When you arrive in Ravensbrück, you are nearly dead from the horrid conditions in the cattle cars. Many others, in fact, have died. But you remember the example of Rabbi Baeck, and you are determined to survive.
You are assigned to the Malchow-Mecklenburg factory where you spend twelve hours each day making artillery shells for the German army. It saddens you to know that these munitions will be used to kill good people. You feel like a traitor; you do not know how to stop without being killed.
Some of the others in the underground bunkers where you work understand how you feel; they have the same attitude. Together, you find ways to sabotage the weapons — putting too little gunpowder in the shells, bending the timing devices, and making other tiny changes that will prevent the shells from striking their targets accurately. If you are caught, you will be shot, but the risk is worthwhile. It is your way of resisting the enemy, of fighting back. You are doing your share to help defeat Hitler.
When Germany surrenders, you are taken to the Displaced Persons camp at
Landsberg. There you learn to forge ration cards for Jewish survivors to
get badly needed extra food. Later, you move to Buenos Aires, Argentina,
where you establish an engraving business. You help found a congregation
with many survivors. The name you select for your congregation is
important to you: Lamrot Hakol,
In Spite of Everything. You will
always remain a faithful Jew.
END