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When he was about to cross over to the other side Joseph knew that once they find two different documents in his pocket he will be doomed. One document was an American re-entry permit, which had multiple entry visas to Israel, while the other document, which was in their possession, was a Polish Consulate Passport issued in Chicago and was not stamped.

Joseph stood perplexed. All of a sudden he begins to drift away. As if in a trans or a fainting state, he hears a voice, ‘take the re-entry permit and put it in your bag.’ He obeys and zips the duffle bag.

He came back to himself when someone tapped him on the shoulder and was asked to follow. Joseph was about to take the bag, but was told to leave it behind. Next he was stripped and searched

The American re-entry permit was not found, but only a mini tape recorder, a western novelty in those days. The officer had asked Joseph if this is a ‘fotoaparat’ (camera). He replied saying that this was a ‘magnetofon’, (tape recorder). They asked him to play the tape, but as he played it he noticed his secretary’s voice that used some Bible verses; and the Hebrew word SHALOM just leaped out. In those days, in Russia such words were a big ‘no, no.' Instantly he pushed the record button erasing the message. The officer grabbed the tape out of Joseph’s hand and screamed, ‘what did you do? ‘I erased few things I did not want you to hear’ he said. This disrespectfulness infuriated them even more.

After the interrogation Joseph was escorted to a photo shoot area, but the photographer had difficulties with the camera. He made many pictures, but what he really seemed to enjoy was his vulgarity. After he finished the photo shoot and verbal abuses, he left the room. But on the way out Joseph cursed his camera so that no film would develop.

Holding a Kolashnikov pointed at the prisoner a young soldier was now escorting Joseph to a bus and on to the arrest house.

It was mid winter and it was freezing cold, the heating did not work and there was no hot water; the toilet was unusable and in the middle of the room there was a puddle of frozen water. The sealing was leaking and the bed was wet, the measly brown rag of a blanket could not warm a mouse let alone a human. A soldier guarded the door. An awful stench permeated the air.

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