The year was 1933, Hitler had just come to power in Germany. My name was Taavetti Swanepoel. My family and I lived in a Jewish community in Berlin. Generation upon generations of my family have lived in this community. I wasn’t a rich man or a poor man, I worked hard for what I own. My family and I lived modestly in a small home. I was the owner of a small Jewish bakery and was very established in the community.
One day Hoffman, a regular customer who I have known since childhood, came in at the same time he did everyday. As soon as Hoffman entered my dilapidated shop I knew something was wrong. He was out of breath, face red like an apple, and wasn’t dressed in his signature coal black suit with a navy blue tie. Instead it looked like …show more content…
Startled I asked,”What could be wrong?”.
“I was tipped off by a close friend in the political scene that HItler has a bad plan. It explains why there so much violence.He planned the school bombing of Munich and he planned the mysteriously sunken Jewish trade ship in-”
I cut Hoffman off, “What’s his plan and why does it explain these tragedies.”
“Hitler believes that to bring Germany power the Jewish must be eliminated. He brought on the attack on the school and sunk the Jewish tradeship. Word is he is going to boycott all
2
German Jews. Laws as we speak, are being written to exclude the Jewish. You must believe me! I beg of you. I have a bad feeling of this Taavetti.” Hoffman exclaimed.
“I don’t understand. It doesn’t make sense.” I said.
Hoffman turned for the door and said “Please think about what I have told you. This is the may be the last time you will see me as I am moving to Poland. Remember what I said. Be careful Taavetti.” and Hoffman was …show more content…
I was preparing the bakery for the day like I had done for the last 16 years. I turned and noticed 3 Brownshirts standing in front of my shop. I politely opened the door and asked to what they were doing.
“A general boycott was announced. No customers are allowed to enter your shop. Close and leave,” One Brownshirt stammered.
“Why should I?”, I asked.
“I’m doing what I am told. Leave.”, He forcefully told me.
I grabbed my stuff and closed shop, as I didn’t want to mess with the Sturmabteilung. This is exactly what Hoffman had warned of. It wasn’t just my shop. The clothing store on Kurfürstendamm was being boycotted as well and several others. More and more people were grumbling about HItler's plan. I decided that it was time to take action. I didn’t want to stay and risk one of my daughters or my wife getting hurt.
After a few days of talking to one of my friends at the U.S. Embassy, he secured my family and I a trip to America. We were crossing the Atlantic on a steamboat. I was assured that the ride was going to be pleasant and prompt.
‘We departed from Spain April 15, 1933. As promised the ride was smooth and easy. Us and about 200 others rode the Prometheus to Ellis Island. We landed safe and soundly no issues. As expected we were met by a flurry of people being rushed into the building. I
One day Hoffman, a regular customer who I have known since childhood, came in at the same time he did everyday. As soon as Hoffman entered my dilapidated shop I knew something was wrong. He was out of breath, face red like an apple, and wasn’t dressed in his signature coal black suit with a navy blue tie. Instead it looked like …show more content…
Startled I asked,”What could be wrong?”.
“I was tipped off by a close friend in the political scene that HItler has a bad plan. It explains why there so much violence.He planned the school bombing of Munich and he planned the mysteriously sunken Jewish trade ship in-”
I cut Hoffman off, “What’s his plan and why does it explain these tragedies.”
“Hitler believes that to bring Germany power the Jewish must be eliminated. He brought on the attack on the school and sunk the Jewish tradeship. Word is he is going to boycott all
2
German Jews. Laws as we speak, are being written to exclude the Jewish. You must believe me! I beg of you. I have a bad feeling of this Taavetti.” Hoffman exclaimed.
“I don’t understand. It doesn’t make sense.” I said.
Hoffman turned for the door and said “Please think about what I have told you. This is the may be the last time you will see me as I am moving to Poland. Remember what I said. Be careful Taavetti.” and Hoffman was …show more content…
I was preparing the bakery for the day like I had done for the last 16 years. I turned and noticed 3 Brownshirts standing in front of my shop. I politely opened the door and asked to what they were doing.
“A general boycott was announced. No customers are allowed to enter your shop. Close and leave,” One Brownshirt stammered.
“Why should I?”, I asked.
“I’m doing what I am told. Leave.”, He forcefully told me.
I grabbed my stuff and closed shop, as I didn’t want to mess with the Sturmabteilung. This is exactly what Hoffman had warned of. It wasn’t just my shop. The clothing store on Kurfürstendamm was being boycotted as well and several others. More and more people were grumbling about HItler's plan. I decided that it was time to take action. I didn’t want to stay and risk one of my daughters or my wife getting hurt.
After a few days of talking to one of my friends at the U.S. Embassy, he secured my family and I a trip to America. We were crossing the Atlantic on a steamboat. I was assured that the ride was going to be pleasant and prompt.
‘We departed from Spain April 15, 1933. As promised the ride was smooth and easy. Us and about 200 others rode the Prometheus to Ellis Island. We landed safe and soundly no issues. As expected we were met by a flurry of people being rushed into the building. I