Jacob and Rebecca Silver are thrilled when their only daughter Sara gives birth to Jonathan on November 26, 1936, in Vienna, Austria. He is their first and only grandson. These Jewish grandparents expected to dote on the little boy, but Hitler and his agenda disrupted that.
As the Nazi soldiers take over Austria, Jacob, Rebecca, Sara, and her husband, Ari, face some difficult and life-changing decisions. They know they must flee Vienna, but it is too late to flee to the United States. As a plan unfolds, the families decide it is best to hide the one-year-old Jonathan in a nearby Catholic orphanage.
Sara and Ari plan to escape Austria through the mountainside to Switzerland. Jacob and Rebecca become Hans and Greta as they hide in the orphanage until they can successfully be transferred to a refugee camp. Just before they leave the orphanage, Sister Lucille entrusts Jacob with a secret list containing the names, ages, and birthdates of the eight Jewish children hidden at the orphanage. To ensure the children's safety, he must protect the list at any cost. The family prays they will be able to reclaim Jonathan when the war ends.
THE SECRET LIST
a novelBy Stephen PalmisanoTrafford Publishing
Copyright © 2010 Stephen Palmisano
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4269-1598-7Contents
INTRODUCTION.................................................vCHAPTER I Political storm clouds.........................1CHAPTER II Our new grandson...............................7CHAPTER III The Rabbi's warning............................13CHAPTER IV The Nazi takeover..............................18CHAPTER V Our stay in the convent........................23CHAPTER VI Escape to Switzerland..........................28CHAPTER VI The interment camp.............................33CHAPTER VIII The war ends...................................41CHAPTER IX Searching for our grandson.....................47CHAPTER X Help from abroad...............................57CHAPTER XI Reunion........................................67CHAPTER XII New beginning..................................77
Chapter One
Political Storm Clouds
The weather on the first day of spring of 1936 in Vienna was beautiful. The promise of renewal that spring brings each year usually lifts the spirits of even the staunchest pessimist. This would be true here in Vienna, if not for the hard times of the worlds economic depression. Things were tough for most in Austria, except the fortunate few. The rise of Hitler to power in Germany, and the recent political troubles in our homeland was very upsetting, especially for our small Jewish minority. Political storm clouds over Europe seemed on a collision course that couldn't be stopped. This started in March of 1933, when Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss of Austria adjourned Parliament. This act was sure to cause trouble between the Christian Socialist Party and the opposition Social Democratic Party. Sure enough, a political war between the two parties resulted, and although short lived, divided the loyalties of the citizens. The Christian Socialist's were against uniting Austria and Germany. The Social Democrats and the local Nazi party wanted this unity. Although Dollfuss ruled as a dictator, his rule was short lived. He was soon assassinated, it was rumored, by the Nazis. Dollfuss was succeeded by Kurt Von Schuschnigg as Chancellor. He too wanted to keep Austria independent from Germany. Austria was mostly Roman Catholic, and our small Jewish community coexisted peacefully with them, but not with the pro Nazis. It was in this atmosphere of 1936 that the Jewish community had to exist.
Our recently married daughter, Sara and her husband Ari, phoned us early that spring morning to invite us to their small apartment home for Passover Seder. Ari's grandparents, parents, and younger sister would also be there. This would be Sara's first hosting of a Passover Seder. She was very excited, as my wife told me after her phone call. My name is Jacob Silver. My wife Rebecca and I have always lived in Vienna. I am a History Teacher in a nearby elementary school. My wife works in the local library. Both of us are in our early fifties and have no thought of retirement. Our only child Sara, has been married for almost a year. We anxiously hope that soon we will be told that a grandchild is on the way, but so far nothing has been said. Sara's husband, Ari Fenerman, is a ski instructor at a nearby ski resort. This is where he met our Sara, who had sought ski lessons. The courtship was swift, and soon she was getting free lessons from her new husband.
As the first days of spring passed, the start of the Passover celebration would soon be here. The Seder dinner being hosted by Sara, was on the following weekend. Sara was in constant communication with her mother to make sure she got everything right. She wanted to make a good impression on Ari's parents and grandparents. The day for our daughter's first Seder arrived, and that morning was spent by my wife answering numerous phone calls from Sara requesting guidance. We arrived at our daughter's home with my wife's contributions to the dinner in plenty of time for her to help Sara with the preparations.
The other guests had not yet arrived, so Ari and I took this opportunity to talk about the current political events troubling our country. Soon the other guests arrived, and we all exchanged our salutations and blessings on this celebration of Passover. Ari's parents were in their early forties, and his grandparents were in their sixties. His younger sister, his only sibling, was just twelve years old. She was twelve years younger than Ari, who was twenty four years old. Our daughter Sara was twenty two years old.
