FOUR GERMAN JEWS REMEMBER THE 20TH CENTURY 146 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK THE CENTROPA ARCHIVE never missed aCafé Centropa event. to Vienna. Even though Herbert Lewin was legally blind, until he was ninety-three he town in East Prussia, emigrated to mandate Palestine, and made his way, postwar, being regaled with the stories of Herbert Lewin (born 1917), who grew up in asmall Not surprisingly, by 2016 our group has grown considerably smaller, and we all miss that: meeting with our Holocaust survivors month every over the since. decade up. They immediately asked: can we do this next month? We have doing been just Austrian Jews we interviewed over the years, and some seventy-five of them showed bassador Susan McCaw, we Centropa at held athank-you event for the elderly With the support of the United States Embassy in Vienna in May 2006, and then-am- possible. this interview made Nazis. Our partners the at Fritz Bauer Institute in Frankfurt and the mayor’s office ther who was sure that being a First World War veteran would protect him from the spoke of her childhood in Frankfurt, her Zionist youth club, and about her grandfa- living facility in Tel Aviv. They spoke afternoon every for four days and Erna Goldmann A year later, Tanja met with Erna Goldmann (born 22 December 1917) in an assisted harrowing escape to mandate Palestine as if it were yesterday. where he lived only one street away from Rosa Rosenstein. He told of his family’s ers in his garden, and shared with Tanja aremarkable story of growing up in Berlin, mid-nineties, still maintained his prim suburban house, tended the plants and flow- utive, elegantly Hillel clad Kempler. Mr Kempler (born 26 October 1925), also his In 2008, in aprim suburb in north Tel Aviv, Tanja knocked on the door of the dimin- her second husband moved to Vienna in 1947. of Berlin, raising her family there, and then surviving the war in Budapest. She and (born 25 December 1907) painted apicture of growing up in the poor Jewish quarter in an apartment thick with cigarette smoke, the ninety-six year old Rosa Rosenstein Rosenstein, who, like Tanja, born been had in Berlin. Over the course of five visits, Our chief interviewer in Vienna is Tanja Eckstein, and in 2002 Tanja met with Rosa there. childhood their out our project in Germany itself. We did, however, interview four people who spent tries during our of decade gathering oral histories (2000–2009), we never carried Although Centropa conducted more than twelve hundred interviews incoun - fifteen four GermanJews telltheirstories FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES ten for them, and how they rebuilt their lives in the decades after. that exists no more, about how they managed to escape the fate that writ been had - Cottee. Each of them looks their back at lives and shares with us stories of aworld Rosenstein, and Herbert Lewin have edited been by Lauren Granite and Dominique In the following pages, the interviews with Erna Goldmann, Hillel Kempler, Rosa Tanja Eckstein (standing)atCafe Centropa in2016. 147 148 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Erna Goldmann, borninFrankfurt amMain in1917, was interviewed by Tanja Eckstein inTel Aviv inAugust2010. ERNA GOLDMAN die in aconcentration camp. he But was alone, without his family. Christian family hid him in Frankfurt. I don’t know when he died, but I know he didn’t lived in a Jewish hotel. When the hotel was Aryanized and the owner deported, a brother, mymother, and already Ihad gone. been He to had up give his house and grandfather’sMy life ended tragically. He didn’t manage out to of get Germany. My and impressive. otherwise But we didn’t have anything to do with Christian holidays. member that, Isaw it. Iwas achild, and something like that always looks beautiful Christmas tree for our non-Jewish staff, organized presents, and lit candles. Ire- my grandfather went to the synagogue together. my grandfather But also bought a Saturday]. He kept all holy days and went to the synagogue regularly. father My and and didn’t drive on Shabbat [Hebrew: Sabbath, from sundown Friday to sundown grandfatherMy was religious. He only ate kosher food [followed Jewish dietary laws] thing Iremember. desk, where he read newspapers and wrote letters morning. every is That the only apartment. The way Iknew him, he didn’t do anything. He was sitting home at his at we still agood had life. We acook had and housekeepers—and aseven-bedroom in 1923, he was wealthy, very but then he lost alot of money. when But Ithink back, Frankfurt. They told me that he acoffee had import company. Until inflation set in grandfatherMy was atall, handsome man. Supposedly, he was well very known in were also rooms for the service staff in the attic. my grandfather occupied the middle floor and we on thelived second floor. There grandfather. It three had floors. On the lowest floor, a doctorlived with his family; landmark and the oldest building in Frankfurt. The house we lived in belonged to my called Eschenheimer Anlage. Atit’s beginning, there was the Eschenheimer Tower there were houses to the right and to the and left, the street between them was with him Eschenheimer at Anlage 30. Eschenheimer Anlage was ahuge complex— maternalMy grandfather’s name was Michael Rapp. In Frankfurt, we lived together people called her Rosi—and three sons. All the children were born in Frankfurt. named after mygrandmother. grandparents My four had children: mymother Rosa— Rapp. When Iwas born, she already had died. Jewish My name is also Chava; Iwas I never to got know mymaternal grandmother. Her name was Eva [Hebrew: Chava] Tel Aviv,Israel FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES They wrote in Sütterlin script back then. god, My that was such along time ago! when Iwas a child. There were no typewriters yet, only big books and inkbottles. two or three employees the at office. I remember I that visited himat the office fatherMy was acorn merchant. He took over the business from his father. He had marriedgot in 1903 or 1904. movements, where young people could have to gotten know other. each parents My was—as it was common that time—an at arranged marriage. There were no youth I don’t know where exactly myparents to got know other, each but Iknow that it know. I that I didn’t know them, why they never came to visit us. parents My went to visit them; never togot know them, even though they becomehad fairly old. I don’t know, why father’sMy parents came from Worms [Germany]. Their name was Guggenheim. I Erna Goldman(néeGuggenheim)andherfamily atthebeach.From lefttoright:heraunt Flora, hergrandfather Michael,andErna.Katwijk,theNetherlands, 1933. 149 150 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK home economics. She made had many friends back then and still spent alot of time tances. mother My attended aJewish girls’ boarding school, where she was taught concerts and they often invited guests. We only Jewish had friends and acquain - parentsMy did not to go the theater often, but sometimes very they went to see when mybrother took me there. and Café Laumer was famous a very one; it still exists today. I was always proud very was really something special. There were not alot of cafés in Frankfurt that time, at Frankfurt, he took me out to Café Laumer 67 at Bockenheimer Landstraße. That different universities; in Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and time every he visited us in great relationship with mybrothers. They did spoil me. Karl studied medicine at motherMy often said—I still hear her—“Oh, how your brothers spoil you!” I a had baby daughter, after two sons. always That makes parents happy, doesn’t it? veloped. Ithink that this is normal. perfectly father My was crazy about me: alittle was young, she often kissed me, but when I entered puberty, a certain distance de- motherMy was atall, blonde, respectable woman. She was aloving mother. When I noted in our Tefillah [Hebrew: family register]. was born during the night of December 21–22, 1917”—that is mygrandfather what born home, at and not the at hospital. dear “My granddaughter Erna Guggenheim was born on December 22, 1917, in our house in Frankfurt. Back then everybody was 1906. brother My Paul was seven years older than me; he was born on April 18, 1910. I oldestMy brother Karl was twelve years older than me; he was born on January 12, these evenings, and we really looked forward to them. we used to invite a lot of friends and children. We spent a lot of time preparing for the ancient Israelite exodus from he Egypt]; liked to do it and he did agood job, and the Passover seder [ritual marking the beginning of Passover that tells the story of we just thought it was homey. We celebrated all the high holidays. husband My led presentsgave to the children. It doesn’t have anything to do with religion, though; that this was anice evening. We also celebrated Chanukah. We lit the candles and I continued to celebrate Shabbat later with myfamily, [after Imarried]. We thought were good Jews, but they were not religious. also fasted until the evening. brothers My did not to go the synagogue all. at They father spent the whole day the at synagogue. mother My wasn’t there all day, but she Lights, celebrated for 8days in winter] and Yom at Kippur [day of atonement] my morning and warmed it up later. We used to light candles Chanukah at [Festival of wasn’t as nice it is at today. We celebrated Shabbat Friday. each They cooked in the though there were many Jews. Frankfurt But was not abig back then, city and it We kept akosher household. There were few kosher butchers in Frankfurt, even FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Erna Goldman(néeGuggenheim) infront ofherchildhoodhome.Frankfurt amMain, Germany, 1922. 151 152 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK movement named “Blau-Weiß” [German: Blue-White]. This youth movement was brothers—andMy me too—attended aZionist [Jewish nationalist movement] youth ride around with mygirlfriends. though; Iwent by foot. It took me 20 minutes there. to get In the afternoon, Iwould how old Iwas when it. Igot Everyone abike had that time. at I didn’t cycle to school, a lot. parents My pretty me gave bike; avery it was myRolls Royce. Ican’t remember the street and hop on one leg from one box to the next. Iwould also ride mybicycle sometimes we played hopscotch [Hickelkreis]. We would draw different forms onto help me with myhomework. Then Iwent down to the street to play with myfriends; together. After lunch, mymother used to take anap, or would sit next to me and I returned home from school 1pm. at Then our maid lunch, served and we all ate study. didn’t I student. Samson Raphael Hirsch School for 10 years. Iliked languages, but Iwas not agood Nazi era. So, Ididn’t to go adifferent school after the first four years.attended I the ble. in But mydays that was not the case anymore. We were already approaching the that they would learn as much as possi- years, and then to aChristian school, so kids to aJewish school for the first four modernbeen in our circle to send the was named after afamous rabbi. It had Samson Raphael Hirsch School, which er with myfriends. Iattended the I went to aJewish school togeth - realistic. very er, how she could take all this. She was after decades, Istill admire mymoth- a 3-bedroom apartment. Even today, our apartment: from a7-bedroom into sufficient profit. First, we remodeled our lives. Our store did not generate nomic crisis completely had changed 1929—when Iwas 12 years old—the- eco Until 1929, we agood had time. after But newspaper in the evening. worked all day. Atthe most, he read the went for awalk together. father My phone in the morning, and then they with them. She talked to them on the Erna Goldman(néeGuggenheim)'s olderbrother, Paul. Delft, the Netherlands, 1933. FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES practice. and Paul went there after Hitler risen had to power, in order commercial to get cousin. His name was Karl Rapp. He owned apaint in factory It Delft. was profitable, I don’t know he what did afterwards. We an had uncle in Holland, mygrandfather’s modern back then. He went to Holland. He was done with school after ten years, but brotherMy Paul was ahandsome man. He used to smoke his pipe, which was very camps. these went swimming and hiking. For our summer camp we went to Switzerland. Iloved to Frankfurt. We slept in tents or in youth hostels and cooked over an open fire. We to acamp in Döringheim, which is located on the right bank of the Main, close very We met several times aweek, even after Hitler risen had to power. In 1933 we went We went to the Frankfurt Forest City with our bikes and we went to camp together. talked alot about Israel. life My was never boring, because we were always together. didn’t out to go cafés, or to we eat, didn’t do that. We went hiking, we sang, and we just one of many Zionist groups back then; it was well very known the at time. We Erna Goldman(néeGuggenheim)'s olderbrother, Karl.Frankfurt amMain,Germany, 1930. 153 154 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Before the war, he even presented his ahousegot and acar with a chauffeur. established abig leatherwork factory, have anything. over But the years, he when he was 19 years old. He didn’t Germany from aPolish small town father-in-lawMy immigrated to kosher. kept holidays and the gious, but traditional. They celebrated that to had be written. She was reli - who wrote. She tended to everything mother-in-law. She was the only one Every letter he sent was written by my Poland; he nohad formal education. Eastern European Jewish family from ther, Adolf Goldmann, was born into an his mother came from Vienna; his fa- only 16. Moshe lived in Dessau. Ithink Moshe) Goldmann. He was 20, and Iwas Weiß.” His name was Martin (Hebrew: I met myhusband in 1933 “Blau- at on October 15, 2002, in Jerusalem. Amnon—and a daughter, Ruth. Karl died three children, two sons—David and they married got in Palestine. Karl had themet at Zionist Youth Movement and He agirlfriend had from Frankfurt; they togot Palestine, he went to Jerusalem. to come, you have to come!” When he parents over and over again: “You have happened in Germany and wrote to my Britain. Karl realized had early what because Palestine was ruled by Great acertificate needed from the British, Palestine. It wasn’t easy back then, you ternship, Karl Germany left and went to Virchow-Hospital in Berlin. After his in- even completed an internship the at In 1933, he finished had his studies and brotherMy Karl was afervent Zionist. factory. Postcard of Adolf Goldmann(Erna's father-in-law)'s am Main,Germany, 1933. Goldman, infront ofErna's childhoodhome.Frankfurt Erna Goldman(néeGuggenheim)'s husband,Moshe FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Palestine. atalent, Ihad But and mymum encouraged that. mother My knew some- I learned how to make jewelry. It was not aprofession that would be of much use in lifeWhat is that? already were Nazi parades. We pulled down the shutters, because we were afraid. Frankfurt was myhome. during But the last year before Iwent to Palestine, there he would write me. weBut spent the most time together “Blau-Weiß.” at When he was not in Frankfurt, Moshe went to Palestine in 1934. He visited me frequently between 1933 and 1934. end it was completely useless, because he couldn’t do anything with it here in Israel. Frankfurt, because his father wanted him to help with his factory, as well. in But the Moshe was born in Germany. He completed atanner’s apprenticeship close to was back then. it was typical of that time. Sonja’s family was from Eastern Europe. That’s the way it And mymother said: “Should Ilet mychild there?” go I’m telling you this, because member about her. We were friends, and once Iwas invited to her birthday party. came from the East. agirlfriend Ihad school, at her name was Sonja. That’s all Ire- Yekke [Jews from Germany] lived secluded from the non-Yekke, i.e., the Jews who more towards the West. There’s one thing I’m thinking about the at moment. The Many poor Jews lived there. Those who were better off, the assimilated Jews, lived There was aquarter in Frankfurt—Ostende (East-End)—the eastern partof Frankfurt. than us. Eastern But Jews remained Eastern Jews. though many Eastern families come had along way and often had achieved more The Western Jews disliked the Eastern Jews. They were not classy enough, even my father was Western avery European Jew. was That ahuge difference back then. So Moshe was the child of agood, Jewish family—but an Eastern European one. And clothes and took abroom, and that’s how they in, got and they even good got seats. law took the work clothes and brooms from the cleaning staff, everyone put on the kids.” They told him that he couldn’t come in without an invitation. Somyfather-in- an invitation. Sohe said: name “My is Goldmann, Iwant in to get there with mytwo was asked: “Mr. Goldmann, do you have an invitation?” Ofcourse he didn’t have Basel with Moshe and Moshe’s sister, Lotte. They there, got and myfather-in-law My grandfather,My too, was a fervent Zionist. He went to the 17 also worked in the factory. our shop”—that was one of his slogans for his products. Lotte, his oldest daughter, products the at Leipzig Trade Show. “If you’re smart and on the top, buy a purse in th Zionist Congress in 155 156 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Palestine. It wasn’t only self-evident, it was our goal. and other things in Palestine—it was self-evident to me that we would immigrate to kibbutz Because Iwas amember of “Blau-Weiß”—where we talked alot about Palestine, inbeen Palestine, and thank God he wrote that. always wrote: “You have to come as quickly as possible!” Thank God he already had motherMy then decided we to had go, too. It was probably also because mybrother it alot. education, and their parents were Nazis, too. It hurt alot. It’s strange, Ithink about street. She looked me, at but didn’t greet. That’s the way it was. It was the Nazi Youth used to play together on the street. One day, Ithink it was in 1935, we met on the age. Ofcourse, she went to aChristian school, but because we were children, we you now was typical of the time back then. The janitor adaughter, had she was my brothers gone. had We ajanitor, had who lived in the room in the attic.What I’ll tell mother,My my grandfather and I were home at alone, my father died had and my to him, as well. Iremember this conversation as if it were yesterday. they don’t mean me,” mygrandfather said. He couldn’t believe that this would apply anymore. Didn’t you thewhat see sign said? is forbidden Entry for Jews.” “Well, but forbidden for Jews.” Somymother said to mygrandfather: “Dad, you can’t there go was adesignated public swimming area, and one day asign was is put up: “Entry titude. grandfather, My for instance, used to swimming go in the Main River. There my father felt like German citizens: “Nothing can happen to us!” was That their- at Hitler would just by. go Oh, it’s horrible just to think about that! grandfather My and fatherMy thought Hitler would just by. go Just like alot of the German Jews thought, Jews enrolled the at school. we couldn’t come back the next day, because they were not allowed to have any our boss wouldn’t us give any more work to do. Before we went home, they told us Mainzer Landstraße, Ithink. One day, it was an afternoon in 1935, we wondered, why Then Istarted the at Städel School [School of Applied which Arts], was located in left. his wife were wonderful human beings. He didn’t want to live in Nazi Germany and for the county Hessen-Nassau, Ithink it was for the of city Frankfurt. Kurt Jobst and 1934, we even agarden had their at party house. In 1935, we made an enamel piece apprentices, three Jewish girls. We aclose had relationship with the Jobst family. In was areal artist, Ilearned alot from him. He was not aJew, but he only Jewish had ticeship Jobst’s at precious metal forge, where Istayed for almost ayear. Mr. Jobst one who was abit of an artist, and he introduced us to Kurt Jobst. an Igot appren- im [Hebrew: pl. of kibbutz , a collective, agricultural community in Israel] FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Erna Goldman(néeGuggenheim) asanapprentice atJobst's precious metalforge. Frankfurt amMain,Germany, 1934. 