The Jewish families in Budejovice continued to feel the restrictions tightening around them, as the Nazi soldiers lived in their town and ruled it. One day in September 1939, John walked into the living room to find his parents huddled around the radio, their faces gloomy. John moved closer to hear the radio, and recognized the voice at once. It was Adolf Hitler, shouting out a proclamation to what sounded like a mass of cheering supporters. “What is he saying?” asked John.
“Hitler’s armies have invaded Poland,” his mother replied. “Britain and France will have to stop them now. There’s going to be a war, a very big war.” Her voice trembled as she glanced over at her husband.
Hitler’s speech continued from the radio. “The Jews are our misfortune,” he shrieked. “Workers of all classes and of all nations, recognize your common enemy.”
John looked at his parents and he felt afraid. It was one thing to worry about the occupation of Czechoslovakia; that was scary enough. But they had hoped that Hitler would settle for the territory he now held – that things would not get worse, and would eventually get better. Now, the reports on the radio confirmed their worst fears. Hitler was trying to take over all of Europe, country by country.
Day after day, John and his family listened to the radio. Within one month of Germany invading Poland, the Polish army was defeated. The Nazis continued their push, moving against Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. And still Hitler pressed forward. As frightening as it was to hear about his victories, the Jewish families of Budejovice were hungry to know the truth about what was happening around them.
All across Europe, anti-Jewish activities were on the rise. As in Czechoslovakia, education was restricted for Jewish children, and adults were no longer permitted to own businesses or even work for their old employers. Like John’s father, Jewish doctors, nurses, dentists, and lawyers could no longer practice their professions. All Jews over the age often were ordered to wear yellow stars to mark them as outcasts. Jewish men were being taken away and forced to work for the Nazis, constructing buildings and railway tracks.
Still, John’s parents tried to keep up a brave face. They didn’t want to worry their children. But John was not fooled. Late one night, he left his bed and tiptoed into the living room. Once again his parents were huddled around the radio. Karel sat sullen and withdrawn in a chair. John bent closer so he could listen in on his parents’ conversation.
“Jews are trying to escape from countries all across Europe. But it’s becoming more and more difficult,” John’s mother said, to the radio boomed in the background.
“I can’t imagine leaving our home,” replied his father.
John’s mother continued, “In Germany, all Jewish passports have been stamped with the letter ‘J’ to prevent Jews from leaving for Switzerland. Those who can afford it have tried to obtain illegal passports and smuggle themselves to safer countries. Some lucky families have managed to escape to freedom this way. But many have been caught and sent back to their homes, or immediately put in prison and punished.”
“Well, we’ll be safe as long as we all stay here,” her husband assured her.
“These days, I’m not so sure. Perhaps we should think of escaping while we still have the chance. Many countries are not too eager to open up their borders to fleeing Jews. Just this past May, a ship called the S.S. St. Louis, with almost one thousand Jewish refugees on board, was turned away by both Cuba and the United States, and sent back to Europe. Who knows what will become of those families. We can’t ignore what is happening.”
“I’m not ignoring anything,” sighed John’s father. “I just think that we can’t rush into doing something extreme. I still believe we are safest here.”
John watched his parents, feeling torn apart by the suspense. Would they decide to leave their home? Did they really believe it was too dangerous to stay? His mother looked so sad, while his father tried, as always, to remain cheerful. Finally they sat up in their chairs and shook their heads. It was not necessary to run, surely. It couldn’t be.
Even so, John’s parents were stirred to do something they thought might be in their sons’ best interest. One night, they sat down with John and Karel to discuss the possibility of sending the boys away. “It’s impossible for your mother and me to leave our home,” said their father. “But perhaps we should send you somewhere until the trouble passes. There are transports of children leaving Europe for England, to stay with families who are willing to take them in. It is called the ‘Kindertransport.’”
“It will be better for you if you leave with the other children,” their mother added.
“But I don’t want to leave,” insisted John. “My friends are here, and you are here. I want to stay.”
His parents lowered their eyes. They didn’t want to send their young sons away, of course, but they desperately wanted to protect them. It was so hard to know the right thing to do. But before they could even begin to arrange for Karel and John to leave, the transports of children were stopped. The whole family was trapped, and surrounded by the war.
John was secretly relieved that he would not have to leave his home, and his friends and family. He and his parents never spoke about his leaving again.