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A memoir of the Holocaust
By Jacob Zylberman
The online version
© Copyright 1995, 2000, Jack Zylberman
A state is born
On April 25, 1945, the Charter of the United Nations was drafted in San Francisco, California. In 1947 the U.N. voted in favor of partitioning Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish entity. … Finally, on May 14, 1948, the state of Israel was proclaimed. Israel was reborn.
For the first time in two thousand years Jews regained sovereignty – Jerusalem, the city of David, waited with open arms, inviting all Jews, not next year but right now, today.
The Rheinsburghstrasse was filled to capacity; scores of banners adorned the buildings. Men, women, with children on their shoulders, marched, sang the "Hatikvah."
The celebrants were drunk with victory – yet totally unaware of the formidable threat, the imminent danger.
The next day the fledgling state was attacked by five Arab neighbors, their aim to strangle her at birth.
"They have done it again," cried Gershon, shaking his head. "Those protectors, humanitarians of the august body finally accomplished a deed long overdue; a perfect solution hoping to satisfy everyone but first and foremost themselves.
"They competed for Israel’s recognition and their little shoeshine boys dragged along.
"The American government was among the first, primarily to pacify the guilt-ridden Jewish constituents, at the same time slapping down an embargo, placating the appetite of the Rankins, McCormicks, the Coughlins, and their ilk, killing two birds with one stone.
"And the English. Oh yes, them gentlemen in white gloves, cold-blooded limeys who promised us a homeland, like thieves sneaking out in the middle of the night left their weapons as a going away present to the Arabs, hinting slyly. …
"‘Now go ahead, finish them off, no one will be here to stop you. Our best officers had trained you, and still supervise you. Now, do it. … This is your chance.’
"The others, to forget the past, to wash off their bloody filthy hands, anxious to clean the messy D.P. camps, were glad to get rid of us also.
"They provided the sick with a bed, but left them with no medicine, too weak to resist the upcoming crisis.
"‘You are on your own,’ they declared, knowing full well they were throwing us to the wolves, millions of Arabs with sabres in their hands anxious to deliver the fatal blow. Nomads, having little love for their own – but when referred to the Jews, ‘Israelis,’ that like a spell unites them, each outshouting the other, calling for a holy war, a ‘Jihad.’
"Thus the decision of the U.N. was a brilliant idea, a stroke of genius, those diplomats full of joy, beaming, ready to sell their soul for a barrel of oil, finally to get rid of the pestilence, eternal burden – rehearsing prearranged eulogies, stealthily deferrring their crocodile tears, though in full knowledge of the inevitable.
"But a phenomenon contrary to their expectations took them by surprise, deviating from their master plan. Something was amiss. Their devious policies backfired.
"The unprecedented turn of events made them wince, turn in their beds, unable to sleep, a shocking disappointing trick of the unmitigated Jewish ‘Chutzpah.’
"Imagine, that little Jew, so-called (‘Yoyne Carabine’) was actually fighting, refusing to be liquidated anymore, determined to stay on, against all odds.
"That daring insolence was against all logic, leaving the politicians in disarray, in search of a new strategy.
"Furthermore, here come the Russians, the protectors of the underdog, having a plan of their own, silently advising one of their satellites to sell arms to the Israelis, moreover sending over Jewish freedom fighters.
"Setting their plan in motion to infiltrate the Middle East, create a fifth column, annex the region, the most vital spot in the world – thus fulfilling their goal, a dream going back to Peter the Great.
"Israel’s existence is threatened – they will accept help from anybody, even from the devil himself.
"Thus the unbelievable happened, little David turned into a modern Maccabean, causing the petty representatives of the United Nations a shocking letdown.
"Dismayed at the turn of events, they hastily dispatched an emissary to Tel-Aviv pleading for an armistice.
"If one considers this a victory, it is only temporary, no cause to celebrate. Israel cannot afford many victories, it might turn disastrous (Pyrrhic).
"What Israel needs is peace. Only genuine peace can be the catalyst in that volatile area of the globe.
"That is the situation today."
"Gershon, don’t be so pessimistic," Shumacher said. "If the history of our people had been like you say, we would have been extinct milleniums ago.