157 158 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK I still shudder today when Ithink about it! really stirred up hatred against Jews. In Frankfurt, there were Nazi everywhere. flags ticipated something like that, even though there were Hitler speeches, in which he eventuallywhat happened we not had anticipated. Ofcourse, no one could have an- going to happen in Germany. We experienced this strong sense of antisemitism, but Onlyleft. afew stayed behind. It was atime of dissolution. We didn’t know was what us that we would leave Germany forever. Most of mymother’s friends already had to attend the Jerusalem Academy of Applied Arts, the Bezalel School. It was clear to brotherMy acertificate got for my mother, andgot I one because I was supposed months. to SoIhad back. go maybe Icould stay there. myvisa But was not renewed by the British after the three Palestine for three months. Iwanted to visit myfriend Moshe, and Ithought that In the summer of 1936, before Ifinally moved to Palestine, I was on a tourist visa to Erna andMosheGoldmann's wedding Tel Aviv, Palestine,1937. FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Keren Kayemet is Gurion Ben Street today. on Yehuda Ben Street, and we lived on the corner of Keren Kayemet/Emile Zola. cafés. We sat together with friends, talked and drank coffee. sister-in-law My lived You could find everything you needed in Tel Aviv in 1937: streets, movie theaters, terday. The older Ibecome, the more to it gets me. And thank God, early. Ileft the But whole thing is still close to me, as if it were yes- in Germany. You know, the family staying together. You don’t find often. that very What I’ve always appreciated alot is that we all here got together, and no one stayed never went back to Germany. join him immediately. mother-in-law My took whatever she could grab and They left. Czechoslovakia. From there, he called his wife and told her to drop everything and ing he back!” But nonetheless. left he But didn’t back to go Germany, he went to my husband and Ickel [husband of Moshe’s sister, Lotte] said: “You are not- go father-in-lawMy came from Dessau to Tel Aviv for the wedding, and after that, exist anymore. It was an intimate wedding. of asmall hotel on Yarkon Street in Tel Aviv, on December 25, 1937. This hotel doesn’t FrankfurtI left for good during the summer of 1937 and married Igot in the garden wouldn’t together. sleep And when there, Igot they prepared abed had for him in the living room, so that we there with a sherut, a shared taxi. Moshe rented an apartment from a Yekke family. didn’t come to Haifa, either, but we met the next day. I went him, to see and I got When Iarrived, mybrother picked me up again. mum My stayed in Jerusalem. Moshe with me was asuitcase with afew dresses. the Jewish in Agency the mail that Icould pick up mycertificate. The only thing I had remember how Ifelt, and Ican’t remember Idid. what Finally, there was anote from We already had abandoned our apartment. Iwas alone for two, three weeks. Ican’t pired—my mum to had leave without me. Istayed in our house, in aroom in the attic. the certificate had to be used beforecertain a date—otherwise it would have ex- motherMy her got certificate [togo to Palestine] first, mine came a later.bit Because them. then; we only carpets got much later. still, But I’ve regretted that we didn’t bring pets, you won’t them need here.” Everything was so primitive in Palestine back things. We also wanted to bring carpets, but mybrother wrote: “Don’t bring car- we took from our house in Frankfurt. We didn’t take any furniture, but smaller that time you could even take big boxes to Palestine. Istill own alot of things that Then mymother and Istarted to pack our things. We dissolved our household; at 159 160 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK want to invite all your friends, and you don’t have any time to spare. there, Istopped making jewelry. When you have a big house and ahuge garden, you house. Ilived in this house for forty years. We ahuge had garden. When we moved about ten years in Ramat Gan. In 1963, we moved to Ramat Chen, where we built a pletely different than Dani. Dani was blonde first, at then got he darker. We lived for Then we moved to Ramat Gan, and in 1951 myson Rafael was born. Rafi wascom - jewelry. Back then, for the first ten years, my mother-in-law lookedoften after Dani. WIZO store in Tel Aviv. atable Ihad and asmall machine—just you what to make need We lived in Petach Tikva for about ten years. Imade myown jewelry, which Isold a at were many wars, but they never really to had to go war, it was only military service. any money official to get cars. Much later, my sons went to the military, as well. There for an officer. He drove his owncar, though, because the state of Israel didn’t have And then, immediately, war broke out. In this war, too, myhusband was achauffeur was Israel; it was our country. And from now on, Jews could legally immigrate. independent. Until then, Israel was under British mandate. From this day onwards, it me, for all of us. We waited had so long for the English to leave and for us to become an assembly on the main square and in front of the municipality. It was exciting very for born—and took him from Petach Tikva to Tel Aviv. There was abig fuss, and there was afterwards. husband My took our son Dani—he was eight years old, and Rafi wasn’t even When Gurion Ben declared Israel’s independence in May 1948, war started immediately big apartment building. It was terribly primitive, too, but was what Isupposed to do? alarm went off. Then we moved to Petach Tikva, where myparents-in-law owned this sometimes. We lived on the third floor, and I didn’t want go to down timeeach the was born on June 2, 1940. Just after the war broke out. Even Tel Aviv was bombed he didn’t have to to go Europe, he stayed around here as achauffeur. son My Daniel how it worked. Then World War II broke out, and he joined the British military. But husbandMy asmall had transport company. We didn’t have alot of money, but some- else. anything be wouldn’t naturalit seemed to me. Iadapted, and Iknew that this is how it was and that there in ice. And we didn’t have any for gas cooking; we to had cook on aPrimus stove. But didn’t have an electric fridge. We this had kind of refrigerator, where you to had put whenBut Ithink about it today: everything was so primitive! When married, Igot we friends. The whole Yehuda Ben Street spoke German! have you here?” been Iwas feeling great. Icould to go the in beach shorts and meet and we to had stop five every minutes: “Oh, hello, when did youget here, how long We abeautiful had apartment. In the morning, we went down Yehuda Ben Street, FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES about it… about ever. Iwas 49 years old back then, now I am 92 years old. Ishould stop thinking believe how they couldn’t do anything. I’ve alone been for such a long time, for- Hospital. Then he was lying there and they didn’t do anything. Today, I still can’t much too often. He aheart and had attack, they brought him to the Tel Hashomer because he was musical. very He died in 1967 of heart failure. Ithink about it husbandMy man. was He active loved a very cultural events, especially concerts, for generations. Pnina’s mother was born in Egypt, though. Iliked her family alot. Pnina, was a teacher. Her father was born in Israel; I think her family has lived here In 1964, Dani married. got Atthat time, we already lived in Ramat Chen. His wife, lished afactory, where plastic was produced. husband was one of the first people to do something like that. Then he even estab- could be made. was That profitable! very Then we also imported fromGermany. My husbandMy bought this foil and then re-sold it, so that curtains, tablecloths, etc., a husbandMy established a profitable business. He started out with rubber. There was Kibbutz , HaOgen, where they produced plastic foil. It was the beginning of plastic. Erna Goldman(néeGuggenheim)'s son,Daniel. Tel Aviv, Palestine,1940. 161 162 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK We celebrated my90 experiencerectly something terrible, it feels as if the dread and murder is still with me. there, too. For young people, its not the same as it was for us. Even though I did not di - sonsMy went to Poland with their school classes, to visit Auschwitz. grandson My was gether. Our closest relatives survived. my parents and mysiblings, and myhusband’s, as well, we all managed to stay to- you know, but there were people in our family who died during the Holocaust. But they read had or heard somewhere. Personally, Ididn’t really experience anything, I didn’t talk to mysons about myown history, and they were only interested in things don’t understand we’re what talking about, and that’s not polite. very I always speak German. only But when we are alone. Otherwise the other people my daughter-in-law and with mygrandchildren Ispeak Hebrew, but with myson Rafi still speak German. Ispeak Hebrew, too, but it’s hard for me to read and write. With All our friends in Israel comehad from Germany. We talked German home, at and I and he visits me regularly. retirement home, the house is beautiful. son My Rafi only lives a few minutes away, home alone. And then Isaw this beautiful apartment and Istayed. It is areally nice apartment here. Ithought that, when war breaks out, Iwant to be here, and not at of the second Iraqi war. Ididn’t want to stay home at alone that point. at an So Igot I’ve living been in this retirement home in Ramat Chen since 2003. It was the year came to Palestine. His daughter Odet and her son Adam live close to me. teaches Jewish History and her parents emigrated from Russia, when all the Zionists erything is so cheap. Rafi is 59 years old. He lives together with his wife Hannah. She lot has changed. There is so much competition, everything is produced in China, ev- finished school. We still own the store today, but it is not as profitable anymore. A Like Dani, Rafi started to work in my husband’s immediately factory after he had cident between Eilat and Tel Aviv. live in Israel, and Ikeep in with contact them. son My Dani died in 1990, in acar- ac but of course Iliked the idea. Moshe and Joni have kids of their own now. All of them be named after myfather. Ididn’t want involved; to get Ithought it was her decision, the first anniversary of my husband’s death, and Pnina’sparents decided he should Moshe. He is 43years old today; and their daughter, Joni, is 40. Moshe was born on sonMy and his wife two had children. They named their son after myhusband, a surprise visit. surprise a even two nephews and aniece from Holland—my brother Paul’s children—came for evening, it was decorated beautifully, just for us. It was awonderful celebration, and th birthday in Yaffa. Rafi picked a nicevery restaurant. On this FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Erna Goldman(néeGuggenheim), herhusbandMoshe,and oldestsonDaniel. Tel Aviv, Palestine,1943. 163 164 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Rosa Rosenstein, borninBerlin1907, was interviewed by Tanja Eckstein inViennaJuly2002. ROSA ROSENSTEIN dishes [Passover: holiday commemorating the ancient Israelite exodus from Egypt] arate—red for daily use, or otherwise white. It was nice very home. at The Passover dishes were also separate and were washed separately. The tablecloths were sep- products.meat [Jewish religious law requires separation of milk and meat.] The for which we blue-checkered had hand towels. The red-checkered ones were for shopping. Everything was kosher home. at Blue utensils were for the milk products, Sussmann, there were shops—all poultry of it was kosher. That’s where you went Strasse, there were only Jewish shops. There was the kosher butcher shop from motherMy cooked kosher [according to Jewish dietary laws]. In Berlin, on Grenadier- quarreled. doesn’t That happen in many families. never mean other. to each Sure, we our had each own opinion, but we never really five of us siblings are close. very Each one of us has a distinct character, but we were First World War. We still call him Anschi. He and his wife were just here for avisit. All with the Jewish name Anschel—was the youngest. He was born in 1915 during the in 1911; and Cilly was the youngest sister, she was born in 1913. brother My Arthur— sisterMy came second and Betty was born in 1909. Erna was the third—she was born father” was added to mybirth certificate. I still have it. Braw recognizes Rosa Goldstein as his daughter. And she carries the name of the office, since the marriage wouldn’t have been recognized otherwise. Later, “Jakob Jewish wedding. Atsome point myparents again to marry needed the at civil registry certificate my name is still RosaGoldstein, after my mother.parentsMy firsthad a 1907. Icame ten months later. Iwas born on 25 December 1907 in Berlin. On mybirth riage. They were distant relatives. parents My were married in Galicia on 7February motherMy was to myfather engaged for along time. was That aprearranged mar- was even made of turnips—the bread, too. the food was abit scarce and we ate turnips. The whole house smelled of it. The jam shoes. mother My could also do everything. We were never hungry. Atsome point the farmers and groceries got for us so that we wouldn’t starve. He also soled our veins. was That his luck! He was home at and could take care of us. He drove out to during the First World War but was always sent back because he varicose bad had business and aretail shop. father My was never drafted. He was inspected four times fatherMy was atailor—a home tailor. Later we awholesale had men’s ready-to-wear Vienna, Austria FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES hung our dresses. our hung another drawer with all sorts of odds and ends. Then we a wardrobe had where we with amirror. Each girl her had own drawer—where we kept our underwear—and corner. There were two side on beds each and next to the door was alarge dresser We four sisters were together in one room. It was narrow and awindow had in the hot water for our baths. room, but there was abathtub and alarge wood-burning stove so that we could have toilets were in the apartment and we a had bathroom. It was primitive a very - bath In Berlin we lived on Templiner-Strasse. We a had large four-room apartment. The other was “Ahavat Chaim.” The prayer rooms were in some large back courtyard. parentsMy went to Jewish prayer houses. One was called “Ahavat Zedek,” and the lard. The goose liver Passover at was wonderful. tive. mother My would and buy geese roast them in the Passover dishes so we’d have were in agiant suitcase in the dropped ceiling. Bringing it down was always fes very - Rosa Rosenstein(néeBraw) withhersiblingsBettyChaim(néeBraw), ErnaGoldstein(néeBraw), CillyBrandstetter (née Braw), and Arthur Braw. Berlin,Germany, 1919. 