As father and I walked to our synagogue on the top of a picture perfect hill I felt no fear. I had heard about Adolf Hitler, the chancellor of Germany, but father and mother had assured my brothers and I that he would not come for us. I placed my yamaka atop my head and opened the door for father. I was quiet for I was in the presence of God. Rabbi Goldstein was huddled in a corner with other men. “Daniel, Aaron, please,” he motioned for us to join “I’ve just received the news, they are coming. Our worship is cancelled, you must go, lock your doors and pray.” Father pushed me out of the synagogue hastily. I simply could not register the fact that the Nazi’s were coming to Tongeren, and at a great rate. Father slammed the door of our small
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I can assure you we are Christian.”
“Save it Jew, I don’t want to hear it, take them away!” The man yelled.
My brothers hid behind Father, but I was alone as I was pushed out of the only home I had ever known.
I didn’t know where I was going. I had heard the horror stories of the concentration camps, Auschwitz in particular, but I still had no clue what this journey would be like. I didn’t speak German, and the officers did not speak French so really there was no way of knowing. I had heard the word “Mechelen” but to me that just sounded like a bunch of mixed up syllables.
“Men and boys to the right, Women and girls to the left.” An interpreter commanded.
I looked to my mother, a distraught look on her face, I couldn’t bare to lose her. Mother held on to us boys as tight as she could. Father had to pry her cold hands from Hansy. Mother didn’t cry like most of the other women, her face was stone as Father pushed her towards the left.
The four of us waited in the almost mile long line, filled with Jewish men and boys of all ages, for what felt like forever. Finally we reached the front, “Name?” a nazi asked.
“Aaron Levitt.” I replied
“Age?” the nazi questioned.
“15.” I
I can assure you we are Christian.”
“Save it Jew, I don’t want to hear it, take them away!” The man yelled.
My brothers hid behind Father, but I was alone as I was pushed out of the only home I had ever known.
I didn’t know where I was going. I had heard the horror stories of the concentration camps, Auschwitz in particular, but I still had no clue what this journey would be like. I didn’t speak German, and the officers did not speak French so really there was no way of knowing. I had heard the word “Mechelen” but to me that just sounded like a bunch of mixed up syllables.
“Men and boys to the right, Women and girls to the left.” An interpreter commanded.
I looked to my mother, a distraught look on her face, I couldn’t bare to lose her. Mother held on to us boys as tight as she could. Father had to pry her cold hands from Hansy. Mother didn’t cry like most of the other women, her face was stone as Father pushed her towards the left.
The four of us waited in the almost mile long line, filled with Jewish men and boys of all ages, for what felt like forever. Finally we reached the front, “Name?” a nazi asked.
“Aaron Levitt.” I replied
“Age?” the nazi questioned.
“15.” I