As the Nazis make Jewish life in Vilna more and more unbearable, you feel that you have made the correct decision in choosing to flee from the city. Where to go, however, is not an easy matter, especially now that the German army controls all of Europe west and south of Lithuania.
On Shabbat afternoon between Minchah and Ma'ariv, you are studying with the other people in the synagogue. As you rhythmically recite the lines of the Gemara, a thought comes to you. Generations of Jews, when they were confused or had a question, sought the advice of their Rabbi. You will do the same.
After Havdalah, you knock on the door of the Amshenover Rebbe's home. Rabbi Shimon Kalisch is a well-respected religious leader; he will be able to tell you what to do.
When Rabbi Kalisch informs you that he, too, is prepared to leave, you are further convinced that this is the right course. The rabbi tells you that he has been able to secure several transit visas to travel through Russia and Japan on the way to Curaçao. You don't even know where Curaçao is, but he tells you that it is one of the few places that does not require an entry visa and is, therefore, still open to refugee Jews. The Japanese consul, Senpo Sugihara, violated instructions by issuing the visas, but they are perfectly legal. Rabbi Kalisch invites you to go with him, and you accept. You gather up your few belongings and meet him and his family at the train station the next morning.