165 166 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK what Iworewhat or how myhair looked. skirt My just to be needed loose enough and my things mine were already long gone—already cleaning rags. Ididn’t pay attention to you like it?” Then they would hang it up again. Bythe time they started wearing their the wardrobe for half ayear and time every they took something out they asked, “Do ripping your things?” everything Igot just like mysisters. Their things would hang in mirror.” mother My always said, “A boy was forfeited for you. How are you always She said to me, “Rosa, if you would just stand for five more minutes in front of the decent. mother My would rant and rave me. at I didn’t spend much time on clothing. new again—I coats was already wearing mysister’s old one since mine was no longer then sewn and patched. it But looked pretty shabby after awhile. Then we were given made beige coats. Ofcourse, Iimmediately tore a triangle on the side, which was Jewish New Year]. We always winter got things on Rosh Hashanah. Those were ready- We always new got things for the holidays—for Passover and Rosh Hashanah [the Rosa Rosenstein(néeBraw) andhersiblings.From righttoleft,seatedaccording toage: Rosa, Betty, Erna,Cillyand Arthur. BadBuckow, Germany, 1927. FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES She sevenhad brothers who all studied. Grandfather always said that it’s enough motherMy was a bookworm like me. In Galicia she only attended school for a year. gymnasium. summer we trained in Grunewald, did track and field. In winter we were in the “Bar Kochba.” was That aJewish association—half sports, half discussion. In the land.” that But wasn’t for us; we were Polish. Iwas in the Jewish gymnastics club, Jews who said, “For God’s sake, do what we want with that—Germany is our home- were in Jewish associations that aZionist had element. There were the German association the of at age 14 and wore the blue shirts that they wore. All mysiblings We were always Zionists. brother, My for example, was already in aZionist-Socialist others. the than was better everything aquick at pace. classmates Ihad who were 20 years old; Iwas 15but I you to had learn everything in half ayear: typing, stenography, bookkeeping—and to atrade school because my father me in needed the shop. At the trade school sistersMy also went to that school. then But to Ihad leave the school. to Ihad go Rachamim,” the evening prayer. morning we prayed “Modim anachnu lo,” and in the evenings recited the “El Male could do all the prayers. to Ihad pray. grandmother My took care of that. Early in the Selbiger. We didn’t learn cursive handwriting, but we learned the block letters. I Three times aweek for three hours we read biblical stories and Hebrew with Dr. building. Ialways came along when she went to confession. sionally, not privately. one Ihad But Christian childhood friend who lived in the same with noI had contact Christians whatsoever. parents My didn’t either—only profes- Lyceum. grade was like today’s first grade and first grade was the last grade. They called them any preschool back then. It began grade at nine and went to grade one. The ninth course, Iwas much too for lazy English, so Ionly learned French. There wasn’t I went to aJewish girls’ school. to Ihad learn French; English was an elective. Of Everyone tiled had stoves back then. We would the heat stoves ourselves in winter. was also adesk in his room, as well as alarge wingback chair next to the tiled stove. brotherMy slept on a divan in the small room. The room the faced street. There would always to go our mother’s and bed she would braid our hair. first,at which were always plaitedearly in the morning when we went to school. We hairdressers—but only because Iwas working in myfather’s shop. We long had braids shoes couldn’t pinch so that Icould run easily. After abob Igot Istarted going to the 167 168 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK another station, so he ran to the next station and back. of breath. “What happened?” Iapologized for being late. He thought I was waiting at thought, I’m too late. minutes Five went by and all of asudden he came running, out is interested, he’ll wait.” SoIwent down but there was no one there. Just great, I my mother said, “Come going on, get already or you’ll be too late!” And I said, “If he I was always the at hairdresser’s on Saturday. parents My knew that adate Ihad and dressedgot up, went to the hairdresser’s—since I startedhad working for my father on Schoenhauser the Allee at subway station the at corner of Schwedter-Strasse. I a Saturday evening, since there was no time during the week. Our meeting place was Afterwards he would sometimes accompany me, and then he asked me out. was That that’s how it all began! called him Michi. He was born on 30 November 1904 in Nitra [today Slovakia]. And and Ithoughthad that he was just a worker. His name was Maximillian Weisz; we the daughter of the proprietor from across the way. He thought Iwas an employee out that he was the nephew of the proprietor for whom he worked, and that Iwas accompany me, he was heading the same way. Isaid, “please!” That’s how we found there. He the had same route as me. He lived with his sister. He asked if me might slowly from behind me: “Isn’t that niiiiice?” Iturned around and he was standing the books. SoIstood there and looked, and then Isuddenly heard avoice speaking through Hackescher Markt to alarge bookshop on Rosenthaler-Strasse. Ibrowsed Once to Igot home go earlier. Iwas in the shop in Neue Friedrich-Strasse and went wasn’t yet 18. man over there.” That’s how it started. Itook it, of course, and thanked him. I to shop—and he brought me abox, akilo of sweets: “This is sent from the young who Iwas. One day aman came by—earlier the merchants would from go shop We would often smile other. each at Ididn’t know who he was and he didn’t know business across the way. Ayoung, good-looking man the sat at sewing machine. building with large windows. desk My was the at window. There was amenswear Hungarian. He was adashing young man. Iwas working for myfather in afactory I lived home at up until mywedding day. first My husband was also a tailor, a behind.books we all emigrated after Hitler came, myheart because ached we to had leave all the women in the Braw house, the mother is the cleverest and most beautiful.” When tleman—and there were four of us girls home. at And he always said, “Ofall the five and write. We aproper had library home. at We aworker, had he was an older- gen writer, 1791–1872], awhole series of books by Grillparzer. She taught herself to read ever bought in Berlin—later on she was working in Berlin—was Grillparzer [Austrian from the countryside; that was enough. mother My told me that the first thing she for agirl to be able to write her name, bake bread, roast, and churn butter. She was FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES not married. Afterwards I’ll be co-partner.” And that’s happened. what He was working with his brother-in-law and Isaid, only “That works as long as we’re working been had for his uncle up until then. He purchased and borrowed machines. from friends for the party. engagement Michi then started working for himself. He During the Icrocheted engagement and knit sofa pillows and handicrafts received mother preserved had sour cherries in alcohol for liqueur. pasta shaped like barley] and with all poultry sorts of things. And years earlier my that there was fish, then soup, and then farfel and tarhonya [Hungarian: egg-based an apprentice in the shop and he came to help with the cloakroom. Istill remember gifts. It was a really large party. The cloakroom was up set in the last room. We had the entire dinner herself. friends Ihad and the girls were all there. alot Ireceived of room apartment back then and three rooms were cleared out. mother My cooked sisters came from Budapest for the party. There were eighty people. We afour- had Then we areal had Jewish party. engagement was That 8March 1928. His mother and Michi was beaming and I was embarrassed, very but afterwards we went to the cinema. donehad that. Ireally didn’t like myfather what and uncles did with Michi, but please! said his intention was me. to marry Soit was settled. Iwas really annoyed that they couldn’t accept seeing me strung along like that, as I would reputation. a bad get He was beaming and they told me they asked had him his what intentions were, since they in. Iasked myself was what going on. After awhile they all came out laughing. Michi and myfather said, “Let’s into go the next room!” uncles My and father called Michi Two of mymother’s brothers also came with their wives. Sowe were sitting around stood around with their friends. parents My invited him for coffee on Rosh Hashanah. the holiday. He came to visit me in temple: the young people always gathered there and Maximilian also wasn’t working because his uncle was Jewish and they didn’t work on working. weren’t Jewish holiday] and myparents were in temple. Iwas also in temple. Ofcourse, we by. It was Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur [Day of Atonement and the most important workers. We only went out on the weekend. Then about seven, eight months went dress with Bordeaux. Our family myfiancée accepted like a son. We were both hard white satin inset, awhite-blue crêpe de Chine dress, and the third was adark-blue When three Iwas Ireceived pretty dresses. very engaged Ablack satin dress with a parents didn’t to go restaurants. Later there was music. thing treif [Hebrew: unkosher]. Ididn’t know where any kosher restaurants were; my kosher. He ordered dish ameat and Iordered coffee and cake. Iwasn’t eating any- took the subway to Wilhelm-Strasse. We went in and it was elegant. very Ikept But Berlin]. It was elegant avery establishment. He said he hadn’t dinner had yet. We There was a restaurant called “Schottenhamel” by the Tiergarten [a large park in 169 170 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK him his golden watch with the chain. We still relatives had in Poland and Iwas always Poland. He was allowed to take ten marks and asmall briefcase. Iremember we gave In 1938, just after the November Pogrom, myfather was arrested and deported to on Mulack-Strasse. Jewish shops and religious people on Grenadier-Strasse, on Dragoner-Strasse, and pletely. It wasn’t difficult to keep kosher. Youcould everything.get There were only husband,My who was not all at kosher home at in Budapest, adapted himself com- friends and mysisters-in-law only one had kid. I only wanted one child since it was modern very back then to only have one. All my On 6May 1933, mysecond daughter Lilly was born. That’s not really Iwanted. what husband stayed in our apartment. He came to us and Iwent to him. still so young, but myparents. Ihad For the first six weeks I stayedparents’.at my My wedding. married Igot on 10 February and she was born 10 December. We were both On 10 December 1929 our daughter Bessy was born. She came ten months after the even turned the heater on in the bedroom! Well, mymother was probably furious! father! He wanted to theheat room so that it would be warm when I woke up. He shut. husband My jumped out of bed, pulled on his pants, and ran out. It was my Then came the wedding night. Early [the next] morning Iheard the apartment door ment and workshop together. Schoenhauser-Strasse that previously had housed apolice station. It was an apart- Afterwards we went to our apartment… we found had an apartment on Alte dance. really his head, without notes. He then sat himself the at piano and played. Then we could The brother of afriend was awonderful pianist. He could play anything—just from posed to dance—there were enough young people there. the But music was awful. challah [Jewish holiday bread in the form of a braid]. After eating, people were sup- The food was good. mother My made the fish—real Polishcarp, cold with a jelly and large Hermann department Tietz store. The restaurant was on Kupfergraben, right on Alexander-Strasse. Next to it was the others for the meal in the restaurant afterwards. Berlin, some even say in all of Europe. People were invited just for the ceremony and temple on Oranienburger Strasse was one of the most beautiful temples in all of ding was on Sunday. Before the ceremony we went first to the photographer. The Then we married. got Iinsisted on the temple on Oranienburger Strasse. The wed- FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Wedding picture ofRosaRosenstein(néeBraw) andher first husband,Maximilian Weisz. Berlin,Germany, 1929. 171 172 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK received less,received of course. And besides that there were only specific times during of war, you to had darken the apartment and there were ration cards. The Jews husbandMy said, “Nothing can happen to us in Hungary.” In 1939, after three weeks 1947. son My was born in 1945. first time. I But never saw my fatheragain. He did learn a I that son.had He died in is yours!” And he held on to that one hundred dollars until Iwent to Israel for the found abetter option.” He put everything back. father My said, “Resi, one hundred sister said cheekily, “You know what, if I wantedhad to dollars smuggle I would have lars then?” father My couldn’t relax; he kept leaving and strolling around. And my folding boards inside. All of asudden he said, “So, where have you hidden your dol- pieceout and every laid them out, even the folding boards. There were even more es. sister My stood on one side and Istood on the other. The customs officer took money. youngest My sister Cilly and Iwent to Alexanderplatz to check the suitcas - as nice as the real ones; it was abit smaller. Only myparents and Iknew about the with little roses—of replicating a board and tucking the 300 dollars inside. It was not her hands on apiece of cardboard and also some had colorful fabric embroidered these pink ribbons so that they were nicely laid. mother My the had idea—she got onto these folding boards. You could buy them ready-made and them attach with whereBut do you hide 300 dollars? Ihad, for example, mysilk clothing that slipped Jewish moving company—managed to pack them in again. They saw the silver things and took them out. the But Jewish packers—it was agood sent off. to But our misfortune the boxes were opened again the at customs office. that the boxes, if the customs officers werepacking in the apartment, would just be even mysilver candlesticks, which you were not allowed to take. And we thought of beer. The customs officersgot drunk and the Jewish movingcompany packed, boxes were already gone. Even the silver was cutlery in the boxes. Iordered acrate fatherMy saved had 300 dollars—in 100-dollar notes. He to had pack his things. The child here and going!” And he said, “Iwon’t rest until Ibring you over.” myself!” He couldn’t separate himself. “I’m sinning against myself, Iam leaving my heart, since I was staying behind with my family. father My said, “I’m sinning against upgive permits and entry got from the English. father My with left such a heavy youngest daughter was about to start school; she was six years old. sisters My didn’t When my father backgot from Poland, everything was packed. At that point my together.” Your father the got approval to come back and pick me up. We’re going to Palestine passport office my mothercame up to me and said, “You don’t have go to to Poland. Poland. Iwanted to to go myfather and bring him money. Just as Iwas leaving the the go-between.Iwas married to aHungarian and wasn’t afraid yet. avisa Igot for FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES a detective anda detective night at by a police officer. There were maybe 40 or 50 of us there. We girls were on top. Men and women were separated. During the day we were guarded by sleep better. There were bunk in beds the barracks. Iwas on the bottom and the two clothes to get tective and the to get down blankets for the children so that they could We lived in barracks built onto the temple. Iwas able to to go myapartment with ade- gether!” a had crying fit.comforted I him and said, “Michi, the main thing is that we’re to- camp. That’s where myhusband saw us. When he saw us, the children and me, he mine. They didn’t ask. They took mychildren and me on the tram to the internment I didn’t of let go mypassport. They took away myhusband’s passport. Ididn’t show pened—that we arrested. been had aJewishhad neighbor and asked her to tell myin-laws in the bakery hap had what - children and me. Lilly was home at and myneighbor picked Bessy up from school. I the foreign division, and if I could please come with them. They wanted to take the men came in. They asked me who Iwas and introduced themselves; they were from and Bessy was school—I at was ironing in the kitchen. There was a knock and two Lilly was lying in bed, she do had desire to to go the Purim celebrations school, at stayed behind in Berlin when he took his passport. On the second day—my daughter I didn’t have myhusband’s Heimatschein forgedbeen and arrested him. years. He identified had himself with thepassport and they said could that it have issued been had in Berlin. It was aHungarian passport and was valid for two more were in detectives the café and Michi only his had passport on him.” The passport dark and myfather-in-law came to me and said, “Resi, Michi’s Ineed papers. There watching other people playing cards. Iwas home at with mychildren. It was already One evening my husband was sitting with my father-in-law in the coffee house, Palestine. “Wait in Hungary,” myparents wrote. also sent aportion of mythings along with mymother to Israel in case we went to cutlery. For mywedding down given been Ihad bedding that was made in Poland. I marks. sentI had But other things: linens, curtains, the silver candlesticks, silver emergency sales. For my bedroom set, which cost had 4,000 marks, 400I got boxes with my things from Berlin. We already had sold the furniture. Those were We found a small apartment—two rooms and a kitchen—in Ujpest. I already thehad Palestine. for ments that wouldn’t happen there. To be safe, Ibrought along mychildren’s travel docu- packed our suitcases and went to Budapest, because myhusband maintained that the day for shopping. We couldn’t do our shopping throughout the whole day. We [German: certificate of family origin]; it 173 174 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK oned there and no one knew waswhat going to happen. We were squeezed into a I was to led ahouse where there were about 400 people, all Jews. We were impris- tram and was arrested. Eichmann came to Budapest, on 21 or 22 March—I still know the date. Iexited the disconnected from them. Itook the tram out to visit them. was That the same day advantages. Iwanted how to see myhusband’s family was doing. Ididn’t want to get green widow’s certificate and had to report myself.My husband was dead, so I had Then it was 1944. Eichmann came to Budapest to create “order.” Iwas free with my widow of alabor serviceman. awidow’s Ihad certificate. worked for alawyer to report but needed to the police eight every days. Iwas the I was granted leave from the internment camp and still the had small apartment. I mines. for search and of spotted fever. He was sent to Russia, to Kiev, for labor service. to He dig needed On my husband’s death certificate it “cardiacread arrest.” Later I was told he died nice apartment and took in the children. from Syria to Palestine. parents My them collected in Palestine. They already a had then took the train to Bulgaria and then a ship over to Turkey where they went by bus station. Lilly stood the at window of the train, tears running down her face. They We took the train to Budapest. picked Adetective us up and accompanied us to the to the children. That’s the last time the children ever saw their father. The last time! only allowed to bring the children from the bus to the station. There he said goodbye to accompany the children to Budapest. husband, My who was in the men’s camp, was hit her to make her say yes. she But saved her life by doing that. Iwas permission given Bessy was eleven. Then they both agreed, but the little one said to me that her sister statelessen passports. Our Lilly didn’t want to. She was eight years old when she left. children on got the list permits and entry for received Palestine. The children were- giv The Jewish Community in Budapest organized it. sister-in-law My made sure that my right, since the children would be safe in Palestine. please send the children. We will raise them as if they were our own!” They were my family in Palestine. brother-in-law My wrote from Palestine, “Send the children, through mycousin in Argentina who forwarded them—that’s how we to connected I still the had travel papers for mychildren. And Ialways wrote Red Cross letters— from the Jewish Community came and looked after us. The guards were Hungarian. were closed camps on the border. Czech Those were former customs houses. People were there for three, four weeks, then we were sent to the countryside where there FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES leased us. We aViennese had friend, a widow, who married been had to aHungarian I was afraid to [back] to go my room, since you to had your give address when they re- women. They didn’t have any trains. was That our fortune. put us. We knew the men were deported. they But didn’t know to what do with 400 days. We arrived on Tuesday and were released on Friday. They didn’t know where to that the next bomb would fall on us. We feared the worse. We were inside for four blazing bullets the Russians shot before they started bombing. The women prayed and English during the day, by the Russians night. at We sat and saw bullets, the and we were locked in. night That Budapest was being bombed: by the Americans It was the Budapest detention center, near the Keleti train station. It was nighttime women were called into abuilding. drink alittle bit of water from your hands. We stood and stood. All of asudden the side; we were about 400 women. There was awater pump in the center; you could courtyard. Ilooked around and saw a lot of imprisoned men standing on the other where we were headed. Suddenly we were unloaded and found ourselves in alarge freight car and rode and rode and rode. There were no windows, so we didn’t know Rosa Rosenstein(néeBraw) withherdaughtersBessy Aharoni (néeWeisz) andLillyDrill (née Weisz). Berlin,Germnay, 1935. 