'Das Haus' the House and the Son of the Rabbi. Sean Ryan Stuart
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Stated a somewhat irate Krieger. He hated to lie to his old comrade, but he truly believe that he had done everything within his limited power.
“No, I don’t think so. Our lives have been changed forever. We could never feel the same way about Germany, but we still would be proud of our German heritage.” Replied Franz his voice trailing off in to a sob.
“I am truly sorry, Franz! You should have listened to me, and you would not have been in this situation! I am angry with you for putting me in this dilemma. Enough of this, just follow my orders and things will take their course.” Stated Krieger as he walked away from Rabbi Goldmann without looking back.
The die was cast. There was nothing that Krieger or Franz could do now. Events would take place beyond their control. Both men wished that things had happened differently, but circumstances had dictated otherwise.
Krieger returned to his barracks in Dueren and finalized the assault on Niedergeyer. He had to plan the final removal of most of the Jews from Niedergeyer and the surrounding communities, and Rabbi Goldmann had to reflect on a poor decision he had made.
As he re-entered the house, his wife pleaded with him, “Franz, Franz what is happening to us? Why did he strike you in the face? Are you OK?” Begged his wife.
“Don’t worry, all is well. God will protect us.” Replied the rabbi.
Things went from bad to worse. Before the week was out a total of forty-two lost souls were crammed into Das Haus. No one knew how long they would be there or what their future held for them. The inhabitants of Das Haus were fortunate to have Rabbi Goldmann as their spiritual and practical leader. Once the initial shock wore off, he organized them into sleeping, working and kitchen details. Everyone had a job to do. The Nazis initially allowed them to go work in the garden and continue growing the multitude of fruits and vegetables in their backyard. However, at least four heavily armed guards watched over them.
Like most Germans the Goldmann’s had a large potato patch, some beets, a small amount of wheat, various types of leafy plants, cabbage and twenty fruit trees. As long as they still had money, Rabbi Goldmann had worked it out with Dieter Krieger, they could twice a week, under armed guard, go to the local grocery store and purchase necessities. The Nazis did not provide them with any food or water, at least for the first few weeks anyway.
However, the inhabitants of Das Haus had to be careful. Their funds would eventually run out and hunger would set in. Sarah Goldmann had for years canned most of her fruits and some vegetables and had an ample supply of each. Franz was also the local butcher and had hundreds of already made sausages and other culinary delights in his cellar. All in all they managed to take care of themselves. Except for the occasional spat over this or that, their lives were filled with daily chores and plenty of anxiety.
The biggest problem seemed to be keeping the younger children occupied and out of mischief. Franz assigned the older teenagers the task of finding ways to keep them busy. It wasn’t before long that shrill laughter was once again heard in the Golmann household. Hordes of children were seen running up and down the stairs, from the attic to the basement. It was a comforting sound despite the horrible situation they were in. Children have a way of coping with circumstances a lot better than adults.
What appeared to be a nice routine, was in fact the quiet before the storm. On a quiet, but cold evening Johann Krieger once again came knocking at the door. He seemed only to appear in bad and cold stormy weather. His appearances were reminiscent of old vampire movies. He skulked around in the shadows and disappeared just as quickly. As it was customary only Rabbi Goldmann or his wife Sarah were allowed to answer the door. This would keep the nervous inhabitants in the dark until such time they needed to know. Rabbi Goldman had purposely devised this plan to attempt and control those who might have wild ideas of escape or other schemes. The Gestapo man had made it very clear. “Anyone attempting to escape would cause the immediate execution of all forty-two souls.”
There were some who doubted the sincerity of this threat, but Rabbi Goldmann kept reminding them on a daily basis not to jeopardize their already tenuous situation. It was a constant battle on his part to maintain order and discipline. His previous military training came in very handy at times. Some of the inhabitants resented his new-found authority, but most accepted it.
On this faithful evening Johann Krieger asked to see Franz alone. Both men asked all inhabitants to go upstairs or to the cellar. Once this was accomplished Krieger said.
“Franz, do you have the list I asked for two weeks ago?” Asked Krieger in a somewhat grouchy tone.
“Well, I, I, I don’t have it ready yet.” Replied a frightened, yet courageous rabbi. In his own way Rabbi David Franz Goldmann was trying to stand up to this Nazi.
“What do you mean? You don’t have it yet? You have had plenty of time, and my hands are tied, Franz! You either provide me with the list, or I send all off you to Buchenwald concentration camp tomorrow morning!” Screamed an irate Krieger.
Franz did not know what to do? He in fact had a list. He had gotten all the names together on the first evening, but was too afraid to turn it in. It burned a hole in his pocket, and he wished to be rid of it.
“Tomorrow morning, tomorrow morning? What do you mean? Has it come to that?” Asked Franz, tears slowly rolling down his cheeks.
“Tomorrow?” He repeated as if not wanting to believe this horrible yet inevitable event. His right hand reached in his pocket grasping the note. Although too afraid to say anything, his motion gave away the hidden message.
“OK, OK! Let’s play a game. I accidentally reach in to your pocket and discover the list? You are therefore not responsible, and the matter is settled? How does that sound?” Asked Krieger, his lips smiling like a toad.
Before Franz could respond, Krieger shoved his right fist deep in to Franz’s pocket and fished out the list. He held it high in his right hand, waving it back and forth like a trophy. Franz was too shocked to say or do anything. He let out a heavy sigh and bowed his head in shame.
Krieger started reading the names of those individuals who were on the list. Pausing occasionally to catch his breath. Franz eventually turned his head away and began sobbing.
| Name | Date of Birth | Place of Birth |
| Anders, Jakob | June 27th, 1898 | Moers |
| Anders, Anna | July 1st, 1903 | Embken |
| Anders, Samuel | April 4, 1921 | Embken |
| Anders, Bertha | September 9th, 1923 | Embken |
| Alexander, Daniel | June 7th, 1896 | Dueren |
| Alexander, Ida | May 11th, 1901 | Niedergeyer |
| Denlon, Simon | June 21st, 1886 | Niedergeyer |
| Dingelmann, Hermann | August 8th, 1883 | Guerzenich |