You leave the Saint Louis at the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. At first, you are terribly confused: you don't speak the language; you are not familiar with the city; you have no friends. You lean back against a trash container and wonder how you will be able to survive.
After what seems like a long time, you notice an elderly store owner struggling to carry boxes out to the trash. You walk over. Since you can't speak Dutch, you signal that you want to help. He understands and willingly accepts your assistance. Afterwards, he takes you inside and gives you a meal of herring, onions, freshly baked bread, and a glass of beer.
The conversation is limited until you notice a familiar title on his
bookshelf. On the spine are the Hebrew letters
סִדּוּר spelling siddur,
a prayer book. You know
that you are in the shop of a fellow Jew, and you begin speaking Yiddish.
Mr. Goudsmit gives you a job and a place to sleep in the back of the
store. You work hard and save your money to buy a boat ticket to America.
Just when you are ready to depart, news reaches you of the conditions of the Jews in Poland under the Nazi occupation. Hearing stories of beatings and murders, you are desperately concerned about your family in Cracow. Now you must make a difficult decision: you can leave for America or stay in Holland where you may be able to help your family.
If you decide to continue to America, continue to page 60.
If you choose to stay in Holland, continue to page 61.