Eli's Promise Read online

  “I’ll take Izzie,” Eli said. “He doesn’t mind. He’ll sit in the office and draw or read his books. We’re very busy now, overloaded with contracts for repairs. Some of the Catholic churches suffered structural damage in the bombing, and they are hiring us to do the work.”

  Esther put on her coat. “Stay away from the Nazis. Yesterday, I saw them grabbing men at random, pulling them into the street, and ordering them to clean up bomb rubble. Some were elderly and disabled, but it made no difference. They were forced to pick up heavy pieces of concrete and bricks with their bare hands while the German soldiers stood by watching and laughing. Anyone who hesitated was beaten. Eli, they are treating us so cruelly.”

  “My father told me that there’s been general looting of Jewish stores. German soldiers walked into Birnbaum’s jewelry store and cleaned him out. I heard that Clare Hersch objected when they tore through her millinery shop, and they swatted her down with a rifle stock.”

  “She came to the clinic yesterday,” Esther said. “I treated her bruises. I think that the council should know that the stores are being looted and should file a protest to whatever German is in charge. I also think you should tell the council that there are many displaced families that cannot find apartments in the Jewish quarter. They’re forced to find shelter in archways and beneath overhangs. The council should compile a list of available apartments. Tell them that when you go to the Chachmei tonight.”

  Eli smiled. “You should join the council.”

  * * *

  The brickyard was busy when Eli and Izaak arrived. Because of the heavy demand, Jakob had hired extra help. “They bomb our city, destroy half the buildings in town and we are left to repair them,” Jakob said. “I’ve had to put on six extra men. At any other time, we’d be happy to have the business, but to tell the truth, many of our customers can’t pay very much. It’s a hell of a time to go into the charity business, Eli, but I don’t know what else we can do.”

  At the noon hour, the rabbi rushed into the brickyard office, sweaty and out of breath. “They took our yeshiva,” he said in a shaky voice. “Nazi soldiers, no better than Huns, barbarians in fancy uniforms. They marched in and ordered everybody out of the building. I protested, I said you cannot do this, but they laughed at me, Jakob. Two mamzers picked me up, carried me out of the Cachmei and threw me onto the grass. They said, ‘It’s not your building anymore, priest. It is Juden verboten.’ It’s off-limits to anyone but authorized German staff. I tried to tell him that the Cachmei is a holy place, our school, our library. It holds priceless books and papers, famous throughout the world.”

  “What did he say?”

  The rabbi shrugged. “Nothing. He turned a deaf ear to me. He just ordered everyone out and said it was no longer our building. I begged him please to be careful with the books and papers, that they are precious and irreplaceable. Some of them are hundreds of years old. I told him we would organize a group to come and pack up the library.”

  “What was his answer?”

  “Nothing. He didn’t respond. I was invisible.”

  * * *

  Jakob closed the brickyard at sundown, and Eli and Izaak headed for home. As they turned the corner, they heard shouts and screams coming from the direction of the Chachmei. People rushed past Eli yelling, “Save the yeshiva.” Eli picked up Izaak, put him under his arm and ran in step with the crowd. As he neared the building, he stopped dead in his tracks. A line of helmeted soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder barred their approach. Behind the line, soldiers were carrying books and papers out of the yeshiva and throwing them into a pile on the street.

  “Our scrolls, our history,” the crowd yelled, but they were blocked by the soldiers. When the pile reached a height of five feet, gasoline was poured, a torch was thrown and the flames of the bonfire rose to the sky. People wailed. “The fires of hell,” they cried. Eli grabbed Izaak and put his hands over the youngster’s eyes, trying to hide from them a vision that could haunt him for the rest of his life. He held his son tightly against his chest and turned for home.

  The bonfire continued for hours, and the cries could be heard throughout central Lublin. The Nazi command ordered a German military band to stand in front of the yeshiva and play marching music to drown out the cries. Ultimately, German soldiers carried the Torah scrolls out of the yeshiva and tossed them onto the flames. Several of the Lubliners tried to rush up and save the holy scrolls, but they were swatted away like houseflies.

