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Now, you will learn whether or not you have survived from your last activity. While I pass out the envelopes, I want you to think about this banner and what it means. The words say, “Never Forget” in 18 different languages. The pictures are of people who have perished in the Holocaust.

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Now that you have learned the danger and struggles that people looking for shelter faced, it is time to literally listen to their thoughts. I kept my diary from when I was younger, and I want to read you 3 entries that I made.

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Where was I in my story? Ah, yes….the soldier was just about to enter the attic. He sees my brother and pulls out his bayonet. “No, no, no…” I whisper, scared for him and wondering if I am about to lose another precious family member. The soldier presses it to my brother’s throat. “What are you doing?” He says in harsh German. “I'm sleeping,” my brother replies in Polish. The farmer says, “Oh yes, yes, he's sleeping!” And without another word, the soldier turns on his heel and walks away. Wait…..were we saved again? That was too close, I think to myself. We meet up with Mort and my father. Father says he has a place for us to hide. He takes us to a farm where we hide in the fields. I could hear father speaking with someone, but I couldn't see anything. The only phrase I caught was, “...shall build the tunnel…at night.” He came back and told us to wait, and our hiding place would be done in a week. So over the course of the week, we watched them dig from between the stalks of grain. At the end of the week, my father said, “It's done.” We eagerly went to explore the hiding place. However, there wasn't much to explore. It was a simple hole in the floor of the barn, covered by boards and straw and horse manure. It was disgusting and filthy, as it was made of dirt. It was barely 3 by 4 by 4. “Father? Please tell me this isn't our hiding place.” I said. “Sorry Aviva, but this is where we live now.” Disappointed and shocked, I descended into the hole along with the rest of my family. We were there for 29 months, with nothing to do but talk. We talked and talked about…well, nothing. There was nothing to talk about. The farmer, Yignatz would slide food in to us. Water, soup, bread. We had a pail to use the restroom. I was bored out of my mind and I do not understand much of what really happened. We lived in fear of the soldiers. We were only let out every 3-4 days. There was one tiny crack of light. Every once in awhile, Yignatz would ask for money. Father didn't have it, so he had to journey to get it. I feared for him whenever he went out, as it was very dangerous. He went to my uncle's hiding place and received money. Both of my uncles were there. One day, my father went for money and found that one uncle was gone. He asked where, and the other one told him he had gone to join the resistance movement, blowing up German trucks and tanks. One day, my father returned from a visit with some meat. He took it down into the hole with us. But one day, when the Germans came to search the area, their  dogs smelled the meat and started to bark. Would you believe that a cat saved us? That cat may have saved us. The cat jumped out, and the Germans thought the dogs were only barking at the cat, not the meat. The next day, Yignatz came. This time, he wanted money and proof that my uncles were alive. My father came back with money but no proof. Soon, he discovered that the farmer was feeding us arsenic a bit at a time. You may know that arsenic is rat poison which causes death if you ingest too much. We were all getting weaker and weaker. My father asked him why he was doing this…..and Yignatz said we were putting him and his family in danger. The next time my father journeyed out, he brought back our uncle working for the resistance. He had on a smartly pressed uniform, with weapons galore. Yignatz apologized and stopped poisoning us. Spring of 1945, we started hearing thunder. That’s strange, I thought to myself. We barely heard storms. Then, I saw the looks on my parents faces and knew the truth- we were being bombed. This continued on for several weeks.(details)  One day, at around 1 in the morning, my uncle showed up. He stood at the mouth of the cave in his uniform with a stern face on. “You are free.” I could not believe it. Two and a half years stuck in a hole, and we were free. We rejoiced. We left immediately and went to Lubin to get an apartment. When my father decided to take a train to Posin, a big city, we gave all of the things in our apartment to Yignatz. He had tons of stuff! We decided to go to Berlin. By now, there were no more borders. Germany was losing, and everyone was fleeing -  there was mass pandemonium. Trains were the form of transportation. We got to Berlin, and we met some Russian soldiers. They asked us what had happened, and we told them our story. Everyone wept for us. We crossed to the American side of Berlin, and they sent us to Munich. There, we stayed in a hall until we were taken to a displaced person camp. We stayed there for several years because we had to apply twice to get to America on a boat (once, Julius got sick). Eventually, someone in Joplin, Missouri agreed to sponsor us. We took a ship along the southern route of the Atlantic. However, once we got there, we received news that our sponsor had pulled out. On the bright side, there was a small town called Joliet in Illinois that wanted to sponsor a family. We chose there because our choices were either here or New York, and we thought that we would be better off. Getting used to American life and culture was hard. We had to learn a whole new language. People started as we did totally normal things, but they clearly thought it was odd. There was new food. New friends. New customs. New everything. However, everyone was kind, and I picked up English quickly. I really enjoy life here.
(Break Character) Now, I am going to tell you something you may or may not believe. First though, a question. How many of you thought that was a real story? Well, you were right. Just maybe not the story you imagined. Everything I just told you is a true or adapted version of a very special story to me. What you just heard was an account of my family history. All of those events truly occurred. The entire Taitelbaum family- Julius, Morton, Faigen, John- they all suffered through the pain. So if the Holocaust and WWII ever seem far away, just remember- a living result of the pain and need to flee is standing right in front of you. One last thing I want to teach you before I sit back down. Three simple, Polish words. Nigdy nie zapomnę- now repeat. You all just said something powerful- those words mean I shall never forget. I know that I shall never forget about this tragedy. Nor should you. That is one promise I must and will make. Thank you.

