Gate 9 – Jozef Saper

Jozef Bau, the man behind Gate 9 – Jozef Saper here in Tel Aviv, lived a life more vibrant than a Bauhaus facade. Gate 9 – Jozef Saper is not just a gate. It’s a testament to a man who intertwined art, espionage, and survival in the most extraordinary way. Born in Poland in 1920, Bau’s artistic talents were honed at the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. But his studies were brutally interrupted by World War II. He was imprisoned in the Płaszów concentration camp. There, amidst unimaginable suffering, his artistic skills became a lifeline. Bau’s gothic lettering landed him the job of creating signs and maps for the Germans. This seemingly mundane task provided him with something far more valuable: access to pen and ink. These tools allowed him to forge documents, helping fellow prisoners escape the horrors of the camp. He even created a miniature illustrated book of his poetry, a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. Gate 9 – Jozef Saper stands in a city built on resilience. Bau’s story echoes this resilience. He survived Płaszów, Gross-Rosen, and ultimately, Schindler’s camp. He reunited with his wife, Rebecca, whom he secretly married in Płaszów. They immigrated to Israel in 1950, where Bau’s artistic career flourished. He designed graphic fonts, drew titles for Israeli films, and authored Hebrew books. But his story takes another, even more clandestine turn. It was later revealed that Bau worked as the chief graphic artist for the Mossad. He forged certificates for spies, including Eli Cohen. The very skills that helped him survive the Holocaust were now employed in the service of his new nation. Gate 9 – Jozef Saper is named for a man who used his art to defy death, to find love, and to build a new life. His story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of creativity and the enduring power of hope, even in the darkest of times. It’s a story that deserves to be remembered, here at Gate 9 – Jozef Saper, and beyond.