Chess set from Saalfelden DP camp

This chess set was made by young concentration camp survivors. They presented it to the American commandant of their DP camp in thanks, as the inscription says, also expressing the hope of being able to leave soon for Palestine. The wedding photos of Bilal and Moshe Talit also reflect the wish for a “normal” life and future. The photos and chess set are from Saalfelden, location of one of the many American DP camps. The refugees called it “Givat Avoda,” hill of work, as an expression of their Zionist aspirations.