"My Mother Was Deaf-Mute, But That Never Bothered Us"

Background:

Saadia Levi, 80 years old, was born in a small farming village in Yemen and arrived in Israel at the age of 8. During their journey to Israel, his family walked for four months from their home to the city of Aden, where they waited another year and two months before immigrating to Israel. Upon arrival in Israel, the family was housed for several months in a tent at the 'Ein Shemer' immigration camp. Later, they lived for three years in the Ma'abarot transit camp in Kula, before moving to Giv'at Koah, where they settled. Saadia later bought a house in Yehud, where he still resides. Throughout his life, Saadia worked in military industry, and now he assists the elderly. He is a father of six children and a grandfather to grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Childhood Memory

"We lived in a Jewish-only village in Yemen, far from the Arab village. My parents worked in agriculture during the week, growing various vegetables and legumes. As a child, I mostly remember the weddings in the village. Each wedding was a significant event with two weeks of celebrations before and after the marriage. Before leading the bride and groom to the chuppah, people would dance in front of them with a special instrument called the 'mizrah.' This instrument was filled with oil and lit on fire, balanced on the head, while dancing before the couple. Women prepared special dishes for the wedding, and men played on cans, danced, and sang for the groom till midnight. For us, the children, it was a special experience to see all this joy and enjoy the special foods prepared for it.

"I also remember our immigration to Israel. We walked for four months to Aden, with mothers cooking on wood fires, as there was not even a single kerosene stove available. The local non-Jews exploited the situation by setting up numerous checkpoints where they charged tolls from those who wished to pass. This nearly depleted all our money. Additionally, before boarding the plane, women were told they had to remove all their jewelry or else the plane would not be able to take off. I remember how my grandmother took off her special jewelry, got off the plane, and buried them in the ground. This was certainly a sacrifice on her part for the sake of immigration. However, through the window of the plane, we saw the very people who instructed us doing so were digging out the bounty from the ground. This malicious exploitation of our innocence hurt us deeply. Nevertheless, upon our arrival in Israel, we thanked Hashem and blessed Him for having kept us alive and enabling us to reach the Holy Land.

"Initially, our family was housed in a tent in the immigration camp, where men couldn't find work, compounding the already difficult situation. Later, when we moved to the Ma'abarot transit camp in Kula, they were sent to work in agriculture around Hadera. Three years later, we were given land in Giv'at Koah, where we settled and started farming. Initially, we sowed some vegetables and sold them; later, we added goats, and eventually, we managed to expand and breed cows. Gradually, the settlement developed, and my family, experienced in agriculture from generations, found its place. However, at a certain point, we decided to move to Yehud, where I, as a member of an agricultural family, bought land, raising sheep, goats, and chickens. Over the years, the area became more urban, and I was asked to remove the livestock. Today, my daughters have built their homes on this land."

The thing I am most happy about doing in my life:

"I am most happy about having our six children— three sons and three daughters. They are the most significant achievement in our lives and our happiness."

What I regret:

"I regret the early death of my parents. I lived near them all my life, and parting from them was very difficult for me. My mother was deaf-mute, but it never bothered us, as we communicated with her through sign language. As children, we didn’t even notice her difference until our father sat down to explain it to us. My father, a good-looking scholar, the son of the chief rabbi of the region, came to ask for her hand from her parents, who were the wealthiest in the village. They were delighted to have a son-in-law focused on Torah, and my mother's condition was never an obstacle for him."

A significant life insight

"We Yemenites never refused any work, doing whatever was given. We’ve always been manual laborers and yet, people of Torah. The simplicity in which we were willing to take any job is important and significant in my eyes, as it enabled us to lift ourselves and build life."

What changed for me after turning 70

"Although I've aged, I've never stopped working. Currently, I'm employed by a company that helps the elderly, doing this work for 19 years. Every day, I visit the homes of two individuals, spending two hours with them, conversing and studying Torah. There were times I thought of leaving, but the company wouldn’t let me go, and one of the patients even cried, saying he couldn’t continue without me. Thus, I’ve assisted many people from various backgrounds, and I firmly believe that anyone who wants to keep busy even at this age can do so. Every day, I make time to eat and rest and then engage in Torah study and attend prayers at the synagogue."

What changed in my surroundings after turning 70

"I am blessed that my children are my neighbors, all living close by. My eldest son, who lives in Rosh HaAyin, often comes for Shabbat, and I bless every day for having everyone nearby. On holidays, we also gather together as an extended family, sharing meals. My daughters care for us day and night, the grandchildren visit, and they bring me great joy, they are my pride."

From the height of my years, the most important thing in life is...

"Torah and work. The Torah is our life and the length of our days, nothing compares. Work benefits a person, giving them life. Sometimes a person feels down, and engaging in work helps forget this. Being busy with life grants longevity, while idleness and boredom can lead to very bad places."

What I would like to pass on to future generations

"I always tell my grandchildren— 'Look how your grandfather is 80 and still working, learn to be diligent and keep yourselves busy. This will bring you joy and long life, filling your lives with meaning and goodness.'"

Do you have a grandparent who wants to share their experiences and insights from their world? Please write to us, and we'll get back to you: support@htv.co.il