Small Stories - reported in the Israelitisches Familienblatt
Small Stories - reported in the Israelitisches Familienblatt
Source : Israelitisches Familienblatt , 1937
Strange Shame - Berlin
Source : Israelitisches Familienblatt , 12 August 1937
We go on the Subway. My companion is a pleasant young lady who is gradually starting to deal with Jewish issues. But it is hard for her. Deep down she is still one of those who would rather not belong to the Jews and who still has no real understanding for the serene confidence of Jewish life. But at least she has genuine good will to make the transition, even though at times she may experience relapses. So there we are in the subway. We are reading, not talking to each other. My ears catch the sound of a discreet discussion close by. My companion listens too. 'What kind of a language is this?' she whispers, 'and who are those people?' I have to laugh. I can feel what will come next. 'These are Jews', I say, 'and apparently very good Jews, because they speak Hebrew'. I myself feel a stab of jealousy, as the two gentlemen speak the language fluently and with the proper accent… 'Hebrew?' Someone moans softly at my other side, 'My goodness! Here, in the Subway!' How can I now explain to my companion that Jews have the same right to have their own language as the French and the English, who will use it without thinking twice when going on the Berlin subway. Or rather: how can I make it clear to her and her like that her shame offends us? When one is faced with the choice between fury and humour, one should prefer laughter to anger. I therefore turn to her face which has a dumb expression because of her dismay and say: 'I was only joking, Helena, the two gentlemen are speaking Turkish. But if you will now say thank God', I will slap your face right here, in the subway.' And even now, she did not understand.
The Unmatched - Fulda
Source: Israelitisches Familienblatt, 3 June 1937
Sammy has been living in London for the past four years. He is a good son. Since his economic situation is good, he wanted to please his old mother and invite her to come visit him in May…. Actually, the old lady was supposed to come and live with him. But try talking to old people. She refuses categorically. She wants to stay in the small place in the area of our town. She had a good life there with her late husband, her children were born there her loved ones are buried there. No, she will not move to London. But she will come for a visit.
