“It’s my life. It defines me. It’s who I am,” says Salik Katz, a 101-year-old holocaust survivor. All his life, he has loved drawing. And he’s good at it. Really good.
After being severely injured as a soldier in the Red Army during World War II, Salik was assumed dead and placed in the morgue. Slight movement noticed by a doctor was his key to life. He recuperated and studied art in Ukraine, later making his way to Israel, where he continued creating with a deep love for life and beauty. His work was impressive and touched a chord in all who viewed one of his pieces. Over the years, many were sold, many were given as gifts. His work could be found around the globe.
And now he is 101 and a deep desire has risen within his inner being. Now, at the zenith of his life, he dreams of gathering as many of his works as possible, those from his youth, those from more recent years, to create a public exhibition go on display for all to see. Recognition for his life’s work: a human need we all share.
But he is 101. With the energy and stamina of 101. The dream is strong but his physical abilities are not. Enter Ezer Mizion.
Thanks to a moving collaboration between Ezer Mizion, the Neve Horim nursing home where he resides, and the Ministry of Welfare, Salik’s dream finally came true. Creative, out of the box thinking got the word out and paintings began to arrive. Exquisite paintings, truly unique. Each one a gem. Salik’s joy was palpable as his ‘children’ arrived, one by one.
And now it was time. Time for the showing. Relatives, friends – new and old, fellow nursing home residents and, of course, Ezer Mizion staff and volunteers all arrived to share his joy and view samples of a lifetime of creativity. The very air seemed to dance with joy as it enveloped our ebullient artist, surrounded in all his glory. He stood proudly in front of his artwork, embraced by a loving audience, and enjoying the appreciation and honor he had earned many times over.
Ezer Mizion’s Fulfilling A Dream Division offers the elderly the opportunity to choose an event they wish to experience, something they can look forward to. Ezer Mizion receives requests from social workers or family members of lonely, disabled, elderly people throughout Israel. After reviewing the requests, Ezer Mizion coordinates the logistics of making these dreams come true.
We are deeply proud to help fulfill the dreams of Salik and others like him who built this country, those whose resilience and spirit continue to inspire us all.
