Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on March 21, 2013

Tzipora S. secured her passport from Iran to Switzerland by miracle.

When I went to renew my passport and get a tourist visa to Switzerland, they asked me why I didnt bring my old one with me. I had gone to Israel before the revolution, Tzipora, who could not use her full name because of security reasons, said. I told the authorities someone must have taken it. But the truth is that I had burned my passport. They called my husband to come and substantiate the story.

Esther and Avraham S. sat there shaking, the authorities interrogating them. Then, by miracle, the man behind the counter became ill.

He had a terrible stomach ache, all of a sudden, Esther recalled. So he just signed the papers and let me go.

The plans were to travel to the United States and visit her sons, three of whom at the time were studying at Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Pikesville. Avraham was forced to stay behind; the Iranians were worried that Esther would not return and Avraham was her guarantor.

The year was 1985 or 1986.

Esther took her then 4 12-year old son with her and traveled to Switzerland, where she was told she would need to travel to Vienna, be recognized as an Iranian refugee and then make her way to the U.S.

Refugee. Refugee. Refugee.

Esther recalled that she did not like the word. She did not want to be a refugee.

I had my house, my car, a married daughter and my husband still in Iran, she said. But her husband and sons told her to stick to the mission.

See the original post:
Exodus: Passover And The Themes of Refuge And Immigration

Category: Jewish American Heritage Month
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