  The interior of the Yeshiva Chachmei was ripped apart that night and stripped clean of its religious significance. The next morning it was designated the headquarters of the German Order Police.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  LUBLIN, POLAND

  OCTOBER 25, 1939

  WEEK 5 OF THE NAZI OCCUPATION

  “Eli,” Jakob called. “Can you come to the office?”

  Clipboard in hand, pencil behind his ear, Eli walked from the brickyard into the small office.

  “Yes, Papa.”

  “The rabbi was here again. He said that the Germans have demanded a contribution of three hundred thousand zloty from the Jewish community of Lublin.”

  “Contribution? For what?”

  “According to the rabbi, it is to reimburse the Germans for keeping their army in Lublin.”

  “That’s insane.”

  “Go complain to Hitler. I’m sure he’ll be attentive.”

  “What does that mean for us?”

  “The rabbi wants twenty thousand from the brickyard. He says we’re still busy, we’re doing business and we can pay.”

  “He has some chutzpah! Half the repairs we’re doing are at our cost. We’re not making money off the occupation.”

  “It doesn’t matter; we have to contribute. There is other news. I learned that the Nazis will conduct a census in the next two days. They will require all Jews to register with the Nazi command.”

  “For what purpose?”

  “Because they are conquerors and we are the conquered.”

  “How do you know this will happen?”

  “Maximilian. He was here earlier today, and he told me.”

  “Maximilian Poleski? How does he know anything at all? He’s nothing but a salesman who brokers our supplies to the Catholic side of the city, for which, by the way, we pay him a damn nice commission. Why would he know anything about the Nazis’ plans?”

  Jakob raised his eyebrows. “He knows. You know how he sidles up to influential people, how he walks around town in his fancy suit and straw hat. Now he’s managed to worm his way into favor with some of the Nazis. He says the Nazis are paying him to identify and register Jews.”

  “He’s denouncing Jewish families to the Germans? That snake! Six years ago, he came to you with his fancy hat in his hand begging for a job. You gave him the church accounts. Now he turns on us? He’s pointing out Jewish families for the Nazis to arrest?”

  “Not to arrest, just to identify. They want to know who is Jewish and who is not. He hasn’t turned on us, but he is definitely working for the Nazis. He came in today to give me a warning. He says all Jews must voluntarily register.”

  “Register for what?”

  “Maximilian does not know. Or he is not saying. But if people don’t register, they will be punished.”

  “He’s a rat, Papa. Sever all ties with him. Louis can take over his accounts.”

  “I’ve thought about that, but I’ve decided not to make a change. Maximilian is still managing the Catholic Church accounts and making us money in a very difficult time. Your brother does not have contacts in the Catholic community. Besides, Louis is more of a teacher than a salesman. Let’s leave him to his duties at the yeshiva.”

  “What yeshiva? The yeshiva is gone. It’s a Nazi police station and a jail.”

  “Louis has been studying with the elders in the synagogue basement since it reopened. It’s a makeshift yeshiva. He has also been appointed to the Judenrat. The Nazis have demanded that a Jewish council be established
to speak for our people.”

  “The Judenrat? We already have a Jewish council.”

  “Now it is the Judenrat. Since Henryk Bekker was president of our community council, he was appointed president of the Judenrat. Louis is one of several named to the committee. At least in that regard you should be proud. He is well thought of in our community. Therefore, Louis is too busy to take over any sales accounts. We still need Maximilian to handle the church accounts, and we are overloaded with their business.”

  “But Papa, how can we associate with a man who makes his bed with the Nazis? Today he’s identifying Jews. What’s he doing tomorrow? He’s no better than they are. The Nazis are confiscating Jewish homes and businesses all over the city. They’re rounding up Jews and shipping them off to who knows where?”

