The biography of Nitza Fait

In this book, I wish to tell you about my grandmother, Nitza Fait. My grandmother has been a role model throughout my life, and this is her story.

Nitza was born in Haifa to a family with major roots in Israel. Her family lived in Israel for 16 generations, while my grandmother was the youngest daughter (out of 4 brothers).

When she was five years old, she and her family moved to a small hut in Petah Tikva.

As a student at school, she was the lead singer of the choir and even sang a solo song on the local radio station.

In the eighth grade, she performed in the “Doctor Doolittle”, which been directed by the director of “Habima” theatre. After participating in the play, she was invited to study at Habima School, but unfortunately, her parents objected.

As can be understood, my grandmother’s family did not have many means. Therefore, after graduating the eighth grade, she took on the management of the household, took a clerical course, and began to work in a full-time job at the neighborhood grocery store to support her family.

Since many Holocaust survivors came to Petah Tikva at that time, she learned Yiddish alone as part of her work at the grocery store, which helped her later to have a conversation with her husband’s parents.

My grandmother served in the army. During her military service, she got married to my grandfather, against the wishes of her family, because he was Polish and not “Tzabar” like they were.

Moreover, my grandmother was a feminist, relatively to the times, which exacerbated the relationship between her and her family, until their final separation.

She held the belief that girls should serve in the military, study, travel the world, and most importantly fulfill themselves.

Although she did not finish high school, did not get a driver’s license, her husband did not agree to leave the country (after arriving in Israel from the injustices of the Holocaust he was not willing to leave the land of Israel) and fought (and won!)  breast cancer, twice.

She took enrichment courses, traveled the world by herself, and saved her money for the purpose of letting all her children (two of them are girls) go to university and get a driver’s license.

Until the day she passed away, she insisted that girls, as boys should learn, lead and influence in whatever field they choose.

Thanks to her, I learned what modesty should look like, how to be a true feminist, and that I have to fulfill my dreams, even if they do not match the will of my closest environment.

I dedicate this book to my grandmother, Let her soul rest in peace, and wish to continue on her inspiring legacy.

The next song is a song that reflects Grandma’s path