This is my elder brother Solomon Bogdanov, called Syoma by us. He sent this picture to my parents from Moscow. The picture was taken in 1940.

He had excellent marks at school and was able to finish a two-year curriculum within one year. In 1929 he finished the tenth grade of the Russian compulsory school at the age of 15. Our father sent him to Moscow where he became a student of the physics and mathematics department at the age of 15. We took pride in Solomon. In spite of poor material conditions and lodging he was an excellent student and finished his studies brilliantly.

Syoma got married in 1940, and in 1941 his daughter Susanna was born. Syoma was more than a brother to me: he was my teacher, my mentor and my spiritual guide.