greater satisfaction than seeing his joy and excitement as he witnessed his dream come to life and saw his beautiful works displayed in a gallery. It truly was a dream fulfilled.”
Chama Yisraeli Sheyesser, senior director for older adult housing services at the Welfare Ministry, said the project symbolizes more than just an exhibition. “It’s a profound recognition of their humanity and their right to self-expression, even late in life,” she said. “That moment when a survivor achieves a dream they’ve held onto for years, and you see the joy and smile on their face - that’s a deeply moving moment.”
Katz continues to paint daily. In his modest room in Jerusalem, brushes and canvases surround him — testaments to a life that defied death, loss and silence through color and creation. “For me,” he said softly at the opening, “this exhibition is a dream come true.”