  Jakob raised his index finger. “That is exactly the reason we should continue to employ Maximilian. We don’t know where, but he might. He’s found a way to ingratiate himself with the vermin. Through Maximilian, we have eyes and ears inside the German administration.”

  “What else did the great Maximilian tell you?”

  “Well, it’s no secret that the Nazis are seizing Jewish businesses. He told me that the Nazis are paying him to identify which businesses to take, but he promises that he will protect us and our brickyard.”

  “He’s full of shit.”

  The older man put a gentle hand on Eli’s shoulder. “We are at war, son, and we must keep our heads. We have families to protect. Although we have known Maximilian when he was nothing but a well-dressed street scrounger, he has now cultivated a relationship with the Nazis. Yet he professes to have loyalty to us. When he came by today, he told me that he would protect the brickyard from seizure and safeguard our family.”

  “Do you believe him?”

  “I believe he will try as long as it suits his ambition and is financially advantageous to him. He makes good money as our sales agent.”

  “And you trust him?”

  “Of course not, but he sees opportunities to work his rackets and he is privy to information that others are not. Last week, a trainload of Jewish families from Bohemia and Moravia arrived here in Lublin. Maximilian told me that Jews from other provinces are being sent here as well. He has learned that the Nazis intend to build a huge reservation designed to hold five hundred thousand Jews.”

  “Five hundred thousand! There are only forty thousand Jews in Lublin. Where is this reservation supposed to be?”

  “Nisko.”

  Eli’s face turned red. “That’s a swamp, Papa.”

  Jakob nodded. “True. Maximilian told me that it is designed to hold only the Jews brought in from other towns, not the Lublin Jews. He thinks the Nazis will register us and leave Lublin families alone to live in the Jewish Quarter.”

  “I don’t believe him, Papa. They’re confiscating homes and businesses in our neighborhood. The Bornsteins were given one week to vacate their home. Why would they leave the Rosens alone?”

  “Because Maximilian will intercede on our behalf.”

  “At what price?”

  “On that, we shall see.”

  * * *

  “The Cohens were forced to give up their house today,” Esther said as she stirred her stew on the stove. Eli could see that Esther’s nerves were on edge. Her movements were tense, her muscles taut.

  “Where did they go?” Eli said, snitching a warm piece of challah.

  “Leah told me that they rented a small unit in the quarter. Most of the families who have lost their homes are trying to find apartments there. Even storefronts are being rented. It’s becoming a teeming, unhealthy mess. The Nazis gave the Cohens three hours to gather their belongings. Three hours, Eli! Leah called me at the clinic. She was frantic. ‘What can I possibly gather in three hours?’ she cried. I rushed over to help her. That poor girl. She had so many lovely things, but we could only collect essentials—clothing, shoes, bedding, pots and pans, Mikal’s books, a few dishes. We wrapped them in sheets and blankets to wheel them in a cart like a peddler. All of her beautiful things, Eli—you know what a lovely home she made—she had to leave them all behind for some filthy Nazi. She was heartbroken. Why, Eli? Have they no respect for anyone? Would they like someone to do the same thing to their mothers?”

  “As my father said, it’s because we are the conquered.”

  “Are we next? When will they come in here and give us three hours?” Esther began to weep. “When will they take our home from us? All my precious things, my mother’s things. Everything I’ve put together to make a lovely home for you and Izzie.” She wiped away her tears with the back of her sleeve.

  “There is no acceptable answer, Essie, but you speak only of possessions. They are things. They are not you, and they are not me, and they are not Izzie. As precious as they are, they are objects. Maximilian says he is protecting us from Nazi seizures. Whether he is or not, what’s important is that we hold on to each other. We’ll always have each other. You, me and Izzie. If we have to move into some little apartment, we’ll move, and we’ll do it together and make the best of it. Sooner or later this storm will pass, and we’ll establish a new normal. The three of us. You have to have faith.”

  Esther nodded. She wrapped her arms around Eli and held him tightly. “I’m trying, and I do have faith. I don’t have confidence where Maximilian is concerned, but at least we are still living in our home and you still have your business. And you’re right, this may be temporary. No matter how severe the storm, you will always be my sunny day.”

