From The Morgue To A Jerusalem Art Gallery

Ezer Mizion fulfills a wish of 101 year old Holocaust Survivor and Artist Honored with a Solo Exhibition

Bezalel (Salik) Katz, a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor, fought in the Red Army during World War II, was critically wounded, and just moments before being declared dead in the morgue, came back to life. His entire family perished in the Holocaust, but he chose life. Since then, he has created thousands of artworks, including paintings he continues to produce today in the nursing home where he resides.

His lifelong wish was to receive public recognition and to exhibit his art to a wide audience. Now, thanks to Ezer Mizion's Fulfill a Wish program for Holocaust Survivors run in partnership with Israel Social Services Ministry, his dream has come true. For the first time in his life, a solo exhibition titled "Flying Through Time" was launched, showcasing his portraits, landscapes, and other works created over the decades.

Bezalel Katz's life story is one of extraordinary resilience and creative spirit. As a young man, he fought in the Red Army and was gravely injured in battle. He was placed in the morgue, but a vigilant doctor noticed faint signs of life and miraculously saved him. After a long recovery, he learned that his entire family had been lost in the Holocaust. Yet he found the strength to go on and even to create. He has never stopped painting.

Over the years, he has produced thousands of portraits and landscapes, continuing to paint even now at the "Neve Horim" nursing home in Jerusalem, where he currently lives. His heartfelt wish was to hold an exhibition where his work could finally receive the recognition it deserves.

Staff from Ezer Mizion's Geriatrics Services, Fulfill a Wish Division rallied to fulfill Salik's wish while he is still alive. They gathered his paintings from various locations, documented each piece, and found a gallery in Jerusalem. And now, for the first time in his life, a solo exhibition -"Flying Through Time"—was held at the Harmony Center in Jerusalem.

Salik (Bezalel) Katz shared:

"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. 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 people ask me which painting I love most, it's hard to choose, but Snow in Jerusalem is one of my favorites. It reminds me of a beautiful time in my life and my deep love for the Holy City. For me, this exhibition is a dream come true."

Naomi Mizrahi, director EzerMizion's Fulfill a Wish program said:

"This was one of the most special, complex, and moving wishes we've ever fulfilled. 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. 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. It's our duty to bring comfort to those who survived the horrors of the Holocaust, and we'll continue working to make their wishes and dreams come true in the final years of their lives."

Chama Yisraeli Sheyesser, Senior Director of Housing Services for Older Adults at the Ministry of Welfare, added:

"The 'Fulfill a Wish' project is a deeply meaningful initiative by the Ministry of Welfare and Ezer Mizion, giving survivors the chance to fulfill dreams that remained just dreams. It's an opportunity for Holocaust survivors whose childhoods were stolen by war and who later helped build the country, families, and communities to realize a heartfelt wish. This is far more than a kind gesture—it's a profound recognition of their humanity and their right to self-expression, even late in life. 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."

Credit: Orit Rozenfelder.

In the group photo – Salik's family members together with the Ezer Mizion's "Fulfill a Wish" Team.