Egyptian Jewish memoirs Al-Bir Arih

Editing: Mona Abdelazim Publisher: Dar Al Shorouk for Publishing and Distribution Publication Date: 2023 About the Book: Some may wonder about the reason I wrote my memoirs, why I didn't write earlier, and why I chose to do this in the later days of my life. The truth is, I did not choose my family, nor my country, but I chose the shape of my life... I was born during King Fuad's era, and I lived through the entire reign of King Farouk, and I witnessed the July Revolution starting with Mohamed Naguib, passing through Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, Hosni Mubarak, Mohamed Morsi, the January 25 Revolution, and reaching President Sisi. I lived through this extended period in Egypt, and I saw its advantages and disadvantages. My testimony is not just a record of the country's history, but rather a testimony of the people who lived in it and outside it... I regret to find many who talk about the past and say wrong things out of ignorance. But, at the same time, there are current generations trying to genuinely understand the past. Indeed, Egyptian society was cosmopolitan and liberal, open to the West, with no noticeable religious fanaticism, and the buildings of Cairo and Alexandria resembled European buildings—clean and majestic. But this does not negate the existence of shanties and slums, and people walking barefoot in the streets. And so, I find myself a source of information, even if I did not choose this role entirely willingly... I am not regretful of my ideas, even if some of my convictions have changed over time. My political views are what taught me to love Egypt, to cling to it, and to reject any attempt to deny it. The most beautiful period of my life was the time in prison, where I interacted with people, felt them, made friendships, and truly understood Egyptian society.