175 176 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK gold. You can have the names of the murdered written on the leaves. is aHungarian Jew. He atree had up set there, amagnificent willow that shines like were able to take out their and dead them bury privately. Tony Curtis, the filmactor, fence and watched how the Russians buried the from dead the ghetto. Survivors After liberation Iwalked through the streets of Budapest. I stood the at temple was his name—his watch was missing. he But said, “Doesn’t matter!” ranguy down to the garden and the hugged Russian. When he came back—Steiner with afur and hat amachine gun. Iturned around and said, “There’s aRussian!” One hind the window, it was deathly quiet and Isaw aRussian coming through the garden Russian. And so we waited. And one beautiful day—it was Sunday—I was standing be - them to come over it. “Hold on, we will liberate you!” In German, in Hungarian, in wait, we are going to liberate you!” There is ahill around Budapest. It took days for heard avoice through amegaphone: “This is the Russian Army. People of Budapest We lay with in coats aroom—there were no longer any windows—and suddenly I half. a it took awhile until we married—that got was in 1947 and our son was ayear and are getting married!” Our son Georg was born in Budapest on 27 June 1945. Well, ments, nothing. And myhusband immediately said, “That’s out of the question. We said, “Iwon’t do anything. you Do want to die of sepsis?” He didn’t have any instru- the child.” He didn’t allow it. Iwent But anyway. The doctor, who was in the ghetto, do something. husband My said, “You will do nothing. If we survive we are having I realized that Iwas pregnant. Isaid that the child will either perish with me, or Iwill birth certificate from a friend, aChristian, and then fled. Abeautiful girl, Jola. a friend of his came along, and then aniece of mine from Hungary came. She a got crazy for him. husband My then moved in with me for the time being. Not just him, I knew myfuture husband from the camp. He was so charming; the women were siblings: Moritz, Franziska, Samuel, Josef, Cilly and Hedi. merchant and died in 1926. Beile passed away in London in 1945. husband My six had Suesie, adescendant of Shelah ha-Kadosh [afamous rabbi], was atailor or textile Suesie Rosenstein—born in Rohatyn, Galicia—and Beile Rosenstein, Bienstock. née husbandMy Alfred Rosenstein was born in Vienna April on 17 1898 as the child fifth of me, me, hugged and said, “Resi, no one will ever separate us again!” looked me. at We didn’t have arelationship yet, nothing all, at and he rushed up to band, Alfred Rosenstein, with afriend. Iknew him from the internment camp. He you’re alive?” And can what Isay; Iopened the door and there sat myfuture hus- walked to her place. When she opened the door for me she was so surprised, “Resi, in Budapest. He was Christian. They a15-year-old had daughter back then, Susi. I FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES to 65,000, give then they’ll even give more.” Atthe third trial there was athird judge offered on the second date. The lawyer then said to myhusband, “If they’re ready Jewish Community. He a schoolmate been had of myhusband’s. 65,000 shillings were as areparation payment. Our lawyer was Doctor Pik, who was later president of the son took it over. Atthe first trial my husband was given the offer of 35,000 shillings just two judges there. The Aryans that takenhad over the restaurant were dead. Their back. husband My sought trial—there were return courts back then. There were always Aryanized. Then myhusband wanted to apply for restitution and the get property His sisters a had restaurant before the war—it was called “Grill am Peter”—but it was always the same thing: not yet, not yet. own apartment and there is enough to Sohe eat. would back and go forth and it was just pork. Iwas comfortable very in Hungary. Isaid that I’d only leave when Ihave my ment. husband My always said that there was still nothing to no eat, meat—or else I stayed in Hungary. Isaid Iwouldn’t back to go Vienna until we our had own apart- Rosa Rosenstein(néeBraw) withhersecondhusband, Alfred Rosenstein,andtheirson, Zwi-Bar. Budapest,Hungary, 1946. 177 178 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Israel, 1949. (née Braw) andJaelRappoport(néeBraw). Tel Aviv, and herbrother, Arthur Braw's daughters,RuthDickstein Rosa Rosenstein(néeBraw) withherson,ZwiBar-David, sea insea Tel Aviv]. sisterMy awonderful had apartment directly on the on sea Hayarkon [street on the still alive back then. She apretty had two-and-a-half room apartment in Tel Aviv. enough for us both. We were on the ship for five days. It was nice.My mother was 16,000 shillings. He said, “Go. your See children.” The money wouldn’t have been back then. The first money my that husband wasreceived a restitutionpayment of me. In 1949 Iwent with myson to Israel for the first time. You still go had to by ship I stayed here in Vienna because Ididn’t want mychildren or relatives to put up with could to go Israel. man. He wanted to to go Austria to apply for reparations and the get money so we done his at He wasage? already ten years older than me and no longer such a young be self-employed. What could he have to haveneeded money there—money to tative. wasn’t That ajob for Israel. You large oil company. He was the represen- workedhad for his brother, who a had sion for Israel. He was abusinessman and said that he didn’t have the right profes- and parents in Israel. my husband But Austria. Iwanted to be with mychildren Originally Ididn’t want to back to go apartment with this certificate. mayor and myhusband was assigned an back then. Our district a Communist had powers victorious the amongst vided a camp. The districts in Vienna were di- that he was racially persecuted and in husbandMy acertificate had saying it. for nothing es weren’t all agreed. husband My got man thegot restaurant because the judg- was the attitude back then. The young anything to do with the Aryanization. That he, who currently owned it, didn’t have couldn’t take the young man’s living, since we could have afuture. The judge said you wanted the to get restaurant back so that husbandMy didn’t want the money; he present. Two said they to had it give back. FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES didn’t back to go where we used to live. Icouldn’t do it. trouble.” He talked us out of it. Later, I was with mygranddaughter in East Berlin. I Marks. He said, “No, for God’s sake, who knows will what happen, you might meet to to go the East, to visit our home. You to had change 25 marks into East German hood acquaintance, a neighbor kid, Sali, who was already in the West. We wanted I was with my sister in Berlin, but it was still East and West back then. We a had child- and Iknow that both loved me. It wasn’t mediated. They just met me as Ireally am. and the children were still young. Iwasn’t interested. Ionly two had men in my life band for dead been had two years then. It was Christmas, myfamily was living here I didn’t want to remarry. Iwas offered—by afriend of myhusband’s, even. hus My - tune with the illness: he cancer. got He died in 1961. He was 63years old. have also happily come along. that But wasn’t possible. Since there was that misfor- I would have preferred to back to go Berlin after the war. Ithink myhusband would Christian workers in my father’s workshop. Many even knew when our holidays were. I didn’t experience any anti-Semitism in Germany. Iwould laugh and joke with our you cant. We’re constantly being reprimanded. surely us given enough of an opportunity to think about it. Even if you want to forget, haven’t changed much over the years. Haider or Stadler [Ewald, FPÖ politician] have She said, “No, for god’s sake, Idon’t mean anything.” was That the early ‘50s. Things like one!” To which Ireplied, “Why, Mrs. Schubert? Don’t Ihave horns on myhead?” was in Israel!” I said. She looked me at and said, “You’re a Jew? you But don’t look bread, the baker’s wife asked me, “Where were you for so long, Mrs. Rosenstein?” “I in Israel for two months. As soon Iwas back in Vienna and went to mybakery to buy I disliked the Austrians. Ialways saw them as Nazis. Once, in the early 1950s, Iwas Vienna. wife, mythen three-year-old grandson Ofir, and Noemi, his younger daughter, to two daughters and ason. Because of his son’s muscle disorder, he moved with his from the Scheunenviertel [German: Jewish neighborhood in Berlin], and they had Bar-David. He married Illana, whose mother’s side of the family was from Berlin, [1961]. He lived on akibbutz sonMy went to Israel after his exams. was That shortly after myhusband’s death Hebrew. Inever saw myfather again. was That horrible. to school in Israel but could, of course, speak German. mother My never learned to Vienna ayear after me. Atthat time she was was 18exactly—that 1951. She went administration for ten years and looked after old people. Lilly, married Drill, came baby. She married got 18, at in the Israeli military. She later worked for the city daughterMy Bessy was already married to Mr. Aharoni and afive-month-old had and studied psychology. There he took on the name Zwi 179 180 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK HERBERT LEWIN preparation.]When Shabbos [Hebrew: the Sabbath] came, she went up and blessed milk together in the same meal and often have separate dishes and utensils for meal was on the ground floor, just next to our store. [Religious Jews do eat notandmeat apartment above the tavern: two rooms and her kitchen. meat Her dairy kitchen to cover their and head], on Friday evening, she silently disappeared. She her had grandmotherMy wore awig, asheitel [Hebrew: worn by religious Jewish women there peace, at drinking their beer and their corn schnapps. were the masons and carpenters—they were Communists. And the two parties stood on the one side, there were the German Nationals, and on the other side, there political arguments in myfather’s tavern. As children, we used to watch the guests: table. They stood the at bar gossiping. The interesting thing is that there were no tomers who sat there forever; it was not customary for his guests to sit down a at beer and corn schnapps, and then they went back home. dad My didn’t want cus- Lewin’s hand, talked to her for awhile, and then they went into the bar, drank some your wife?”—that was the first thing she asked the customers. Everyone shook Mrs. men—who came in knew her. And she knew their families: “How’s your kid, how’s were children, we thought this was great. All the guests—mostly farmers or crafts- the summer, as well as during the winter, she sat next to the tiled stove. When we was religious, avery but also tolerant very woman. Our tavern was small, and during grandmother’sMy name was Helena Lewin. Iremember that she was really old. She came over for abeer and some corn schnapps. used to come over for abeer. Same in the evening: after they finished had work, they alcohol. Early in the morning, the civil servants from the post officeacross the street 7 am, and the tavern stayed open all day, without abreak. He only sold tobacco and of the day he spent in the tavern. On weekdays, Sundays, and holidays he opened at worked half the day in the orderly room of the regional headquarters, and the rest join the military, but then there would have no been one behind the counter, so he the tavern; it’s ahard craft.” In 1914, during the First World War, he was supposed to when he said: “Kids, you can do whatever you want, but no one of you will inherit father did it for the sake of mygrandmother; he was being really honest with us, the store; it said “Louis Lewin,” and in small letters below: “Owner: Ivan Lewin.” My born. father My carried on mygrandfather’s tavern. The signboard still hung above paternalMy grandfather’s name was Louis Lewin. He already had died when Iwas Herbert Lewin, borninOsterode in1917, was interviewed by Tanja Eckstein in ViennainNovember 2002. Vienna, Austria FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES and Day of Atonement] we went up to her place and wished her all the best. then But her apron pockets, which she us. gave On the High Holy days [the Jewish New Year popular and we all really liked her. Iremember that she always Kaiser’s had fudge in ham and roast pork—she never said aword about it, and that’s why she was really because our apartment was treif. So she really was tolerant: she knew that we ate to our apartment, because she knew that she couldn’t even drink aglass of water, us her at place, so we were up her at apartment often.she But very didn’t down go requires separating milk and and meat not eating certain foods]. She loved to see the lights [candles]. She knew that our house was treif [Hebrew: not kosher, which Herbert Lewin’s father Ivan inOsterode (todayPoland)inthe1930s. 181 182 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Gedenkbuch Berlins der jüdischen Opfer des Nationalsozialismus]. a salesman for textile goods. Both of them were killed in Auschwitz [source: Scheidemann. They two had daughters: Ilse and Ella. Ilse married Benno Pottlitzer, father’sMy sister’s name was Cilla Lewin. She lived in Berlin and married Adolf inhim our that apartment. in ahotel, because he was used to taking morning. every abath We couldn’t offer children in Osterode. His son was attending a diplomatic academy. uncle My lived live agood life. He two had daughters and ason, and once he visited us with his rest we sold to the coffee shop next to us. Because of myuncle we were able to America line], brought to Hamburg duty-free. We only took we what needed, the full of coffee, which afriend of ours, acaptain on the Hapag Loyd [the Hamburg- my grandmother, myfather, and mysister in Berlin. Twice ayear, we asack received store. Since then, he sent money home regularly. Each month, he sent money for of agoldsmith.” It didn’t take long, and myuncle became partner the at jewelry work in myjewelry store; I’ll take you as an apprentice and you can learn the trade Kamnitz family aleather had goods store in Osterode. “If you want, you can come Osterode? Iam Kamnitzer’s brother. Iknow you, Isaw you in the synagogue.” The ship there was agentleman who asked him: “Aren’t you the young Lewin boy from mother that he wouldn’t take over the tavern and went to South America. On the ter. His brother, Arthur Lewin, emigrated when he was ayoung boy. He told his father,My Ivan Lewin, was born in 1880 in Osterode. He abrother had and asis- Jewish prayer for the for dead] her. 1929, and half of the town accompanied her coffin.My dad kaddishrecited [Hebrew: to be completely bled out before we could bring it to mygrandmother. She died in feathers from its throat, it, cut and it started to out. bleed It was gruesome! It had couldn’t watch. After the animal died, had he put it between his legs, plucked some terrible for us. When he started to sharpen the knife, we to had out because go we we to had bring it to the rabbi, so that he could butcher it in akosher way. It was something, to eat ed she put the turkey or goose into abasket, put alid on it, and and we always aturkey had or agoose running around. When mygrandmother want - er who owned akosher chopping block. Behind our store, there was asmall yard, because there were not too many Jews in this area. there But was aChristian butch- was the pearl of the Masurian lakes. There were no kosher food stores in Osterode, We lived in Osterode, East Prussia. The closest capital was city Allenstein. Osterode and she also took care of mymum. tavern, noon, at and when my dad tohad leave for a while. She worked in the tavern with my grandmother and she cared for her when she was old. Ilse also helped in our the synagogue, too. cousin My Ilse, the daughter of my aunt Cilli from Berlin, grew up we went back down again. We her left alone, because she was praying. She went to FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Herbert Lewin’s motherBerthashortlybefore shefledtoEngland,inOsterode in1939. 183 184 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK became kind of ared rag to him, because she didn’t pay for anything. All her pension Rahel opted for Germany. father My brought her into our apartment. later, But she and everyone who voted for Germany asmall received pension from Germany. Aunt Rahel, mymother’s sister, lived with us. In 1920, there was anational referendum sleepwalk; she some had kind of mental illness. It was terrible for the children. She lived with uncle Max and aroom had with barred windows, because she used to usually buy things in installments back then. We only saw mygrandmother once. and achauffeur, who drove by some farmers to the collect installments. You would went to visit him once. He lived in Landsberg and he atextile had store. He acar had Pomerania. Uncle Max, my mother’s brother, was married and twohad daughters. We mother,My Bertha Lewin Guth), (née was born in 1890 in Prussian Stargard, Herbert Lewin’s mother BerthawithHerbertandhis younger brother Werner inOsterode in1921. FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Testament until 8 the Christian Old Testament and the Jewish Old Testament? We are teaching the Old teacher said: “Mr. Lewin, I do respect the rabbi, but what’s the difference between Christian religious classes.” father, My then, went to talk to the class teacher and the the rabbi came over to visit myfather, and he said: “You know, your child attends a shoe store. His name was Jacoby. One time, when Iwent to elementary school, dren, and two of them were Jewish. The parents of the other Jewish boys owned In our town, there was no Jewish school. We were all together in one class, 24 chil- right page.” So, mymum really no had clue. Nonetheless, she was aconscious Jew. said: “Well, if you take the Passover booklet Rosh at Hashanah, you won’t find the where we are?” Then Selma took mymum’s booklet, skimming the pages, and she good friend of hers sat next to her. Once she told her friend: “Selma, can you tell me Hashanah Rosh a Jewish education. mum My didn’t know anything. she But went to the temple at could pray and read from the Torah [five books of Moses, on a scroll] because he had a top hat, it was aholiday. he But didn’t keep the high holy days, even though he row.” dad My closed the tavern on Jewish holidays; you would know it: if he wore “Mr. Lewin, today adouble, Iget because Iknow that the tavern is closed tomor- that the next day was aJewish holiday, he would to go the Jew Lewin and would say: In Osterode, it didn’t matter that we were Jewish. If one of the townspeople knew Werner was born in October 1920. 