'Das Haus' the House and the Son of the Rabbi. Sean Ryan Stuart
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His country and their leaders were going to betray him and his faith.
“But, but, but Johann, isn’t there anything you can do?” Asked an emotional and teary-eyed Franz.
“You fool! What do you think I am doing now! Do you know what would happen to my family and me if I were to be found out? Yes, I would end up in the same place you might be going unless you leave this evening! Is that understood? All of you must be gone when I return tomorrow morning! I have no choice Franz. You must flee to Belgium this evening and never return! If you pack your belongings in the next hour, you could be in Liege by three in the morning and to Oostende by morning. There are ferries to England on the hour, and by this time tomorrow evening you could be in London safe and sound?” Stated a pleading Johann.
Franz gazed at his old comrade in arms, but no words could come out of his mouth. This paralysis lasted a whole minute or two. Both men just stared at each other without saying anything. Finally Franz broke the ice.
“I, I, I can’t believe this is happening to me. We don’t have a single enemy here. Why are they doing this to us?” Asked a confused Franz.
“I am sorry you can’t understand what is going on, but I have risked my life and the lives of my entire family to try and save you. If you are unwilling to do anything about it, you will be responsible for the consequences! Franz, I owe you this much. You saved my life on two separate occasions, but if you do not follow my warning, you will have to answer to your God for your actions and consequences.” Finished a somewhat angry Johann Krieger.
“I sincerely thank you for your interest in my family. I will have to discuss it with them and come to a conclusion this evening.” Answered Franz, as he showed Johann the door.
“Don’t be a fool Franz, tomorrow will be too late, and please never repeat to anyone what happened here tonight! Understood? Don’t call or discuss this matter with anyone except your family! Finished a somewhat desperate Johann.
Johann stood there transfixed and reflected. After all, Franz had been there for him on several occasions in the trenches near Fort La Bombelle in northern France,1914-1918. He once again pleaded to his old comrade to leave the country.
“I shall never forget what you did for me in France and I hope by warning you tonight, my debt will be paid in full. There is not enough time to explain our political differences, however I do know that you were a brave German soldier and fought for your country. I implore you and your family to leave tonight. You may not survive what may happen to you tomorrow or in the next few weeks. Please, I beg of you listen to me and get out of the country. I don’t have time to go into all the details, but sometime tomorrow officials of the Gestapo, the police, and SD members will be coming around and arresting all Jews in this village and all the neighboring villages.
Additionally, your synagogue will be burned down.” Stated Johann, running out of breath as he spoke.
“What, what are you saying? Is this for real? This can’t really happen to us, I’m a German, and I’m a loyal German.” Shouted Franz, his voice sounding strangely aggressive for this usually mild-mannered man.
“As you know Johann, my family has lived in this village for nearly three hundred years and we have always been patriotic and supportive of Germany. Why are they doing this to us? stated a somewhat dismayed and embittered Franz.
“I am not the man to talk to about this problem. As I already informed you, I’m coming here at great personal risk and you must listen to me. I don’t have time to discuss all of the political ramifications with you, however I do know that if you and your family don’t leave tonight you may never get another chance. I will not argue the point with you now. I don’t intend to spend too much longer here. This is the one and only chance you will get from me. When you see me again tomorrow, I must follow orders and do my duty. Please, I beg of you for the sake of the children and your wife. Do the wise thing and leave now! After tomorrow the borders will be more difficult to cross, and Belgium is only 32 km away. If you and your family left in the next hour, you could be there by morning.” stated Johann, his voice rising in anger as he walked out the door into the darkness. Johann had mixed emotions, but he felt that he had done the best he could, and if Franz chose to stay, it was his own doing.
Before Franz could utter another word, or finish his thoughts, Johann turned off the hallway light and sneaked out into the night. His muffled footsteps were barely audible, and within a few seconds he had vanished into the night like a vampire stalking his pray. Johann quickly walked away into the cold night. His black hat and black leather coat blending in with the darkness, and within three seconds he was invisible. This sudden action caught Franz by surprise. Franz stood in front of the darkened door and attempted to reflect on this horrible news. Only the cold air finally brought him back to reality and he quietly closed the door.
His brain was not accustomed to handling this type of information. Franz attempted to plan a course of action that would benefit his family.
“What does that mean? What are we going to do? Are we the only ones who know? Should we tell the others? Oh, Franz I am so scared.” Stated an extremely upset Sarah.
“Calm down, and let’s discuss it.” Whispered Franz.
Sarah had been listening to the whole conversation through the closed bedroom door. The moment Johann Krieger left the house, she came out into the hallway pale as a ghost. Her whole body was trembling, and she began to cry uncontrollably.
Before he could come up with a satisfactory answer, his wife tapped him on the shoulder and shocked him back to reality. Franz had never seen his wife in such a worried state.
“Franz what does that mean? What are they going to do? What is going on? Are we the only ones who know? Should we tell the others? Oh Franz, I am so scared.” Stated an extremely frightened and distraught Sarah Goldmann.
“Calm down, calm down, and let’s discuss it. However, I believe the children have a right to know? Don’t you think so? Asked Franz as he turned and hugged his wife.
“Yes, I guess so, but this is so frightening. I am worried about my father and grandfather in Kerpen.” Stated Sarah as long streams of tears ran down her face. Deep concern was written all over her face.
“Oh, don’t worry. Everything will be all right. Krieger only spoke of us, and our synagogue. We don’t know what they have planned for Kerpen? Let’s sit down and talk about it.” Replied Franz as they both walked into the living room.
Just then both children, Erik and Esther walked into the living room and sat down next to their parents.
“What is going on? Asked Erik. Esther just sat there her big brown eyes fixed on her father’s worried face.
“Why are you still up and why is mama so upset?” Asked the youngest child, Esther.
Both parents sat there in silence; not knowing what to say or do. Finally Franz said:
“We just received some bad news, children. Some very bad news! An old army friend has told me in strict confidence that the Nazis are going to take some kind of action against all Jews living in Germany. This will take place tomorrow morning, and he has advised me to leave for Belgium tonight and never come back!” Stated Franz with emphasis.
Sarah and the children remained silent, but Erik finally stood up and asked his father a question.
“Do you think this is serious? What could they do to us? Work camps? Or worse? Concentration camps?” Asked Erik, his voice quivering as he mentioned the words.
Almost on command, both women started sobbing uncontrollably again. Their tears growing in size and rapidity.
Within seconds, both of them were hysterical.
“Quiet, and don’t worry. Papa will know what to do. He is the one to make the decision.” Stated Erik, standing up and facing his father.
“Thank you for your confidence, but this decision affects more than just the four of us. Remember our flock consists of around 12 Jewish families, and thirty or