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My story begins in the small village of Markushif, Poland. I am 12 years old at the time, and I have one brother who was 5. His name is Julius. My family, the Taitelbaums, is happy as can be, living in our community. Our rabbi is a great man, and we have a large Jewish population- about 600. My father owns a wholesale market, buying and selling fruits and veggies. There are no restaurants in Poland, so everyone buys groceries like this to cook. Consequently, my father has a very good business selling crops like that. We all live on one main street for the most part. Life was good, very, very good- ………(pause 25 seconds) until the Nazis came. Suddenly…., my whole world …...is turned ...upside down. Bombs are dropping- the sound of thunder could wake the dead, malicious fire turns everything to ashes. (Brain). We flee to a barn where we stay for a short while. My father attempts to rebuild our house. Soon, we realize what is happening- the Germans are killing Jews, trying to destroy a civilization. We know that it is no longer safe for people like us- Jews, that is. My father knows that we will be safe for the time being in Zablocha, our summer home. And then our neighbors tell us the Nazis have been coming to neighborhoods to arrest Jewish families. We know it is no longer safe for us to stay. The Germans are rounding people up left and right. Think about your family. Would you want to be separated from them? We….we did not. However, At this point, my father had been made to work on the streets by the Germans. Then, one day, while he was at work they came and they loaded  us on a disgusting brown wagon. I am so terrified at this point that I feel numb. We were forced to  watch in horror as our aunt was taken in a separate direction than her child. She is screaming and screaming. Then…. the most horrible thing….the Germans shot her in the street. She is gone. Just. Like. That. We are being taken away. I cry, but my mother shushes me (mimic) . We are saved by coincidence. You see, …… the wagon had stopped by my father. So…. Quickly we sneak off and hide. Our family gets into groups and runs from field to field to evade Germans. My brother Julius and I go with my mother, while my newborn brother Morton goes with Father. Julius is very sick(tell more). . We stay hidden in a field(for how long. --- description?????  Once again…. Polish boys discover us. I fear them because they do not seem kind, but they say they will offer help…..- for money. My mother knew that the Germans were coming, so she regretfully agreed. They take us to a farmer. He shoves us in the attic and gives us a blanket.( was that all??  Describe conditions)I try to tend to my brother as best I can, and as I do, I wonder what will happen?  My life has been turned upside down. My family is being forced away like a criminal and forced to hide. We are not cowards,  but they have gave us no choice. It seems as if the very foundations of life are crumbling. My brother falls asleep, but as soon as he does, I hear Germans knocking on the wooden door of the house.  I panic and dive behind a box. However, what would my brother do? I try to get up, but the soldier says, “What was that noise ?” All I can do is hope and pray that he thinks it was nothing and leaves. I hear the farmer making all kinds of excuses, but the soldier says, “I must search your attic.” I whimper in fear, but keep absolutely silent as the soldier enters the attic. ……………..