The Passover Seder went very smoothly and I could see the glee in Sara's eyes on her successful hosting of the event. Ari's grandfather led us in the torah readings that are part of the tradition for Passover. After the final toasting of the Seder meal, all of us men adjourned to the parlor, while the ladies took care of the cleanup. Ari's father Joseph, soon brought up the topic of the political turmoil that was going on, and told us that he and his wife Brenda and their daughter Rachael, were thinking of leaving Austria with Ari's grandparents, if the situation became any more hazardous for the Jews. They urged Ari to also consider the move, but he thought that his father was over reacting. Besides, he said, Sara and I have an announcement to share with all of you. This peaked everyone's curiosity, and Sara was summoned from the kitchen with the other ladies to announce her pregnancy. Ari's grandmother, Golda exclaimed to Ari's mother Brenda; "See, I told you she looked pregnant."
Ari's grandparents, Simon Fenerman and his wife Golda had another son, Joshua. He lived in New York City with his family. Joshua urged them, and all the other family members to immigrate to America. He was successful in business, and had the means to sponsor all that would decide to come. Ari's father was considering this move, but Ari was opposed to leaving Austria. His love for skiing, and the beautiful Austrian Alps was something that he dreaded leaving. Simon and Golda said they were too old to wait for the political troubles to end, and had made up their minds. They urged Joseph and Brenda to seriously consider the move for their families safety. That evening after all the traditional practices for Passover had been fulfilled, we parted company, and returned to our small home with the good news of the coming birth of our first grandchild and the depressing news topics of conversation that occurred that day about the turmoil that engulfed our nation.
The weather in Vienna in the summer of 1936 was very pleasant. As the days of summer passed by, Sara's baby bump was growing visibly larger. The news coming out of Germany was not so pleasant. The refugees coming from Germany, to escape the Nazi terror, brought this news. For those of us that would be affected by a Nazi takeover here in Austria, this news was very upsetting.
Sara's baby was due to enter the world before he start of the Chanukah season. Her pregnancy went smoothly, and her husband seemed more excited about the coming event than Sara did. It was late November on the 26th of 1936 when their son was born. They chose the name Jonathan for their new son. At his circumcision by the Rabbi at temple, both Rebecca and I, along with Ari's parents, sister, and grandparents were there. My wife decided to host a Chanukah celebration that was due to arrive in the coming weeks. It started to seem to me that Ari's grandparents had chosen wisely in their decision to immigrate to America. When my wife phoned Ari's parents to invite them for Chanukah, they told her that they had also decided to go to America. Ari's grandparents, Simon and Golda, his parents, Joseph and Brenda, and his sister Rachael, were all to leave Austria at the end of Chanukah, at the years end. This Chanukah celebration would also be a farewell gathering for our son-in-law's loved ones.
Chapter Two
Our New Grandson
Our new grandson Jonathan, was a strong and healthy baby. He had a continuous smile on his face. Rebecca and I thought he was truly adorable. His light complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair, although scarce, gave a very striking appearance. Sara and Ari seemed to be delighted with their chores of taking care of Jonathan. If the political turmoil of the times wasn't a factor, their outlook would be very happy.
Chanukah arrived and our gathering was to occur on theeighthday of the celebration. Although our home was small, and our financial resources limited, we went all out to provide the best of everything for our guests. The soon departure of Ari's family to America was very sad for him, but knowing that they would be out of harms way was also comforting to him. The uncertainty of our future, for those of us remaining in Austria, was very troubling. There were ugly rumors coming out of Germany about the terrible things that the Jewish community was enduring. No official news, but we were all convinced that the rumors were true. Simon and Joseph had visas from the American Embassy for their family's immigration. Their route would take them by rail from Vienna, through the danger of Mussolini's Italy, to the port city of Genoa. Hopefully their American visas would protect them from any harassment by the Fascists. There they would all board a ship to travel through the Mediterranean Sea, across the Atlantic Ocean, to America. When Ari received a cable from his father that they were all safe at his uncle's in New York City, he was relieved of the worries of their traveling through Italy.
So much for their troubles, now we that remained in Austria must make plans for our escape if the Nazis took over, as seemed to be what was happening. After the ski season ended with the approach of Spring and Summer of 1937, Ari could spend more time at home with Sara and his new son. He could be there to experience his son's development. Watching Jonathan scurry across the room on his hands and knees, and then taking his first steps was very pleasant. Soon Jonathan was starting to form words. Ari and Sara seemed very happy.
The weather in the summer of 1937 was ideal. Vienna was in her glory, just like a beautiful lady at a fancy ball. The days seemed to come and go very fast, as they always do in summer. I suppose this is true everywhere, as no one desires the approach of fall and winter. It was on one of these beautiful summer days that Rebecca and I asked Sara and Ari to take a walk in the park. My teaching duties were over for the summer recess, and Rebecca was also on vacation from her job at the library. We all met at the park, and then stopped at a nearby cafe for a light lunch. After lunch we all resumed our stroll. Sara and Ari, with Jonathan in a stroller, walked ahead and Rebecca and I followed. As we walked along the path, we were met by two Catholic nuns approaching us from the opposite direction. As the older of the two nuns got near to us, both she and my wife broke out into gleeful exuberance. After the hugs and salutations, Rebecca explained to us that she and this nun, now Sister Margaret, were childhood neighbors and best friends. The difference in their religious beliefs never interfered with their close friendship.
