I was number 8814
It really did happen.
Sometimes while watching a documentary about ancient history I see an archaeologist kneeling on dusty ground in a barren landscape, intent, patiently scraping rocks with a little trowel, gently brushing away the soil. I am fascinated by the tension.
I stay with the camera, waiting for that dramatic moment when a tangible object from the past is unveiled. I can identify with the excitement of discovery, following hours…days…years of patient searching.
This week I was swept up in the emotion of such a moment.
Dr Amy Williams, a Kindertransport expert, is a visiting scholar in Jerusalem at Yad Vashem even at this time of war.
Amy at the Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem
I was part of the Kindertransport, the epic rescue of approximately 10,000 Jewish children from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland received in Britain from December 1938 to the outbreak of WW2 in September 1939. (Limited rescue continued until 1940 www.britannica.com)
You could describe Amy as an archaeologist of the Kindertransport. Her latest sifting through the dust of the past has brought to light “artifacts” hidden for many years.
In the archives at Yad Vashem she has found the complete lists of all of us children who escaped Germany passing through Holland on our way to refuge in the UK.
That’s me number 8814 the last on the list.
(The names are covered while waiting permission for public posting).
I was born 18.2.32 in Bonn and my destination was London. Like some other children on the list, I had no sponsor.
But the story is still unfolding. Skillfully, using all the tools now available, Amy is bringing her discoveries to life by connecting survivors of the Kindertransport, their children and grandchildren!
Look again at the list, and see number 8795 above my number 8814.
Yesterday Amy invited me to join her and Bill Niven to meet two of number 8795’s sons. We shared our stories with each other on Zoom.
Entry Document for Doris Aronowitz | Kindertransport number 8795
Entry Document for Johanna Flora Zack, photo removed but it’s me.
Back of Entry Document. Doris and I arrived in Harwich on the same day, 26 July, 1939
Gradually my fellow traveller, Doris Aronowitz, became real as Chris and Richard, shared scraps of information and their store of photos.
Doris, in 1938
Sadly she died in 1992
I hang on to every word Chris and Richard share about their mother. There are so many unanswered questions.
Doris is no longer here. I cannot ask her how it was to leave her mother. Was she afraid as the train carried her away from everything secure and familiar? In England, did she find anyone who understood her, who really cared for her?
And I return to my own parting…. the train, the strangeness of England, the loneliness of those early days.
Amy asked me how I felt at the end of our conversation with Chris and Richard. Now, after 24 hours of reflection, the Hebrew word chesed comes to mind.
Chesed or Hesed means kindness or love between people.
Amy’s question takes me to the book of Psalms and I sit quieted by the Source of loving kindness.
My visa photo.
Such a moving story. Looking at your photo reminded me of my Mother Eve’s photo. She was a Kinder from Berlin . Her hair was cut in exactly the same style just before she left for London. I imagine that her parents thought her long hair would be a nuisance for her and her Foster family to maintain
How wonderful to hear about your mother Jayne, thank you for sharing your thoughts about the common haircuts.
Do you know Amy Williams? Perhaps you are already in contact but if not she is eager to hear from anyone with Kindertransport connections.
Hanukkah and Christmas greetings! Hanna
A wonderful blog and how amazing to hear another story of the same time, but not from my mum’s words.
The feeling of reality of what mum went through and not just a story she told, is now weird and is coming to life. I’m excited to hear and read more
So happy to read that your mother’s story is coming to life through the encounter with Doris’ sons. I’m still trying to grasp the significance of Amy Williams’ discovery of the lists.
Do you know her? I think she would love to connect with you. Peace at Hanukkah and Christmas, Hanna