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You see, for those in hiding, we tried to help out others in hiding any way we could. Now, you have become people in hiding, and I will teach you the ways of survival.

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Now that you have filled out your new identity, you must move. It is no longer safe where you live. You must find where you will move to and choose a family to live with. These choices can determine whether you live or die, so choose wisely.

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Dear diary,

Today I received some bad news. Or, at least my parents did. I kind of overheard. Okay, eavesdropped. Anyway, we heard that the Nazi army is invading Poland. My parents were shocked. I've heard rumors at school and things, but I never imagined that they would invade here. We're such a happy community! Our Rabbi, (a leader of prayer) is so nice! We are such a tight community here in Markuszów (Poland). What would happen to us if the Nazis came? Would we be taken away? We're Jewish, so maybe. I'm so worried. Oh, what will become of me?!
Dear diary,

I am writing this in secret. I am in hiding, waiting and waiting. We are on a farm. The Nazis have come for us, and I am afraid. Although, I suppose that's what led the Nazis to get this far- fear. There have been bombings. I haven't seen the sun for a week, and I fear that I never will again. I fear that they will force us to wear armbands, like tags on pigs’ ears. That is beneath my dignity! My parents tell me that we are safe from all that here, but there is nothing to do, and I am bored out of my mind! I miss playing with my friends and going outside. Mother suggested schoolwork, like other children in hiding that we knew did, but I could see no reason for me to go back to doing something I hated just because I was bored. I hope we won't have to stay here much longer. The people who hid us are kind, but my parents whisper to each other in the night when they think we're asleep that there is always danger lurking, even when we think we're safe. I heard them talking last night. They said that we aren't paying yet but we will soon, and that the others are. I don't completely understand that. Who are the others? Are they paying in money? I am confused and afraid. Will there ever be answers to the questions floating around my head? Well, I really must go. Mother is calling. Bye for now.

Dear diary,

We have moved.We are now located in our summer home.  I am scared that we shall never return home. I must write quickly, for we are packing our things. Father says it is no longer safe here, but it’s no longer safe anywhere. I must go until next time.

Dear diary,

I am very scared. For the past few weeks, my mother, brother and I have been running from field to field, avoiding Germans. I miss simple joys of my life before, like talking with my friends, or helping my mother cook. I never realized how much I took them for granted. Now, running through the fields, I cannot help but think that I have been far too selfish. Whenever I would see a lonely child crying, I would shy away because I didn't want to be involved in their problem. After all, it wasn't me. Now I feel terrible about that- because that child is me. Every night, I hear my mother crying herself to sleep. When will it end? I hear her whisper at night. I ask myself the same thing, and of all the things I lack right now- food, shelter, happiness- I feel that the thing I have the least of is answers.

Dear diary,

Today, father came with news. I do not know whether it is good or bad. He told us he found a place to survive. I think that I should be happy, but what does it really mean? Risking our lives once again, living with a stranger, being bored? What is there to be joyful about? All I have done for weeks is suffer, and I do not wish to do it anymore. I fear that this pain has made me bitter, though. I hate Germans. Though I know it is not all of them, cannot help but hate the people that have destroyed all that I have. I do not want to hate, as it is not wise, and it is what Germans do. It is hard to. Oh! Germans...

Dear diary,

I silently watch father from between the stalks of grain every day, trying not to make a sound. Mother told me not to, but that is why I do it. I can't help feeling a little rebellious, given that my days consist of oppression and fear. I can see them building something- I don't know what yet. It appears as if they are digging. I wonder what has happened to my friends. What are they doing right now? Are they even alive? Yet again, I am left with far too many unanswered questions.