Rebecca then introduced me, Sara, Ari, and little Jonathan, to her old friend. Sister Margaret then insisted that Rebecca and I come to her convent on the following day, and said it was most important that we do so. We were given the directions and time for this meeting, and again the importance of this meeting was emphasized. Sister Margaret and Rebecca then exchanged hugs again and we parted company. For the rest of our walk in the park that afternoon, I couldn't get this strange unexpected meeting out of my mind.
At the appointed time on the following day, we arrived at Sister Margaret's convent. It was then that we found out that she was the Mother Superior. She was in charge of the convent and all the functions that were part of the convent complex, including the orphanage, and the old age home. We both were brought to Sister Margaret's office by a young nun, and it was obvious that we were expected. Sister Margaret greeted us warmly, and told us she was happy that we didn't change our minds about this visit. She then said that we should accompany her to her private outside garden, where we could talk in private. After she showed us the beautiful flowers and features of the garden, we all sat on a stone bench for our talk. She told Rebecca that the rumors she was sure that we had heard about the terrible things that were happening to the Jews in Germany had been verified by the clergy that were coming to Austria from Germany. She told us that it was the Nazis intention to annex Austria, and that we should leave as soon as possible with our daughter and her family.
"If this isn't possible and you get stranded here, I want you to know that I will be here for you as much as I can. You're grandson can be hidden in our orphanage for as long as needed, and issued forged documents to hide his Jewish background, if you find this necessary. If both of you need my help, I will hide you in the convent, and try and help you leave the country. Both of you can be disguised, and furnished forged identity documents, and travel with a group of clergy to Italy. From Italy, I can arrange for your escape to Switzerland. Please don't take this warning lightly."
Sister Margaret then brought us to a parlor where tea and cookies were served. With tears in their eyes, Sister Margaret and Rebecca bid each other farewell. We then were escorted out of the convent. This meeting was very upsetting to both of us, and we felt an urgency to discuss this with Sara and Ari. On the way home I commented to Rebecca, that you and Sister Margaret must have been very close friends when you were children. She responded with four words, "The best of friends." That evening we went to Sara's apartment to discuss that afternoons meeting with Rebecca's old friend. After explaining to both Sara and Ari, the urgent warning that Sister Margaret had given to us, their attitude seemed to be that we were overreacting. Ari pointed out that our chancellor and his Christian Socialist Party, who were in control in Austria, were opposed to unification with Germany. Ari with bravado in his manner, then said he could get to Switzerland at any time he wished with his knowledge of the passes through the mountains and the ski trails that he knew about. "That's fine for you." I said, "but what about Sara and Jonathan?". He responded that Sara was also a good skier and with his help, he was sure that they wouldn't have any difficulty. "What about Jonathan?" I repeated, "Could he also ski across the mountains?" This comment subdued his bravado on his ability to escape if the Nazis took control. Rebecca then told Sara and Ari of the offers of help from her friend, Sister Margaret.
After our visit, I was sure that our children would at least now think seriously about about the need to leave Austria, if this terrible threatening Nazi takeover of our country came to pass.
The political climate in Austria in the summer of 1937 was beginning to show the results of fear and intimidation. More and more, the people were afraid to voice their opposition to the unification with Germany. It became apparent to the Jewish community, that if and when there was a Nazi takeover, there would be few to raise their voice in opposition. Those few brave individuals who spoke against the Nazis were soon silenced permanently. It was now difficult to find any Austrian to openly voice their opposition to unification with Germany.
Chapter Three
The Rabbi's Warning
That weekend at Temple, it was noticeable that there were fewer in attendance. Our Rabbi, who was usually very jovial, seemed quite solemn. In his sermon he explained the reason for the light attendance that he was sure that we had noticed. Then in alphabetical order he named the families that have left Austria to escape the eminent threat of a Nazi takeover. "This summer of 1937 was the start of a new exodus for our Jewish brethren," he said. He then went on to tell us the latest information that he heard of, about the treatment of Jews in Germany. Rabbi told how the Nazis had stationed German troops in the Rhineland with disregard for the treaty that prohibited this act with no action by the allied nations. He wondered how long it would be before Hitler marched on Austria. He recommended that all of us that could, leave Austria for a safer location, and do so as soon as possible. After Temple that day, the unusual amount of hugs and friendly demeanor among our group indicated the extent of fear and worry that we all felt.
In the following weeks we received word of the many families that were disposing of their possessions at ridiculous low prices. This apparently in preparation for a quick move. "How sad," I said to Rebecca. "You labor for a lifetime to accumulate things to pass down to your children, and then you have to discard them for an escape to safety." We never were wealthy enough to be able to have valuable things, but we did have those items which were dear to us, those mementos that were reminders of our long time together.
Both Rebecca and I then seemed to take careful stock of all our possessions, to see what we would leave, and what we would like to take with us if we had to leave Austria quickly. Surprisingly there was very little that we had that was important to us, except for our wedding rings, some photographs, and some legal documents. I know that my wife had many discussions with our daughter on this same topic.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from THE SECRET LISTby Stephen Palmisano Copyright © 2010 by Stephen Palmisano. Excerpted by permission.
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