1917; Iwasn’t the first child,baby a girl was born before me, but she died.My brother moved in with myfather in Osterode, and they married got in 1915. Iwas born in a sawmill in Danzig, and mymother was working in aporcelain store. mum My then parentsMy aJewish met at feast in Danzig [today: Poland]. father My was working at out and to gave us children. the oven—there was atiny flap, and inside were two shriveled apples, which she took visited her; we used to sit with her for half an hour, and when we she left, went to went to Allenstein and moved into a Jewish retirement home. Now and then, we years, and my dad just took it. Until the day he said that she should leave. Then she salmon and the best cheese. And this is she what blamed him for. It went on for He liked delicatessen, and he went out shopping for dinner himself. He picked up my dad for tossing money out of the window, because he was a bit of a gourmet. went straight to the savings account. She the sat at table, ate with us, and blamed to Osterode the at high holidays. In a small house next to the temple, we ourhad The synagogue in Osterode was pretty big. Jews from the surrounding towns came and listen?” father My that. accepted getting bored sitting in the schoolyard for an hour, so why shouldn’t they just sit in [the Jewish new year]. She sat together with the other women, and a th grade, just like the rabbi. And your children tell me that they are 185 186 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK under their There coat. were no Jewish musicians. Somydad said to them: “Dear first train the next morning. On the train, I saw that the musicians wore swastikas And four people played instruments. We went back home with the musicians on the them how to mix cocktails in asmall room in the house, which he adapted as abar. a real chuppah least at once in mylife. dad My brought his employees and taught great wedding. They even a had fishing license for all the Masurian lakes. The rabbi married themat home. It was a Hirschfeld. the But rabbi found religious a very young boy for her. His father a had ly, and it became alifelong friendship. Iwanted their to marry daughter, Liselotte more reliable again. mother My didn’t take any money from the Hirschfeld fami- tions, myparents let the two boys sleep in our apartment until the trains became War, the trains were unreliable. very Because they to had take the train for two sta - textile company. Their two boys went to school in Osterode. After the First World The Hirschfeld family lived close to us, in atown called Liebemühl. They owned abig us. holiday with the friends and family came from the neighboring towns with their children and spent room, and aliving room which was used as adining room on high holidays, when our We a had huge five-bedroom apartment. There wasGentleman’s a Room, a dining Jewish, Catholic, or Protestant. friend My Hans was always there, of course. lowed to on have our aparty birthdays. It never mattered whether the children were And this is something you have to respect.” This is how we were raised. We were al - up there, because there is only one God. He has many names, but there is only one! Allah, the next Jehovah, the other Jesus. And in the end everything comes together you something. Everyone is praying to God, God has many names. One calls him when he was in company. mum My took us aside once and said: “Kids, I’d like to tell We many had friends; our house was an open house. father My only felt comfortable a shame if aJewish kid less had than aB?” grades?” And Mr. Mannheim said: “Mr. Lewin, may Itell you something: wouldn’t it be “Mr. Mannheim, how do you do that? All the Jewish kids getting away with such good Jewish kid with less than an Aor aB. father My confronted the rabbi one at point: bi: “Mr. Mannheim, we that can your see lessons are good.” very And there was no your pencil.” After they asked had two students, the chairman would say to the rab - will read this part, and you will take this one. Write down you what don’t know with time,every and he would us give abooklet and say: “You will read this part, and you how our rabbi was leading the religious classes. the But rabbi was warned in advance man of the Jewish Community came over with two teachers in order to check on rabbi you wouldn’t find in any of today’s Jewishcommunities. Once a year, the chair- rabbi came to our school and told us abiblical story. Our rabbi, Dr. Mannheim, was a Hebrew lessons. There were seven or eight children—that was all. Once aweek the chuppah [Hebrew: wedding canopy], so I togot see FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Hirschfeld’s store, but Adi’s wife eventually forbade it. She said: “That’s all fine, I but Adolf Hirschfeld unhappy avery had marriage. mother My often helped out in the swastika doesn’t us.” feed This happened in 1935, Iwas 18years old back then. Hirschfeld packed for us: cartons full of food. We something need to live, too; the “Mr. Lewin, if there were no Jewish weddings, we would starve. Look Mrs. what at Lord, will what happen to you if they find out that you playedat a Jewish wedding?” with hisyounger brother Werner, inOsterode in Herbert Lewin,left, 1926. 187 188 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Hans continued the at elementary school. Ishould separate from Hans, just because class student, so Iwas free to attend high school, but Ididn’t want to, because After elementary school, myparents wanted me to attend high school. Iwas afirst- himself until his death. He with to had serve the Marines, and died during the war. years and he even visited us home at with the swastika uniform. He remained true to bakery that baked all pan loaves for the military. We were friends during all these on credit. And only the Jews will her give credit." Hans worked in Osterode the at Hans explained mother calmly: "My doesn't have any money, and to had purchase and shirt and pants from the Jew Jablonsky. The group leader was angry, very but he came in uniform. He burst out loud that the boots were from the Jew Jacoby uniform." Hans said: "Ican't, mymother doesn't have any money." Aweek later berserk: "Hans Schaller, next week you have to attend roll call wearing acomplete didn't have auniform and went to the roll call in plain clothes. The group leader went man examination for his apprenticeship as abaker. He joined the Hitler youth but Hans to had join the Hitler youth; otherwise he wouldn't have passed the journey - use. to we made ajump. When the jump frozen had and was covered with snow, it was ready piles of sand from the brickyards. We built sand castles there. And when it snowed, coffee substitute. was That our lunch, and we plenty had of fun. Outside there were ourselvescut aslice of bread, it with coated lard, and washed it down with cold stove back then), there was apot of lard and atin can full of coffee substitute. We Hans without doing my homework. On the cold stove (they still a had coal-burning gna sandwiches. When Icame home after school, rid Igot of mysatchel and ran to shared our sandwiches. His sandwiches were made with lard, while mine were bolo- theat outskirts of Osterode. Back then there was no electric light. Hans and I always as acleaning the lady at post office; the eldest daughter was a maid. The family lived alcoholic, and his biological father died in the First World War. Mrs. Schaller worked I dearly loved. The Schaller Family lived in adverse conditions; his stepfather was an a"milkI had brother" [Herbert Lewin was nursed by his nanny], Hans Schaller, whom someone else takes it away from us!” And Adi said: “Aunt Bertha, take whatever you need. It’s better you take it, before know elsewhat to do and went toAdi see in Liebemühl, and she showed him the list. boots, summer clothes, and so on. we But didn’t have any money. Somymum didn’t Palestine] in Yugoslavia, and we alist got of things we to had bring: warm clothes, ra therego anymore for quite some time. Acouple years later, Iwent to ahakhsha for the last three days, until she closed her eyes. after But she died, had she didn’t want to there go anymore. Then Mrs. Hirschfeld died; mymum her sat at deathbed just don’t like people rummaging about in our cash desk.” After that, mymum didn’t [Hebrew: preparation—here it means organized preparation for emigration to - FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Herbert Lewinonthe right,withhisyounger brother Werner andhisfriend HansSchallerinOsterode in1930. 189 190 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK For many German Jews, this idea was their downfall. didn’t think that anything could happen—they were German citizens of Jewish faith. Until 1933, not Ihad experienced any form of antisemitism. The Jewish community war and became ateacher. He died there in 1997. end of the war and worked as atranslator. brother My went back to England after the parachute behind the German lines in Dünkirchen [France]. He stayed there until the he volunteered to be aparatrooper. He was among the first of the invading army to Isle of Man. he But could continue his studies; it was acorrespondence course. Then university. at gogy then But the British entered the war, and he was interned on the Werner in 1937. He graduated from high school there, and he began studying peda- to school. He abusiness had associate in London who managed apermit to get for it; he said that he would to it see that Werner could to go England and continue to go any longer. uncle My wrote back immediately, and he said that he would take care of fatherMy told myuncle in Brazil that Werner and Icouldn’t aproper get education he was there, he liked the idea of going to Palestine. really thinking about going away; it was just something that would occupy him. as But aJewishto see landowner, who prepared Jewish children for Palestine. He wasn’t our high school.” brother, My then, sat around home, at too. After awhile, he went a great student go, but we orders received that we can’t have Jewish students at director of his school called myfather and said: “Mr. Lewin, I’m to let sorry such very and they were inside his head. He made it to third grade in high school. Then the brotherMy was an Astudent. He would sit down, read the irregular Latin verbs twice, modate Jewish students our at school.” started, myparents aletter, got which said: “We are sorry, very but we can’t- accom teacher’s desk. He tore it apart and threw it in the garbage. Before the second year written on it. A shipping agent’s daughter brought the piece of paper to my class piece of paper on mydesk. “FREE ONE-WAY TRIP TO JERUSALEM!”—that’s was what know they what would do then.” When Icame back to the classroom, there was a you just remain still; otherwise they would think you’re being provocative. Idon’t come, too. When all the people stand up and raise their hand for the Hitler salute, chancellor. class My teacher called me and said: “Herbert, I’m sorry, but you have to assembly hall and listen to [President] Hindenburg talk, when he appointed Hitler 1933 was myfirst yearcommercialat school. One day, we go had to down to the working with the typewriter, typing business letters. Iwas that. good at I became an Astudent again. Iliked doing all that stuff: stenography, bookkeeping, point, it was over. Somyfather sent me off to commercial school, and immediately first grade there. But then we were required to study French and Latin—and by that of high school? Imade it through the entrance exam, and Imade it through the FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES A birthdaypartyatHerbertLewin’s home.Herbertissittingthird from theright.HisfriendHansSchallerisalsopictured from Elbing was interested. he But said that, in order to decide upon the rent, ofhead the local headquarters party and said that he’d like to let his bar. A waiter where they them got from. No one in the SA was from here. father My went to the and out of aJew’s door. These two SA men did not come from our town. No idea because there were two SA men standing the at entrance, controlling who went in In 1934, mydad to had let the house. Nobody came in [to the tavern] anymore, have impossible. been same school class as my father. There were no Jews harassed in Osterode; it would for the police. These men didn’t know antisemitism; some of them in been had the to be policemen and officials. After twelve years, they went to workat post offices or to sign up for twelve years of service. During these twelve years, people were trained Forces[Armed of the Weimar Republic]; it was aprofessional army, where you had because the SA didn’t trust the police. The policemen came from the [German: “Die Sturmabteilung,” abbreviated SA, Nazi paramilitary organization], In 1933, after Hitler risen had to power, the police were accompanied by the SA with hismother. Thispicture was takenin Osterode in1932. Reichswehr

191 192 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Herbert Lewin’s brother Werner LewininEngland1936. to Königsberg. We went there one Sunday. They lectures, gave sang, and danced— would happen out there. He told me once that there was aZionist organization close to the farmers, together with ayoung man Iknew from work. We knew that nothing of myparents’. Every Sunday Itook the bike and rode out to the small villages and boarding wages, to Ihad send mydirty laundry home, and with to Ihad eat afriend to be Aryanized.ery Ilearned by watching and practicing. parents My to had pay the The baker was a Jew, but in the bakery there was also a Nazi, who waited for the bak- was abaker, and so Iwanted to be abaker, too, because we were of one mind. meto an get apprenticeship as abaker. Iwas happy, very because myfriend Hans child, my father took me straight back home. A few months later, our rabbi managed that Iwould have to sleep in the same room as the family’s mentally handicapped anymore. father My accompanied me the to see owner of the store, but when he saw awayto get from home, because Isaw that myparents didn’t have anything to eat Then our rabbi organized an apprenticeship in acolonial produce store. Iwanted democrats. me because, all around me, there were only proletarians, Communists, and social Sunday. Isat there and mycares left behind. Iknew that nothing would happen to window; Iwould listen to Radio Warsaw, because they abeautiful had concert every only one had window facing the yard. There was aradio standing set next to the under the in mat front of the house. Iwent in and sat down the at window; they sometimes Ididn’t even know if he was home. at Iknew But that there was akey I was unemployed for ayear. Every Sunday Irode mybike Hans, to see even though sent us money from Brazil month. every there was still myfather’s brother, who to the outskirts of town. Fortunately, apartment anymore, so we to had move parentsMy couldn’t pay the rent for their didn’t have this. to see diedhad before the Nazis came, so she day long. Thank god, mygrandmother the waiter and his wife were serving all wasen remodeled as aseating area, and sat in the bar day and night. The kitch- taken over the business, all the SA men was ahuge scam! After the waiter had a day. there But were no customers! It rather observe the customer flow for he did not want the to see books, but FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES most unburdened years of my life. most important thing was to always have bread ready. These were the two best and empty it, and then put the bread in. It was an easy chore, five to six hours a day. The oven was outside and it tohad be by heated wood. I tohad wood, cut theheat oven, horses to this day. The second year Ispent in the kitchen, then in the bakery. The or, with its grapes and fields.cared I for two horses for a year, which is why I still love would keep their jobs. There were 120 boys and girls. We the cultivated whole man- comers], under the condition that the Hungarian stewards and the Yugoslav menials estates. And he opened them to the German hechalutz theat Hungarian-Yugoslav border, aJewish baron named Gutmann owned several The others were already in Yugoslavia; Iwas the only one who was late. In Subotica, something different from we what have here.” theleft, police commissioner said: “Iwish your son all the best; may he to know get me and that it would be ready for pick-up in eight days. When we picked it up and I drove back home in 1937. father My told me that he requestedhad a passport for the group would be dissolved and that we would to go ahakhshara in Yugoslavia. agricultural community of individual farms] in Palestine. One day we notifiedgot that would live in amoshav of our group; he was born in Frankfurt (Oder) and he was afervent Zionist. Later, he I was part of agroup there and to Igot know Alfred Rosettenstein. He was the leader I found another farmer in Golenic, which was also in Upper Silesia. Ifelt really good, cigarette and remember that not all the Germans are as as you bad may think now.” year, and one of these cigarettes Iwant to you. give When you feel bitter, smoke this but Ican only you give as much as Iown. son My brings me abox of cigarettes every Jewish boy. The farmer me gave acigarette and said: “Iknow you what must feel like, tomers said that they wouldn’t come to his farm anymore, as long as he employed a me to come into the restaurant. He told me that Icouldn’t stay, because his cus- having fed and cared for the ox. Iwas happy! One day, the farmer called me and told I did mywork and for ox every we sold Iwas three given Marks from the customer for oxen, but the farmer said that they were more docile than alamb. chore was to ten feed fattened oxen and to keep the stable clean. Iwas afraid of the store, and then I was brought to a big farmer, who also a smallhad restaurant. My in order to be prepared for life in Palestine. We went to the village, met in aJewish After afew weeks, the time come. had We went to Upper Silesia to work for afarmer, said that we would be notified, once couldwe go to a hakhshara. members of an organization of immigrants to Israeli agricultural settlements.]