Dear diary,

Father and the man finished what they were working on. It appears to be a large hole, and I sincerely hope that it is not where we shall be living for the next few weeks. However, mother says that we will live wherever there is since the war will not last. I hope that she is right! I miss my friends. I even miss the fights that I used to have with my brother. Now that I think about it, they are precious memories. We may not even make it through the war. I don't fight him anymore because we are all so solemn that I cannot bear to say a disrespectful word to anyone. I know I should not, but sometimes I wish I was German. I wish I wasn't Jewish. After all, then this wouldn't be happening. Oh goodness, why are we even here? If we only murder and kill our fellow humans, what is our purpose? I am sure that it is not to hurt our own kind, even if we insist that they are not our own. It's not like we haven't heard the rumors of the so called, “subhumans”. Let me just speak for all Jews- we are not subhumans! We are just like everyone else- only people make us the scapegoats of everything. I will admit it- I am angry. Mother says not to blame them for being human, fearing. But we are human too.

Dear diary,

We are in that hole. The hole is disgusting! I absolutely hate it. I hate those Germans, too! They are the ones who forced us in here! Oh, I'm so sorry. I don't know what has come over me, but I feel ready to take down every German. Perhaps it is this cave fever. I feel that father has dug our grave. I will die here, not having done anything for the past year of our lives! We have been here for only weeks, yet I feel that I am already dying. Teenagers should not be cooped up with their families for weeks on end. It is bad for my mental health. Ohhhhhhhhh…… I cannot stand the crying of my brother Morton any more! Ahhhhhh……….

Dear diary,

I do not know what I should do. I fear that the very foundations of my life are shaking, causing everything around me to crumble. Lately, I feel as if I am standing in the pile of rubble that is left over. Sometimes, I wish that the Germans would just discover us. It would end my suffering in this miserable cave. My family talks all the time, as there is nothing else for us to do. It doesn't sound all that bad, just talking, but it is torture. We talk about nothing. There is nothing to talk about! We are stuck in a cave. What could there possibly be to do in a cave? I feel as if I am losing everything precious….love….sanity….but most of all, the truth about what is happening.

Dear diary,

I apologize for not writing for so long. There was nothing to do! Nothing to write about. Now though, the farmer, Yignatz, has asked for proof that my uncles are alive! My father told him last time he asked for money that my uncles have it. He now has to go out and get proof of the fact that they are alive. I worrying for him every time he leaves. It is so dangerous, and I fear that he may never come back. Mother begs him not to go, but he says he must. I cannot help but cry to myself every night, wondering how much longer we must suffer. At this point, freedom would be a gift. The mere sight of my old home, free of Nazis would be the most wonderful thing in the world. I fear that all other nations are somewhat drunk on freedom. They no
longer have to worry about others as long as they are free. Yet the rest of us pray at night that they will come save us….

Dear diary,

Father came back! We are rejoicing. However, he only brought news. No proof. We are all scared of what Yignatz might do. On an unrelated topic, I feel that I have been growing weaker and weaker lately. Perhaps it is just being in this miserable hole. When will this end?

Dear diary,

It turns out the pains were related after all! Yignatz has been poisoning us with arsenic! Father discovered this because none of us were feeling well. He asked Yignatz why. We don't know the answer yet. I wonder why we must live in fear while the Germans live a life of luxury. Maybe they are right, maybe we are lesser. I think these thoughts to myself, and I know they aren't true. That's what I hate about this hole. There is too much time to think.

Dear diary,

My uncle came today! He is a part of the Resistance, as we discovered. He came to our hole, all dressed up in his uniform, with shiny badges and gleaming guns. He brought supplies and things, and Yignatz apologized. However, he left too soon and now we are stuck in this miserable hole once again. I no longer know how long we have been in here. It has been too long, that is all I know.

