One Step Ahead: David J. Azrieli (Azrylewicz), Memoirs, 1939-1950

“Suddenly, Dayan burst through the door, muddy and exhausted… He gave specific instructions on when and where to meet, and we left the hotel.” Azrieli’s personal story (as told to his daughter) expresses his fierce loyalty to his family as well as his courage as he escaped to freedom time and again – always “one step ahead” of death. Adventures include escape occupied Poland to Uzbekistan, enlistment in the Anders’ Army, reaching Iran, escaping to Iraq disguised as an Arab deaf-mute. In Baghdad, with the help of Moshe Dayan and Enzo Sereni, he was concealed on a bus that smuggled weapons into Palestine, hidden in coffins. “David Azrieli, Canadian architect, real estate developer, philanthropist and builder… here recounts his years as a refugee at the outbreak of World War II… Episodes of his life during these years dispassionately told, this memoir reflects the courage, resilience and idealism of the young Azrieli.” [Dais].