. They we liked it. We enrolled got as chalutzim [Hebrew: “settlement, village,” atype of Israeli cooperative [Hebrew: “pioneer, fighter,” here it means [Hebrew: pioneers, new- 193 194 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK among us slaughtered it after three days. Atnight, we to had stand guard so that ter food. For food reserves, we a cow had on the ship, and abutcher who was girls’ cabins, where there was considerably more space and you would also bet- get for night guard during the entire trip—that way, Icould sleep during the day in the shaliach (Hebrew: group leader) already had arrived from Palestine. I volunteered youach, couldn't change your position. The air was terrible. In the evening, the bunk forry beds us, but there was hardly any space. When you lay on the stom- ingled the five hundred Czechs. In the ship's stowage place, there were three-sto- wentcoach into the port, straight to the ship. Otherwise, we could not have smug - When the 500 people from Czechoslovakia finally arrived, the train with the sealed where we hid in the engine room. with the knowledge of the captain and sailors—got on board the Greek ship Galilea, come! We bribed had the police superintendent in Suschak and then secretly—but provided help for us—they even brought us books and games. Finally, the time had Nobody was allowed to to go the windows or into the staircase. The community uped staying in the synagogue for more than aweek, sleeping on straw mattresses. until the Czechs would arrive. We end- them. We could stay in the synagogue the Germans were going to do with the Germans, and no one knew what were actually kept in train wagons by Czechs are stuck on the border; they community came and said that the Croatia), someone from the Jewish Czechoslovakia. In Suschak (today's five hundred Jewish chalutzim from alsohad organized the emigration for ship so he wouldn't be any at risk. We passports as soon as we boarded the der the condition that we destroy the our passports visas with entry un - to that consul in Prague. He stamped hachshara with us took our passports some Yugoslavian who on been had was aJewish consul from Ecuador, and visatry for Ecuador. In Prague, there eight days in Yugoslavia. We an had - en was that we to had into go hiding for illegally. What was adventurous about it finally a possibility get to to Palestine— After two years in Yugoslavia, there was for Hakhshara. Thispicture was takeninGolenic1938. convicted ZionistandtheleaderofHerbertLewin’s group Alfred Rottenstein,from Frankfurt (Oder).Hewas a FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES market square to welcome us, and person each took two or three of us to their home. the middle of the night, and the whole population of the Moshav was standing on the and cigarettes, we rested for awhile. Then we were brought to aMoshav. It was in we arrived an at orange grove with alarge storage hall. After we hot received had tea escortedcavalry us, and no one was allowed to speak or even light acigarette. Finally shore. There we to had lie flat and wait, probably for three hours.We were happy. The in the water up to their stomachs. We jumped off the and boats they brought us to the [Hebrew: “Defense,” and the name of aZionist military organization] who were standing the sailors took us to the shore. There we were by greeted members of the Haganah light. We were put in rowboats, of each which would hold 25 people, and nightfall, at lowed to reach the coast after sunset, when our ship was supposed to towards go ared we would have to stay outside of British territory for one more day. We were only al- On the seventh morning we reached British waters. We aradio received call, saying that them.with so we didn't send them away. Later, they would invite us these to eat yummy steaks just off cut apiece of the cow meat. More sailors came, but we were afraid of them, Then, one night, some of the sailors came with alarge kitchen knife. One of them no one would steal from the cow meat, which was hanging in front of the kitchen. Herbert Lewinwithhiscolleaguesonhakhshara inGolenic1938.Herbertisthird from theright.

195 196 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK was born in Berlin. He lived in a small house in Chaim, Kiryat together with his wife room in an apartment. Through a friend of mine I togot know Hans Rosenberg, who After awhile, Ididn’t want to live in the kibbutz was happy.everyone be working the at bakery starting tomorrow.” SoImade some delicious bread and told him that, yes, Icould make some better bread. And he said: “Well, then you’ll fell apart asked me if Iwas the at bakery and if Icould make some better bread. I hours, he was done with the bread. The next day lunch, at the man whose bread the dough; he just put it in the mixing machine. Iwas really surprised. Within three young Romanian man, but he no had idea he what was doing. He didn’t even knead there was amixing machine, an oven, and heating agas system. The baker was a yet and that Iwas abaker. The next day, Iwent to the bakery. It was agreat bakery; looked me at angrily and said: “Who are you?” And I told him that I didn’t have a job still in his hands. Ofcourse Istarted to laugh! Imean, it looked hysterical. he But just was sitting opposite me, his bread crumbled and fell into the soup; the crust was One day, we sat down for lunch in the dining room. When Ilooked the at who guy wasThat mydebut the at railroad in Tel Aviv. sit down in the shade, smoke acigarette, and in the evening you’ll back with go us.” sack on myback, Ibecame smaller and smaller. Soone of them said: “Go, lost, get there crouched, and they would put the sack on your back. When they put the first depot. It was wagons with loaded flourbags, 75 kilograms each. You get had to in glorious idea that they could send me to Tel Aviv, to unpack wagons the at freight else, either. So they didn’t know they what should do with me. Then they the had I couldn’t work any more and lay down flat under a tree.couldn’t I But do anything At some point, Ithought Iwas pulling out mylungs. It was 34, 35degrees [Celsius]; around the trees, for irrigation. trees under which we pulled out the weeds. And you tohad build an embankment a group of chalutzim and a group of Arabs. Everyone was in charge of a few rows of was asmall given axe, and we were brought into the orange plantations. There was kibbutz was asmall kibbutz socialist principles] with all mypeople from Yugoslavia. Iwas brought to Magdiel; it I wanted to to go akibbutz British military controls, and on went the journey... in the Secretariat of the Knesset where we were welcomed warmly. Istayed with aPolish couple; the husband worked sausage. Then, several buses with darkened windows took us to several families, In the morning we asumptuous had breakfast, with coffee, tea, olives, cheese, and ] worked outside, in the pardessim with no land. The kibbutzniks [Hebrew: agricultural collective community on based [Parliament] in Tel Aviv. We fake received IDs for the [Hebrew: orchards]. The next morning, I anymore and Istarted looking for a [Hebrew: people who lived on the FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Herbert Lewinwithhis colleaguesintheKibbutzMagdielIsrael in1939.Herbetisthe top row, secondfrom theleft. 197 198 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK vision. Arie loved the sea. He lived had in a things. roommate My Arie helped me a lot; like me, he worked there, in the wood-di - everything; they steel, had wood, planks, tar barrels, barbwire, and all sorts of other the desert who fought the Germans. They always people needed to reload and sort I found work in Motzkin. Kiryat There was an English base camp for the troops in 1950s in Israel, so he went back to Berlin in 1957. His daughters stayed in Israel. conscripted in 1948, mywife lived in his house. His wife Esther died of cancer in the room in his apartment. And we became friends. He helped me a lot. When I was Esther—who was born in Hungary—and their daughters. I rented in a bed a two-bed [German: Thanks! -You’re Welcome!—Thanks!—You’re Welcome!] “You don’t know that? They say: “Dankeschön, Bitteschön, Dankeschön, Bitteschön.” sons, right?” Tourist guide: “Yes.” what’s “But that sound they make: ‘Sh, sh, sh.’?” are nudging up bricks, shouting: “Sh… sh… sh.” Sothe visitor says: “They are ma- the sights, and then they to Nahariya, get where anew house is being built. People is ajoke about the Yekke swimming, we sometimes indulged in Gretel’s pastries. Nahariya was so tidy. There original Viennese coffee, iced and original Viennese apple strudel. After we gone had a really shop good pastry in Nahariya: Gretel Mayer was from Vienna, and she made We two had days of bathing vacation for ourselves, so we went to Nahariya. There was couldn’t find a job. So shecame to Palestine in 1933. finished an apprenticeshipat a knitting called Altmann, but afterfactory that she was Gertrude and she was Kurt Holzhacker’s sister from Vienna. In Vienna, she had she was. Then she asked me to dance with her and Ifell in love with her. Her name vivacious. Iwouldn’t But dare talk to her. Ididn’t know who she was with or who I felt entranced the moment her. at Iglanced She anice had figure, was funny, and girl. Istood there, fiddling around with mygramophone, and she started to dance. nings, sing Viennese songs, and dance cry with other. each One day, there was anew in front of their house. Sometimes adozen people would there meet in the eve - the Rosenbergs. In the evenings, Iwent back to the Rosenbergs. They apatio had twelve records—it was all I had. I couldn’t But bring it into the camp, it with so Ileft future brother-in-law. He worked with crane. aheavy asmall Ihad gramophone and theI left Rosenberg house and slept in the camp. Imet Kurt Holzhacker there, my to be anaval officer. the Israeli shipping line in Haifa. He started out as a sailor a cargo at ship and he rose ported munitions for the English navy. Later, he worked for the Shoham Company, money, so that he would be able to buy another With boat. this new cutter, he trans- luckily, Arie was not on board. him Igave money, and Iasked friends to him give he bought a fishing togetherboat with a few Arab But men. the boat sunk in a storm; fishing fleet. He alwayshad a yearning for sea.the One day hewent to Tel Aviv and [German Jews]: Aforeigner visits Israel. They show him all Kibbutz at the at and sea he worked for the FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES border via the Brenner Pass. For many years, Iwas aforeigner in Austria and to had In 1955, we went on aship from Israel to Italy, and then we took the train to cross the a lot. It was complicated for me apassport, to get but we managed. Johann Strauss II] on the radio. She suffered alot from homesickness… she suffered schönen blauen Donau” [“The Blue Danube,” by awaltz the Austrian composer the Austrian one. The only thing it took her to start crying was listening to “An der We divorced got in Israel, so that Trude wouldn’t Israeli get citizenship and lose took acab, brought home mydirty laundry, and picked up the clean clothes. came back home twelve every days, but we didn’t have much time; sometimes Ijust concentration camps to Israel. It was five hundred peopleat a time sometimes. I on Sundays and on holidays. It was apassenger ship; we even brought survivors from and Trude was in Haifa. It was hard work. We worked for eighteen hours aday, even friendMy Arie found ajob as achef on aship for me. Ispent five years on the ship, the army in 1950, Trude wanted to back to go Vienna, and Iwanted to with go her. Trude would visit me alot during mytime the at military. When Iwas dismissed from “What can Ido, Idon’t have aJewish name!” They argued back and forth, until they that she agreed was ahalf-Jew. Trude said: “I am aJew!” “Then you’re not aJew.” “I don’t have aJewish name.” can’t“That be true. What’s your Jewish name?” “Gertrude Holzhacker!” “And what’s your name?” “Zwi!” “And your Jewish name?” “Herbert Lewin.” “What’s your name?” someone from the street. The rabbi started talking Hebrew: we ten, we need have to find another one!” Somy friend Moishe just went get to “Oy vey, there are only nine [people] for the minyan came. In the rabbi’s apartment, they a had small chuppah. And then the rabbi said: all conscripted. SoImarried Trude immediately, for financial reasons. All our friends those people, because Iknow it what will be like.” And shortly after that, we were and Istood outside. Isaid: “Trude, nothing good will come of this. Ican’t dance with Israel declared its independence in 1948. Everyone danced on the streets, and Trude the restaurants, the stores—all of them Yekke That’s the kind of jokes you would hear in Nahariya; everything was Yekke . And that’s it what looked like: impeccable! [quorum required to pray], but around there: there: around 199 200 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Drweckie bay. He sat there with his wife and kid, drinking coffee. but with completely new buildings. They built ashore promenade all around the nephew says that it was rebuilt fantastically, according to the old, original plans, never around got to it. Now it’s too late, myeyes are getting worse and worse. My I’ve never back to been Osterode, but mynephew went. Iwanted to back, but go I operator. She died in March 2001. for aforwarder named Express. wife My Gertrude worked as awaitress and as an industrial product testing company named Controlla. The next ten years Iworked Austrian citizenship. first My ten years in Austria I worked as a product tester for an we should hire a lawyer. I did, and after a while he really did manage me to get the even here anymore.” Sowe went to the office of the Jewish Community. They said were just acting. They said that they already had expelled you and that you weren’t she cried and said: “You know they what asked me? If Ireally was that stupid, or if I Department of the Interior and the see minister right now.” When she came back were Nazis sitting in front of me. They treated me like apiece of dirt. I’ll to go the she said: “Don’t to go the aliens branch anymore. Iwent there and Ithought there Bäckerstraße, because myresidence permit expired had again, and afterwards that he really for advocated me the at employment agency. Once Trude went to the USIA businesses [The Administration for Soviet Property in Austria], and Ithink futureMy boss was amember of the Communist party, too. He took over one of work permit. Every six months, the same thing, back and forth. ficulties because of that. After my residence permit expired,had I had to file for a Partei Österreichs /Austrian Communist Party]. Ithink that quite Ihad some dif- Holland to Vienna. Later Ilearned that he was amember of the KPÖ [Kommunistische me. He was in Palestine with the English military, then he went to Holland and from check in regularly with the police. brother-in-law, My Kurt Holzhacker, vouched for FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES Herbert Lewin’s wife GertrudeinHaifa, Israel, in1950. 201 202 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK Hillel Kempler, borninBerlin1925, was interviewed by Tanja Eckstein inTel Aviv inAugust2010. HILLEL KEMPLER sister Miriam in 1923, and Ion October 26 Vyzhnytsia, and myparents relocated to Berlin. brother My Isi was born in 1919, my World War and the fall of the Monarchy, my father saw no future for his family in Galicia, which was partof the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. After the end of the First Kempler, and mymother, Liebe Kempler, lived until 1918. Vyzhnytsia belonged to sister Gusti in 1917 in Vyzhnytsia [today Ukraine], where myfather, Nathan David We were five siblings; I was the youngest.My sister Fanny was born in 1914 and my Tel Aviv,Israel Scheunenviertel was located between Hackescher Markt and the current Rosa Grenadierstrasse was a Jewish street in the famous Berlin Scheunenviertel. The everything. shows could breakfast eat and supper there. Iown aphotograph of shop the pastry that were some baked goods—they would also be delivered from the shop—and you Grenadier-strasse [today Almstadt-strasse] 20. In my father’s shop pastry there In Berlin he opened the kosher were more opportunities to advance professionally in Germany. thing to show for his life. He imagined, had or else heard, Idon’t know, that there was really tough. father My was ambitious avery person. He wanted to have some- Fanny and Gusti, since the postwar situation in Vyzhnytsia and in the whole region Right after the First World War myparents immigrated to Germany with mysisters theconnected partners on behalf of the family. ligious families and in those days there was Schadchen [Yiddish: matchmaker], who Vyzhnytsia. I don’t know how or where they met. they But both came from re very - sisters, Fanny and Gusti, were also born. Ibelieve myparents were married in mother’sMy maiden name was Ettinger. This family lived in Vyzhnytsia, where my laria and so couldn’t fight any more. Then cookedhe for the officers. Albania. Sometimes he would tell us how horrible the war was. He sick got with ma- World War myfather was asoldier with the Austrian military and was stationed in assistant in agingerbread bakery. After that he did his apprenticeship. In the First was an apprentice in shop, apastry and in 1906 hehis received certification as an fatherMy was born in [today Lviv Ukraine]. Inever saw his family. Atthe of age 14 he pastry shop pastry “Krakauer Café and Konditorei” at th , 1925, in Berlin. FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES power in 1933, he immediately shaved his beard. You couldn’t tell from his clothing that he was devout, very and as the Nazis came to revolved around the shtiebel. father My abeard, had but he was Modern Orthodox. togo his shtiebel. All of his friends were the at shtiebel, and his community life the and head arms during morning prayer], and Friday evenings and on Saturdays ofset small leather boxes containing Torah passages with leather straps worn on parentsMy were religious. Every morning myfather would put on tefillin [Hebrew: means room in Yiddish. Ican still remember some of these shtiebelekh well. very went to so many small shtiebelekh [Yiddish: prayer rooms], or shtiebel. Shtiebelekh In those days you would rent only one or two rooms and open asynagogue there. I gogues in the Scheunenviertel. These synagogues were not stand-alone buildings. There were alot of kosher the Communists. Of course, that time at Ididn’t know aCommunist what was. much. was That his interest. Our street was Jewish, very but we coexisted nicely with all. It was good for him that the Communists came to him, since they consumed so was adevout Jew, he didn’t understand politics, since politics didn’t interest him at father’s cheesecake was pretty well known. They always paid for everything. father