Dear diary,

I heard some strange noises today. It sounded a lot like thunder. My parents just looked at each other when it started, and then I knew. It wasn't thunder. It was bombs. I don't know if this is good or bad. Should I be happy that we are being rescued? Or should I be scared? I think that I should be happy because it means I can get out of this hole, but I don't know what awaits me. Germans? Allies? Soviets? Are the Allies and Soviets the same as the Germans? Do they hate us too? Oh, all I want is to be out of this hole!

Dear diary,

Freedom! I can taste the sweetness of it on my tongue once again! Of course, nothing is the same as before, but at least we are free. My father said that we were in that hole 29 months! 29! I cannot believe that we survived. I have to say, when my uncle, the one in the Resistance, came and stood at the mouth of our cave and said, “You're free,” I could not believe it. It sounded far too good to be true. Free, after 29 months in a hole? Really? It was the best moment of my life though. I don't know what would have happened to us if we were caught or did not go into hiding. I don't think I want to find out. So for this, I am grateful. Now, father says that we are going to America. America! Such a beautiful name for a beautiful country. Fitting, really. I am scared, though. What is America like? I cannot speak this…. Eenglish? That is my best try at spelling it. At least we will be free though. Mother says it is the land of the free and the home of the brave. I truly hope so.

Dear diary,

We are in a refugee camp run by Americans. We are applying to go to America. As we passed through Berlin on our train, some kind Russian soldiers gave us food and comfort. They asked us what had happened to us, and as we told them, they started to cry. They wept for us, and I'll admit, I wept a little, too. The camp is okay, I guess. It's far better than the hole at least. However, all there is to do here is wait. Wait and wait. We have food and the ability to play, but that doesn't make life any better. Nothing can cover the fact that we are all just standing here, waiting for this tragedy to disappear.

Dear diary,

We have been accepted into America! I am overjoyed. It took us two tries, since my brother Julius got sick. Oh! Mother is calling! I must board my ship to freedom.

Dear diary,

I cannot believe it. I simply cannot. We came to America on a ship through the Southern Route (father's words). I really don't know what that is. But that is besides the point. We got to America, I saw the shoreline, and I cried out with joy. It was so beautiful! Then though, an official looking man came and told my father our sponsor pulled out. Father explained it like this, in a calm voice that he used when he was very angry- “Children, we have arrived in America, as you know. Now, we had a very kind man who agreed to help us get to America and take us in. However, he has decided that he….doesn't want to help anymore. Your mother and I are deciding what to do.” I heard father's hushed discussion with mother later that night. Father said there was a place called New...Yorc? York? Something. He said we could go there. Then mother asked if there was anywhere else in a desperate voice. Father said there was one other place called….Jolee-et? Oh, I am no good at spelling these American words! They are spelled so oddly! Mother said she would take that. Father hesitated, then said okay rather reluctantly. I no longer know where we are going, whether it is Jopleen Missoree, where we were supposed to go, or someplace else. I was so excited to come here, but now I am so unsure of what comes next.

Dear diary,

We are in this place, Joliet. Father told me how to spell it. It is wonderful here! Everyone is so kind. I think I'm getting the hang of English! Did I use that right? The hang of English? Anyway, life is so much better here. I never wish to go back to Poland in that hole, but sometimes I miss home just a little. Father says this is our home now, and I know he's trying to forget it, but you can't erase memories. Not ones like this. And I know, for as long as I live, I shall not forget. That's a promise that I can make. Forever. With absolute certainty. I shall always, always remember.

I shall never forget.

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Now, you all have learned about what hiding was like in the Holocaust. I expect that you have also learned exactly how close this tragedy actually is to you. And finally, I want you to raise your right hand repeat after me: I shall never forget. You have all repeated after me and you did make a promise. So I expect you to keep that promise as the next generation so history does not repeat itself. Thank you.