"In the darkest moments of our existence we were alone, vastly outnumbered, vis-a-vis the most virulent enemies, dedicated to eradicating us, but we are here.
"In all of our suffering there was always a shiny ray breaking through the darkness, a stubborn trust, an invisible glue holding us together.
"But the events of the recent past had changed the outlook of many, myself included, that whatever faith I had in mankind crumbled, and the last vestiges of hope vanished, tumbled. It fell so deep, that it’ll take a miracle to restore it – and I don’t believe in miracles.
"So let me tell you my philosophy of life. No one can alter the wheels of fortune. I don’t look too far ahead, so let’s take one day at a time, enjoy it in full.
"And tomorrow we will continue anew – although inwardly I have to concur with you. The experience of the past makes me shiver, the future doesn’t look too rosy, therefore I would not dare to make any predictions.
"This I leave to Yankele, our romantic friend, what he thinks the world has in store for us."
"My dear friends, what can I add? After all it was said, no one can deny its pertinence, to say that everything is just copacetic – an understatement for us in general and Israel in particular. Long discussion, speeches will do no good, questions not to be answered that easily. There are no easy solutions simply because there are no easy problems. Hence I cannot fool myself, and certainly not you.
"As for my sunny outlook, it has changed drastically, it took a beating, blackened my eyes, blurred my vision.
"There was a time when my dreams were limitless, trust in God, visions of boundless wonders. A kaleidoscope of colors, changes of nature accompanied by glorious music, a breathtaking symphony of sound and beauty.
"Like an eagle soaring to witness wonders, miracles of creation. The harmony, peace and tranquility, changing of the seasons. Spring with its blinding lightning, deafening thunder, grass, a luscious carpet as far as the eye can see, flowers competing with the rainbow, their scent titillating. Four-legged creatures pursuing nature, keeping the equilibrium, a perfect balance known only to them.
"Summer the great provider, tall stalks of corn, wheat rustling in a gentle breeze. Green waters of the rushing brook, high waves of the deep ocean, and the sun, the great ball of fire, essence of life itself.
"Autumn in all its glory, the changing of color and its texture, the harvest of yielding fruit, products of human toil and sweat, the rustle of leaves in the golden sunset.
"And winter, the last of the everlasting cycle. Solitude of the snow-covered mountain peaks, a splendid white panorama on a weary earth, myriads of diamonds illuminating.
"With my wings wide open I soared above great forests, green valleys in the blueness of the sky, escaping the pull of gravity, and it felt good; but like all good things, this also came to an end. My wings got burned, my feathers singed, I fell down to earth, to reality, smack on my face.
"There, the heirs of the world, greedy inhabitants took the law into their hands, twisting it to their immoral whims, their sinister desires. Nations, their treasures wasted, chose war, hastening the fiery explosion of this planet.
"It might take a year or two, twenty, fifty; time is relative. There are still many degenerates, lunatics, their itchy fingers plotting, scheming, waiting for the right moment to push the button.
"In this particular instance it is even more pronounced. Civilization took a traumatic beating, and we were the ones who suffered the most, let’s not forget it. If nothing else, let it be a reminder, a warning of the human folly, its inept behavior – and dire consequences.
"Wasn’t it Santayana who said so eloquently, ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’?
"But there are two vital facts I want to add, not only can I predict, but I know.
"If the Jews were given the opportunity, they’ll expose to the world, nullify the myth, bigoted prejudice, the lie.
"That the children of Jacob are just as able to mind their own business, that the Israelis who carry his name can master their own destiny, and as anyone else can run a country in order and discipline. That the money changers, who never were given credit for doing so, saved many a country, and their farmers who were never allowed to till the earth, can produce – make the desert bloom, architects and engineers can create, enrich the world, and their soldiers, just as efficient.
"Never again will they be the laughingstock, scapegoats sacrificed on the altars of infamous sites and camps. Never again will they become martyrs, chosen to lay down their lives on ‘Kidush Hashem.’
"If ever again the threat of being annihilated occurs, they will not succumb that willingly.
"As of Israel one has to be reminded of the betrayed Samson at the pillars of the pagan temple, his last words:
"Tumis Nafshyi im Pylishtim"
"As with Samson, if Israel has to die she will take the enemy with her."
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