My allowed to play with them. They drank beer and coffee and ate alot of cheesecake. My often called to me: come, Hillel, play with us! And Iwas always proud very that Iwas games—I can remember dominoes well. Ireally liked playing dominoes, as well. They were Jewish and non-Jewish Communists. They exchanged information and played tenpeople. to fifteen They spent a lot of time in theshop.pastry I know that there A Communist group met regularly in our shop. pastry There were approximately for him. Iknow that it was there and then it was gone again. They café didn’t exist for long, very however; it didn’t work out. It was clearly too big it must have around been 1931—rented alarge café across from shop. the pastry success of shop, the pastry myfather—I don’t know year what that exactly was, but sometimes when there were alot of guests. Ican still remember that, following the bakery with the machines. father My an had employee, but mymother also worked with tables for guests, next to which were two more rooms, and in one was the two or three steps, since the place was in the half-basement. There were two rooms beer. shop The pastry was pretty small. From the street-level you would down go cheesecake, apple cake, strudel, and such things. There was also ice cream and shop, it agood had reputation. In the shop there was coffee and avariety of cakes: my father rented shop, the pastry then later he bought it. It was awell-known pastry modern Jews like myfather and his friends, workers, and businesspeople. Initially Jews with payot Bülowplatz. In those days, in the Scheunenviertel, there were a lot of religious very Luxemburg During Platz. the time that Ilived there, Rosa Luxemburg was Platz called [Hebrew: sidelocks worn by Orthodox men] and prayer shawls, [Jewish religious dietary laws] shops and many syna- 203 204 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK was. Because of my sickness I was spoiled. very because But I was the youngest, I home near Hamburg for acouple of months. Idon’t know kind what of illness that as achild; strange Ihad blue spots on mylegs and to to go aconvalescent needed motherMy was a beautiful woman, and she was aloving mom. Iwas once sick very enrolled in acompletely normal primary school. When mybrother Isi was young, he was certainly also in ashtiebel. Later we were a Rabbi and a couple of other children there, and we learned religion and Hebrew. Before Iwent to primary school Iwould to go ashtiebel in the afternoon. There was young girl. We two had maids that looked after us children. One was called Herta. She was a withcoat our moving boxes to Palestine, but she of course for no had need it here. Astrakhan was That coat. quite exceptional, of course. In 1933 she sent the Astrakhan complished. father My often gifts gave to mymother. Once he even bought her an to do that, no one else. parents My were proud very of everything that they- ac had grandfather clock to that be needed wound once aweek. Only myfather was allowed expensive. very been had Ican recall it exactly. And there was alarge bureau and a which was alarge room. In the parlor there was along table for twelve people that shop. The apartment six had rooms. It was on the second floor. There wasparlor, a Our apartment was also on Grenadier-strasse, directly across from myfather’s pastry from the kids on the street. Israel: “Iknow your language, you’re from Berlin.” picked Ihad up abit of Berlin slang dren were on the street in those days, and someone said to me when Iarrived in High School in Berlin. Iwas always playing with lots of kids in the street. All the chil- many in Berlin. sister, My I guess, spoke High German, since she went to the Jewish than German. Sometimes they also went to aYiddish theatre, of which there were parentsMy spoke amixture of German and Yiddish, but it was certainly more Yiddish to us after eating the sausages? the forbidden! Isi it once. to try needed We thought, who knows would what happen one would find out and tell eaten pork I that had sausages. But that was such a thrill, me swear: “Hillel, you must never tell anyone.” And for years Iwas afraid that some- ran with the sausages to the next street and ate them in an entryway. Isi then made himself acorner at of the wagon and bought us apair each of sausages. We quickly these wagons and crept around it so that no one would us. see Then he positioned sausages. Ofcourse these were sausages made of pork. Isi brought me to one of Hillel, we’re going to buy sausages.” There were small wagons on the street that sold Isi, he was six years older than me, took me by the hand one day and said: “Come, We were kosher , of course, and weren’t allowed to even think about pig. brother My FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES had thathad in Berlin, not in the parlor, but in one of the upper rooms. maybe a meter, unpainted. was That to commemorate the history of the Jews. We It was atradition in Jewish households to leave of asection wall in aroom, not big, really like to have it, but it has disappeared. stories from this bible during Shabbat. Idon’t know where the book went. Iwould bible was written in Yiddish. once Often, we were already in Tel Aviv, she would tell prophets. The stories focused on women because it was created for women.] This of Biblical verses and stories, as well as the five scrolls and weekly readings from the U-Re’enah. It is well a very known bible for Jewish women. [A collection, in Yiddish, motherMy often read from the Yiddish woman’s bible—the bible was called Ze’enah the whole Haggadah, and that took hours. We loved our father; we respected him. Passover] home, at we always jump ahead because we want myfather to But eat. read king, he should also sit like aking. Today when we read the Haggadah [the book read on for him, and so he would be half sitting, half lying down. was That the tradition: if he’s a ate like aking. He wasn’t permitted to sit on achair. Two armchairs were put together my father worecap on aflat his that head was also embroidered with silver thread. He to put the on over coat his head. The arms were embroidered with silver thread, and stay there until the next Passover. For the Seder, myfather wore asatin He coat. had the middle, and there was anail in the room the afikoman would be hung on. It would er, and mysisters would bite the afikoman into a round shape, a hole would be made in the evening, which lasted afew hours. It could be abook or agame. Then he, mymoth- piece of matzah was allowed to ask myfather for something the at end of the meal in wasn’t allowed to end the meal until he the got afikomanback. Whoever found the wasThat the afikoman. We children had to look for and find the afikoman. My father cushion with three levels. father My took out one matzah, broke it, and hid one half. symbolic character. There were three matzoth [Hebrew: unleavened flatbread] a in sections—that was the Seder plate. There were various things in to eat with it, each a gious symbols was laid out on our large table. On the table there was aplate with five exodus from was Egypt] important avery evening. Alarge white tablecloth with reli- were put away. The Seder [Hebrew: Passover ritual retelling the story of the Jews’ the Passover dishes would be taken out. The dishes that we used throughout the year Before Passover the whole apartment would be cleaned, food would be cooked, and eat together. Holidays. During the week everyone came home adifferent at times and we didn’t so proud of the that we fact only the ate at large table on Shabbat and the High On Friday, on Shabbat, we always the ate at large table in the parlor. We were all close. very was also spoiled very by mysiblings. sisters My often looked after me; we were all 205 206 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK me. Ican’t differentiate between them. We were really anxious. Herta said that the think Istill what know of it, things that Iboth remember and things that were told to paring everything for the next day. Herta, our maid, quickly locked the front door. I Süssapfel’s apartment. It woke us all up. father My was still in shop, the pastry pre- Süssapfel family lived below us. One night we heard horrible noises coming from the They wore brown uniforms and boots. Ican still it right see before myeyes. The tions in January 1933, the Nazis immediately took to the streets, breaking windows. I want to talk about the day when everything changed. After Hitler won the elec- If Hitler hadn’t come we definitely would have stayed in Berlin. I looked for various things there and tried to remember, but couldn’t find anything. then in Berlin again and the Ihad right address with me. We went into the school and everything.see The first time I went looking for the street I didn’t find it. We were borhood. Once mywife Ester and Ivisited my school on Gips-strasse. We wanted to I didn’t care in those days. siblings My were all different at schools, all in the neigh- children acandy received cone. Idon’t know how many kids in myclass were Jewish; have a photo of myself in a sailor suit with my candy cone. Both Jewish and gentile a candy cone for myfirst day of school, which was already customaryback then. I In 1932 Iwas enrolled in the primary school on Gips-strasse. Ofcourse Ialso got today Ican still read German well, which is astounding. pers and periodicals. Then in Berlin Iwas only in school for ahalf ayear, and even storefronts. Maybe it’s because of my siblings, who were always giving me newspa- I could myhands get on. And when Iwent out in the streets Iread the signs on the I could already read before I went to school. I always loved reading. I read whatever half ayear. fromnegative the people on our street. Maybe in school, but Iwas only there for was Jewish or not. You were accepted. Inever heard “Jew” associated with anything good relationships with gentiles. It was totally normal and didn’t matter if someone on the ice on the square in front of the Volksbühne with other children. We also had without talking—with mybrother Isi or my sister Gusti, and in winter Iwould skate Babylon; Iknew it well. Iwould funny see films there—they were still silent, pictures across from the Berliner Volksbühne [afamous Berlin theatre]. Iwent often to the Babylon cinema was located near Grenadier-strasse, on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, York that landed in Berlin. We were there for that; the whole was city there. The Alexanderplatz, and often circuses. I can also still remember a Zeppelin from New togo Alexanderplatz, which was really close by. There were always markets at was closed on Saturdays. For example we’d to go Wannsee or Grunewald. We’d were always out and about. father My would come, too, since shop the pastry We were areal Berlin family, and enjoyed ourselves. We often drove around and FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES for the whole night. after slapping Mrs. Heinz twice across the face. father My stayed in the basement stood by as and though acted she didn’t know where my father was. The Nazis left They turned over all the tables and broke the machines and the furniture. Mrs. Heinz Nazis stormed the bakery and cried: “Where is the Jew, where is the Communist!” She said: “Idon’t know where Mr. Kempler is, Ihaven’t him seen since midday.” The into her wood cellar and let the Nazis in. bakery and yelled: “Mr. Kempler, Mr. Kempler, come quick!” Then she put myfather man. Mrs. Heinz ran quickly very from the backdoor of the courtyard to my father’s the Communists cake, as well. He wanted good relationships and was likeable avery relationship with her. father My often her gave cake as a gift. father My often gave diately knew was what happening. Mrs. Heinz was Christian. We good avery had They pounded on the door. Mrs. Heinz, the doorman’s wife, heard it. She imme- the Süssapfel’s, myfather was searched by the Nazis in the middle of the night. was aCommunist. That’s why one day in April, shortly after the horrible event with Communists during this time who defected to the Nazis. Many thought myfather The Communists who lived in our neighborhood knew my father. There were also pens. Everything was fine before that, and then all of a sudden something so awful hap - blood in the apartment, is something that has stayed with me. one could just into go an apartment, the beat people there, and that there was lifeMy changed that night. Ididn’t know anything about politics yet, but that some- were drunk, the people were warned that it should never happen again. the police log: Grenadier-strasse 36, 1a.m., fight between father and two sons, sons were chased away. Acouple of days later, Idon’t know who told us this, it said in or if they could press charges with the police. They wanted to press charges, but they came back home. No one knew the at time if the Nazis there been had officially, a hospital by foot. They carried themselves there and were bandaged. Afterwards, an ambulance, which also didn’t come. Then the father went with the two sons to ily wanted to call adoctor for help, but no one wanted to come. Then they called they wanted. Herta told us the wall was red with blood. Once the Nazis the left fam- them placed had the at wall and drove their into heads the wall. Idon’t know what inbeen the Süssapfels’ apartment and beaten had the husband and two sons: they the door and went downstairs. As soon as she back got she told us that Nazis had and then all of asudden it was quiet. We waited awhile longer, then Herta unlocked going on downstairs, but Herta kept chasing him away. There were horrible noises, brother, positioned himself our at front door and wanted to was what hear exactly family was being beaten downstairs, and that we weren’t allowed to out. go Isi, my 207 208 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK for her. as But achild Ididn’t take notice. father’s My employee was still in the bak- fatherMy was gone and mymother was alone with us children. I assume it was awful search lists for people like myfather yet, that came later. Luckily, it was still crude. trouble with his travel papers. was That still possible this at time. The Nazis didn’t have Switzerland to Italy, and then take a ship from Italy to Palestine without facing any fatherMy stayed with the farmer in the village until he could take the train through Germany quickly, because the Nazis would never stop looking for him. Lavan [Blue-White] and immediately understood that myfather to leave needed and Gusti were politically educatedthrough the Zionist youth organization Tchelet theat English consulate. was That the deposit my father to get back to Berlin. Fanny there, but never hit them. mother My to had pay alot of money for the tourist visa somehad respect for women. They would insult the few men who were standing of the consulate, few very men, and also people from the SA. At this time the SA still father, which he could use toto flee Palestine. A lot of women were standing in front since Palestine was an English protectorate then, and procured atourist visa for my sisterMy Fanny was 19 the at time. She and mymother went to the English consulate, Reichsmarks. my father. father My intogot the and cart they Berlin. left father My paid him 500 rode his horse-drawn carriage in front of the bakery. He brought special clothes for A relative of Mr. Meier’s was one of those farmers with afarm. The next day he with the potato peels. All the people on our street did it. mother potato collected peels and traded them for wood. The farmers fed their pigs the streets with horse-drawn and carts traded split wood for potato peels. Even my There were a lot of villages in the area around Berlin. The farmers drove through actually abandoned his beliefs since, for starters, he helped myfather into go hiding. of those who didn’t convert, but simply wanted to help by joining the SA and never this point the Communists were ready to underground. go Maybe Mr. Meier was one italists were responsible for the inflation, but Mr. Kempler was not a Communist. At and children, and sometimes even tickets for the circus. He knew that Jewish- cap Communist Party. Every time he was in the Jewish café he’d cake get for his wife shoes and his wife a warm That’s coat. the only reason he became a member of the him given had vouchers for food and for coal winter, his children clothes got and were going poorly for him and his family. He was unemployed and the Communists the commander. He told them that the Communist Party helped had him and things on the street in abrown uniform. He went to the SA office and wanted to speak with of Communists that would regularly visit myfather. After two days we saw Mr. Meier Mr. Meier was amember of the Communist Party in Berlin and was among the group FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES problems, Iknew that we were going to myfather. Vary without a problem. I funhad on the ride. I enjoyed it and didn’t think about believe. mother My carried one, and my brother Isi the other. We arrived in Karlovy We took the train from Berlin to Karlovy Vary. We didn’t have many suitcases—two, I resort. mother My also went almost year every to Karlovy Vary. Many Jews from Berlin would regularly go to Karlovy Vary for treatment ahealth at motherMy money had for the trip. It wasn’t difficult a get visato for Czechoslovakia. looked after by the youth organization. a lot of photos, that’s why Ionly have afew. After our departure mysisters were things. The mover took everything and sent it to Palestine. mother My didn’t take the crates for Palestine. We couldn’t take furniture, of course, but other important motherMy sold and away gave everything in shop. the pastry Amover helped us pack and that the chances to to Palestine get with the youth organization were good. very sistersMy stayed in Berlin. Fanny promised mother that she would look after Gusti, on aferry. Iwas seven years old, Miriam was nine, and mybrother Isi was fourteen. and family—to cross Europe by train and bus, and then into be smuggled Palestine mymothergive avisa. Somymother decided—maybe she also consulted with friends went to the English consulate. even But she couldn’t convince the official there to Palestine. She discussed it again with the official, but that didn’t help. Then Fanny said. Unless he came back to Berlin mymother no had chance of getting us avisa for to Palestine on atourist visa under the condition that he comes back,” the official visa for Palestine. “No, you can’t have anything all, at because your husband went the children. She went back to the English consulate and asked if she could have a together, maybe to Poland, or myfather will stay in Palestine and she’ll to go him with going to be good. She said that either our father comes back and we somewhere go motherMy didn’t know was what going to happen, but she understood that it wasn’t slowly! really aggressive. Everything began relatively slow. It didn’t start overnight—slowly, Jewish businesses were. father My also took afew hits, but that was before they got on the street they would them. beat They broke windows on the streets where the At this time the Nazis began hunting Communists and Jews. When they saw Jews mediately said: you’re also aCommunist. because it was dangerous. Because if someone sat inside, someone could have im- the shop, made their purchases, and again. left Iguess no one wanted to sit inside Customers were no longer coming into shop, the pastry but people still came into ery. mother My discussed with the employee that he and she would continue baking. 