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Luke:

Luke is an 11 year old boy living in Kobylniki, Poland, and he is Jewish. His mother and father have just received news that the Nazis are invading Poland and are nearing his hometown. One night, they discuss plans to hide him. The next day, his mother tells him that he will go to live with his second cousin. However, just as she gets to the part about his identity being changed, he hears voices outside screaming. Not a moment too soon, father shoves him in the secret hiding place he created. Luke waits there a long time, like they told him to. However, after six hours, his legs are very cramped. He gets out, but his parents are gone. Everything else is also gone. All he knows is that he must travel to his cousin, 10 miles down the road. He makes it there safely, but he is traumatized. His cousin says they have no idea what his identity was supposed to be. He now has to make up a new identity to go into hiding.

People:
• Will
• Alex
• James
• Gleb

Samuel:

Samuel is a Jewish 14 year old boy living in Panketal, Germany. The Nazi Party has seized control, and he sees the racial laws they have put in place. There is talk of placing him in hiding, and he agrees. His parents place him in an abandoned barn to hide. His cousins live nearby, and they supply him with food and water. However, one day, he is wandering around the barn and a soldier sees him. He knows that it's too late to run, so he stands up to face him. The soldier speaks to him in German. He says, “Boy, what are you doing here?” He doesn't know what to say. He stutters, and then realizes that he must change his name and everything about him when talking to this soldier. He must now create an alternate identity to fool the soldier.

People:
• Rithvik
• Carver
• Aidan
• Matt
• Jack

Samantha:

Samantha is an 8 year old Gypsy girl living in Weesow, Germany. Her parents have passed away, and she now lives with her grandparents. Neither of them are Gypsies, but since she is one, she is in danger. The Nazis are taking control, and her grandparents want to disguise her. She spends a few months successfully living as a Catholic girl, but one day, the Nazis come for her. Her grandparents shove her in a cabinet, tell her not to make a sound, and shut the door. She can hear shouting in German, but can't see a thing. Finally, her grandma opens the door. Her face is bleeding, and Samantha is scared and confused. She doesn't see her grandpa anywhere. Her grandma urgently tells her to run to a house down the road and tell them she is someone else, not Samantha. She starts to run, but she must make up an identity in order to stay hidden.

People:
• Raksha
• Jordan
• Ela
• Dana
• Abby

Riley:

Riley is 13 year old Jewish girl living in Popowo, Poland. Her village has a large Jewish population, and she has just received word that Nazis are invading. Everyone has heard the rumors of unfair laws created in Germany, and her parents are nervous. On the day that the Nazis invade, her parents make up their mind- she will travel to Paris, France by train with her younger sister to live with your grandparents. She goes to the station hurriedly, but in the midst of all the chaos, she loses your little sister. She never sees her again. Devastated and with no other choice, she boards the train. She reaches Paris, but her grandparents say you will have to change your identity in order to live with them. Now, she must make up a totally different identity.

People:
• Natalie
• Cecelia
• Lorelei
• Ria
• Avery

Name: _________________
Age: ____
Religion: ____________
Nationality: ____________
Location/Address: _______________________
Citizen:   Yes   No
Gender:   Male   Female
Eye color: _________
Hair color: _________
Parent #1: ___________________
Parent #2: ___________________
Special features: _________________________

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Hello. My name is Aviva Taitelbaum.
Cześć. Nazywam się Aviva Taitelbaum .
Chesh-ch Naziwam sheh

How are you?
Jak się masz?
Yak sheh mahsh

Oh! I apologize. I should probably speak to you in your own language, English. That was just a bit of my native tongue, Polish. I am here today to talk to you about my story, what happened to me in the Holocaust. I want to teach you something before I start, though. We have a saying, us Jews that were in hiding.
Mogą one przybierać nasze głosy , ale nigdy nie można przyjąć, że myśli!
Mogo Ona pshbeayrahck Nashe gwosih aleh neegde nee mojna pshrionje je mishli
Now repeat it. Good job! This saying means they may take our voices, but they can never take our thoughts! This means that no matter how many restrictions the Nazis or anyone else put on us, they will never control how we think. I want you to keep that in mind as you journey back to the devastation of WWII with me.