Chicurel's Memoirs

Author: Ronald Chicurel

Chicurel's Memoirs: Childhood Memories of an Egyptian Jewish Grandfather. These memoirs were written by the grandson of the founder of the great Chicurel department stores for his grandson, Ben, at the request of his daughter, Valerie. They depict an important historical period, not only in the eventful life of the Chicurel family but also in the modern history of Egypt in general. During this era, Egypt was capable of dissolving differences between religious sects and various communities residing within it. The author of the memoirs says of his father, Salvatore Chicurel, who was the head of the Jewish community between 1946 and 1957, that he was Egyptian to the core. He sought every means to put his expertise and connections at the service of his country, Egypt, and chose to stay and bravely endure hardships until his family's life was at risk. He recalls seeing President Gamal Abdel Nasser in their Zamalek home, dressed in a smart military uniform, always smiling and alert. He also mentions that President Sadat addressed his father in 1976, asking him to return to Cairo and assuring him that his properties would be returned. He responded to the letter with gratitude, but informed the President that his father would not be able to return to Egypt because he had passed away.