209 210 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK back to Belgrade. mother My immediately called Mr. Spitzer in Belgrade. Luckily we a passport.” Oh God, that was horrible! The train without left us and we to had go officials said, “we’re sorry, youcan’t come into thecountry if the boy doesn’t have he was. To acquire apassport for Isi, my mother would have to had to go Poland. The didn’t actually know if Isi was aKomsomol or if he was Mrs. Kempler’s son, as he said communist youth who wanted to turn Bulgaria into a communist country. And they learned much later, the Bulgarians that time at were really afraid of Communists and a passport;needed without a passport they wouldn’t let him into the country. As I tered on. she But nothing had for mybrother Isi. Isi was 14 years old the at time. He is in, since my mother onehad passport, which my sister Miriam and I were regis- Then something awful happened. On the Bulgarian border the Bulgarians didn’t let us atransit visa for Bulgaria. Friday night for Shabbat dinner. After three weeks mymother in succeeded getting good friends; it was abeautiful connection. We were always invited to their place on Mr. Spitzer’s help. During this time mymother and Mr. Spitzer’s wife became very Belgrade for three weeks because we weren’t able avisa to get for Bulgaria, despite money,had but didn’t know, of course, how much she was going to need. We were in guests here! He understood how difficult our circumstances were.My mother still for us, and everything, the at cost of the Jewish Community. He said: You’re our store. Mr. Spitzer sent someone to the train station and already had rented aroom Belgrade, and was seemingly well off—not rich, but well off. He worked in alarge he was Mr. Spitzer to me. He was on the managing board the at Phillips company in Committee in Belgrade. His name was Spitzer, Idon’t know his what first name was; motherMy already had made aconnection in Berlin with the director of the Jewish to Belgrade. my mother the had visa, which also wasn’t easy. We were on the train again, this time mother took care of everything. We wanted to to go Yugoslavia, and after two days can’t quite remember Ithought what of it back then. We lived in ahotel again, and Budapest is amagnificent city. I also backwent to Budapest a few times, and so I train to Budapest. something that wasn’t so easy. This visa was only valid for two days. We took the city, acouple of times. After afew days mymother avisa received for Budapest, story of the Golem. Many, many years later Iwent back to Prague, that beautiful with the synagogues; he also showed us the Old New Synagogue and told us the We met aman in the Jewish Community office who showed us the Prague old city from Karlovy Vary. mother My connections had with aJewish organization there. my mother an had acquaintance the at hotel who helped us. We went to Prague weren’t going there any more. We stayed there for about two days. Ibelieve that The hotel that we went to in Karlovy Vary was rather empty since the German Jews FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES in Istanbul, but Ithink in Belgrade or Sofia my mothergot theaddresses of a man afraid and never lost. got Ireally enjoyed the whole journey. We didn’t know anyone say. I ran through the streets of Istanbul and would find my wayback. I was never Miriam was more of anervous child, always clinging to our mother’s apron, as they child,I was active avery Imoved around alot, asked alot of questions. sister My next day. image That will stay with me forever. it functioned. Since we enough had time, mymother went with us to the bridge the through.get Isaw it from afar and there to get needed so Icould understand how Bosporus that they’d lift acouple times aday, twice maybe, so that the ships could there was something else there that I can remember: there was a bridge over the me; Ifound intriguing. it very the at Imarveled beautiful oriental synagogues, and fascinated by the Turkish bloomers the men wore. mother My to had explain it to the mosque roofs and minarets—all of that fascinated me. In Istanbul Iwas also were completely different than Iknew—narrow what and curvy. And then there were sometimes we to had laugh when we food got in the hotel. The streets in Istanbul nohad problems, sometimes it tasted good, sometimes it was even delicious, and Istanbul was also dirty, our hotel as well. The food was oriental and strange. very I Turkey. Our next stop was Istanbul. We were only in Sofia for a short time, since there was problemgetting a visa for a droshky!” Iwent to the droshky driver and him led by the hand to our suitcases. kies. mother My couldn’t even make herself understood. Isaid: “Wait, I’ll bring you wanted to call ataxi, which wasn’t possible because all they were had horse drosh- world, and it fascinated me. Ibecame the leader of the family there. mother My Everything was dirty. very never Ihad anything seen like it. It was awhole different street. There were horses and donkeys there, and the farmers sat in the street. European city. In Sofia the train station was next to a farmers’ market, right in the We took the train to Sofia. Until Sofia, all the cities we’dbeenhad to the air ofa Miriam and me. We all cried alot. solution. Soshe decided to leave mybrother in Belgrade and on go with mysister motherMy began to cry, but after acouple of days she saw that there was no other alone, we’ll take good care of him. Take the two children and leave the boy here.” sion, he can work in Palestine on akibbutz know awoodworker; he’ll live there and learn woodworking. When he has aprofes- It’s normal very in Europe to have fourteen-year-old boys begin an apprenticeship. I solution, the boy is fourteen years old, he that can age at stay here as an apprentice. counsel. After afew days he came by and said to mymother: “There is only one that we lived in was still free, and we moved back in. Iguess Mr. Spitzer sought had him!had On this occasion he even sent achauffeur to the train station. The room [Hebrew: farm] collective .He won’t be 211 212 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK later really helped us out. husband was the headwaiter in alarge café in Cologne. He spoke good French, and two children in our group. age We played with the children. Iremember that the brought one or more Jews with him. Afamily from Cologne arrived, acouple with there, that he would take care of everything. He came other every day and time each the courtyard. The restaurant owner could speak abit of Yiddish and told us to stay car to ahouse in avillage. The house and gate aheavy had there was afountain in In Beirut mymother the gave note to the restaurant owner and he brought us in his and was fascinated by it. watched the Arab women in their burqas—I never had anything seen like that before and him gave food and baskets of fruit. We sat behind the driver during the trip, I to Beirut all right. He told the bus driver where exactly he was to bring us in Beirut, like atruck. He spoke with the driver; he did everything to make sure we made it few words for him on apiece of paper then he brought us to an Arab bus that looked control. The restaurant owner was supposed to help us to Palestine. get He wrote a rant in Beirut [today Lebanon]. Atthat time Syria and Lebanon were under French with new, beautiful clothes, and he mymother gave the address of aJewish restau- also don’t know the what house looked like, the man brought us new suitcases filled the police might have noticed us. After two days, Ican’t remember much more, I something in Arabic, we wouldn’t have understood and able been to answer. Then didn’t want people to notice that something wasn’t right. If someone asked had us our mother clothing. We to had immediately change out of the Arab things since we thing and he invited us to his house. We were aroom, given and his wife us gave and don’t know anymore whether it was German or Polish. mother My told him- every rich Jewish family. This man and mymother were able to speak with one another, I idea. He went into the and city brought back aman, Mr. Chakim, who was from a the boarding house didn’t know how he should talk to us, and then he agood had spoke Arabic and French, and mymother spoke German and Polish. The man from cases were also gone. We couldn’t communicate—the people in the boarding house in the north of Syria. He us a boarding left at house, and then was gone. Our suit- there was no problem—we could proceed. The man brought us to Haleb, alarge city able trip lasted a number of days. The driver friends had on the Syrian border, so it would look as though we were afamily—husband, wife, children. The uncomfort- I were between placed the fruit boxes, and our mother sat next to the driver so that the ground, and Ilaughed alot. First we to put on needed Arab clothing. Miriam and Turkey shipped fruit to Syria. Said, the driver, wore bloomers that almost reached deny ever having met us. Ashort time later atruck with boxes of fruit came, since who promised to help us as soon as it was possible for him. he But would have to to to Syria get ed first. After a few days in the hotel in Istanbul a man showed up from Istanbul to Syria, and then cross the illegally sea with fishermen. - But we need in Istanbul, and she in got with contact this man. We to with go needed asmuggler FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES possible. and were immediately under way. The aim was to bring us to Palestine as quickly as of the Arab fisherman. Everything go to very quickly.needed got We on the boat the right one, me under the one. left Even the adults were carried on the backs and Iwere carried together by one Arab; he took us under his arms, Miriam under we were on the sea. Arab fishermencarried us through the water to the ship. Miriam sea. AnArab was waiting there and showed us the with path aflashlight. And then bus drivers quickly threw the suitcases from the buses again, and we drove to the police would figure out immediately that we wanted go to to Palestine illegally. The we’ll on go without the passports!” On account of the names in the passports, the the number of passports. Once they were gone the bus drivers said: “Quick, quick, cleared up.” The police all collected the passports. They counted the people and up the passports tomorrow the at police station in Beirut, then everything will be enoughreceived money from them, but we want all of their passports. You can pick back in the cars, and with go them to Beirut. It’s not our problem that you haven’t nohad interest in driving behind two broken buses, they said: “Take the people driver explained that the bus’ motors were not in good shape. Because the police the buses to follow their car to Beirut, and explain the situation from there. The bus out of their car and didn’t know they what should make of this. First, they wanted not going any further. You can stay here!” In the meantime, the police gotten had and boxes from the roof of the bus. He screamed to the supposed tourists, “We’re bus drivers about the payment. One of the bus drivers began throwing the suitcases deviatedhad from the road. There were arguments between the tourists and the this occasion to be used now: we were agroup of tourists on their way to who Egypt distance. The bus driver knew that it could only be the police. There was aplan for so they took routes over sand and stone. All of asudden we saw headlights in the The bus driver was afraid that we would be stopped by the police and inspected, and by the sea. the Arab fishermen who were bringing us to Palestine somewhere along the cliffs suitcases were tied to the roofs, and then we were really off. We were to meet day they said: we’re leaving today! Two small buses came into the courtyard, our it would be pushed back again, because of the stormy sea, for example. Until one village. They would tell us that we’d be leaving some evening this week, and then wait, wait.” Then there were about twenty of us waiting in the house in the small We kept asking when we would be leaving and they always answered us: “wait, restaurant owner more needed and more money for the smuggler. We were in the village for two weeks. mothers My less had and less money since the shore.to bring us would fishermen The plan was that we would be taken to Palestine on an Arab fishing boat and the 213 214 THE GERMAN JEWISH SOURCE BOOK heading in the other direction. We didn’t lift our hands as it wasn’t our direction and or two of us. the But taxi didn’t stop. After an hour we saw another taxi, but it was We thought that if the taxi was driving in the direction on Tel Aviv it could take one After some time alarge, black taxi came from the direction of Haifa. We signaled. going. keep that we’d sit under the tree and wait until someone came by, since none of us could saw atree. It was the first tree we saw—finally a little shade. And the adultsdecided schlepped slowly ahead; we were tired and sad. It was awful! We kept going until we know if the adults drank, but we children drank. Then the Arabs kept going. We They understood us and one or two of them us gave children alittle water. Idon’t speak with them, but we only knew the word maim, which is water in Arabic. they were going to work and the water to last needed the entire day. We wanted to ter in the vessels, but we were certain that they wouldn’t us give any water because people, then we saw Arabs. They were carrying vessels. We knew that there was wa- fora path horses and donkeys, and we walked along it. Atfirst encounteredwe no south of Haifa. We didn’t know how far it was to Tel Aviv. Along the there sea was the Arabs said had that that is where Haifa was, and we knew that Tel Aviv lay to the erated on theywhat could do. They decided that we should south,head because water. We began to cry. no But one could help. The next morning the adults delib - little. It began dark. to get Iwas thirsty very and wanted to drink, but there was no itch. We undressed, got laid the clothing out on the brush so that they would a dry It was September. We stood on the beach,our clothes were wet. Our skin began to gone. Palestine, the rest is your problem!” They and left acouple of suitcases were also went closer to the beach. We were brought to the beachin a small “This boat. is Palestine. On the fourth night their search efforts subsided had abit and our ship understoodhad immediately and relayed to the English that we were on our way to we were coming when we didn’t to go Beirut to pick up our passports. The French Someone told us later that the English really were looking for us because they knew pita. Ican That remember. waseat pita and olives. Ididn’t like the olives, they were so oily, and so Ionly ate the where the harbor in Haifa was. We to wait needed a few more days. All we to had of Haifa and the fishermen saw even more searchlights. That’s how they knew exactly They turned back to the sea. The following next night the ship was somewhere south to Haifa the fishermen saw searchlights that were sweeping the sea for illegal ships. air. It would have too been dangerous since we couldn’t As be we seen. closer got tohad throw up because of the rocky sea. No one was allowed on deck fresh to get We slept on sacks in the belly of the ship. Everything smelled like fish. Many people FOUR GERMANJEWSTELLTHEIRSTORIES us to her apartment and cooked for us. saw our mother. We out got of the droshky, they kissed other, each and she brought bells,had everyone heard that adroshky was coming. And that’s how Mrs. Rabinovich everyone watched it. Adroshky was an Other attraction. than that, droshkies always There weren’t many droshkies this at time, and if adroshky went through the street Palestine for afew years. Her was face beaming. Mrs. Rabinovich and her husband already had living been in Mrs. Kempler, welcome! Welcome to Eretz Israel!” It was Mrs. Rabinovich from Berlin. we were riding through Nachlat Benjamin, awoman suddenly yelled “Mrs. Kempler, Jewish family in Tel Aviv. We took adroshky, she the gave driver the address, but as motherMy tied had money and apiece of paper to her body with the address of a Aviv in 1933, you stuck got in sand. made of wooden planks so that the people didn’t stuck get in the sand. was That Tel train station was on Allenby Street, and there were sidewalks to the and left right YehudaBen Street was only about one hundred meters long, maybe even less. The roads—two, three main streets, otherwise there was sand everywhere. For example, two-story houses here and there, but they were few. And there were few very paved was also European. The houses were small and red had roofs. There were already that time Tel Aviv was asmall city. There was alot of sand, but on the other hand it Tel Aviv by train.We stood there in Tel Aviv and knew no one. You must know that at help you if something happens.” Luckily nothing happened. That’s how we to got conspicuous. A member of of each our families will with go you on the train; they’ll there is atrain. Spread yourselves out in different compartments so that you’re not anyway. Today is Shabbat, there are no more trains today, but tomorrow morning who know will what happen! It’s dangerous to stay here, but you want to south, go and they said, “They’re looking for you, and they want you! And if they find you, a bit easier. We also told them that they looking been had for us with searchlights Palestine for along time. They brought us food, we showered, and then it became to communicate. They were probably Russian Jews that already had living been in diately began recounting happened. what They spoke Yiddish, and so we were able away was what going on. They brought us into their houses, and person each imme - are Jews here. Once they saw us, the families in the houses also understood right Atlit was asmall Jewish fishing village with a few small houses. He said to us: there and drove us to Atlit—first the women and children, and then the men. In those days French. The driver of the car understood immediately that we were illegal emigrants for us, the father of the other two children, the waiter from Cologne, could speak it drove past us. then But the car came back and stopped under the tree. Luckily 215