  “That’s my girl. Our love can weather any storm. Never forget it.”

  She kissed him and folded into his embrace. “You and I are forever,” she whispered.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  LUBLIN, POLAND

  OCTOBER 30, 1939

  WEEK 6 OF THE NAZI OCCUPATION

  Maximilian, sporting a new wool overcoat, homburg hat and polished wing tips, strutted into the brickyard with a uniformed SS officer and three armed SS guards.

  “Allow me to introduce SS Brigadeführer Odilo Globočnik,” he said. “Brigadeführer Globočnik has been appointed the governor of the Lublin District.”

  An acerbic man with a long oval face and close-cropped hair, Globočnik gave an ever-so-slight nod. He proceeded to stroll around the brickyard with his hands clasped behind his back, mentally inventorying the variety of materials and the manner of operation, after which he and Maximilian returned to the office, where Eli and his father stood waiting.

  Maximilian briskly approached with a broad smile. “Eli, Jakob, I bring you good news. Because of…”

  Before he could finish his sentence, Globočnik stepped forward, moved Maximilian aside as though he were a waif, and said, “So this is the primary source of Lublin’s construction and building supplies?” He spoke without emotion in an imperious tone.

  “Yes, it is, Herr Brigadeführer,” Maximilian said deferentially.

  Globočnik looked pleased. “Hmm. I see your point, Maximilian. This business will be useful in several of our projects, and we shall take it immediately. We may begin by transporting construction materials to Lindenstrasse. That will shortly become Lublin’s center for mandatory workshops, and it must be operational as soon as possible.”

  “Understood, Brigadeführer, and I am most anxious to help,” Maximilian said with a series of obsequious nods.

  “Excellent. We’ll appropriate this business, but how do you propose we manage it? No one on my staff has experience in managing a brickyard and construction company. I suppose I could bring in someone from Berlin, but that would take time.”

  “May I humbly offer a suggestion, Brigadeführer? Appoint me as the operator of the brickyard.”

  “You, Maximilian? Are you fully confident of your management ability? I will not tolerate a failure.”

  “Oh, of course I am, Herr Brigadeführer, or I would not suggest it. I have worked at this business for six years, and I am intimately familiar with its operation. My sales a
re the highest in the company. No one knows the inside operation of a construction business better than I do. I would be proud to operate this business.” He quickly added, “For the benefit of the Reich, of course.”

  With a flick of his hand, Globočnik gestured to Eli and his father. “What about the former owners? Do you have any use for them?”

  “Most respectfully, I think they could be useful. The Rosen family has operated this business for many years, and they have done so more or less efficiently. I propose that we keep them on as employees. They will be even more efficient under my leadership.”

  Globočnik seemed skeptical and raised his chin. “They are Jews. We can expect no loyalty. You will have to be watchful.”

  “I can assure you that I will tolerate no laziness or inattention,” Maximilian said confidently. “Work will be done diligently and promptly under my supervision. Allow me to start filling orders for the project at Lindenstrasse at once.”

  Globočnik nodded. “Very well. I am depending on you, Maximilian. Do not disappoint me.” The SS general slapped a crop against his leg and walked out the door.

  Maximilian winked at Eli and Jakob and said, “You see, I told you that I would protect you.”

  “Oh, we feel great,” Eli scoffed. “You just stole our business. What the hell is Lindenstrasse?”

  “Oh, that’s the new name for Lipowa Street. The Nazis are clearing the old athletic fields and they’re going to build a labor camp there.”

  “What sort of labor camp?”

  “Well, they don’t tell me everything, Eli, but I’ve seen some plans. There will be several workshops and barracks for laborers. The workshops will produce products needed by the German army.”

  “And where are they going to get the laborers for their workshops?”

  “They don’t share every detail, but it doesn’t take much imagination to know that the only workers in this area are Lubliners. So I guess they will recruit workers from the city.”