Shayna's Diary

Chapter 5

We stayed with the Rousseau's for about a month and a half before we were able to find a ship that would take us to America. The captain, we learned was friendly with Jews and was helping them escape. Not wanting to be separated, the Rousseau's decided to join us on our journey. It was a good idea considering they were also Jewish and France would possibly not stay safe for very long. It was a Monday afternoon when we boarded the ship. The sun had begun to set and it was very cold. We were not alone in the ship. Other Jewish men and women were also on board, all trying to find safety and a place to rest without fear of being caught. Nate and I sat closely together, sharing a blanket in order to keep warm. Our parents and siblings followed suite and began talking with the other passengers.

Not long after the ship set sail I got on my knees and crossed myself before urgently praying for our safety. The others seeing what I was doing followed suite. We kept our voices low in order not to alert anyone of our presence in case there were Nazi supporters on board. I am not sure what happened next because the next thing I knew I was being shaken awake by Nate. "Look out that window." He said. I groggily stood and followed him to a window. Looking out my heart was filled with joy when I saw land. We had finally reached our freedom. Marni joined us and we all watched as we gradually got closer to the land of the free. I went back to sit with my mother and father and hugged Tamar. We all rejoiced in happiness but it didn't last long. Tears had started streaming down our faces in silent mourning for those who were lost.

We got off the ship around morning. We were in a state called New York. We were greeted by my aunt Sarah Bloomfield, her husband Isaac and their son John. They took us to their home in the northern section of the city far away from traffic and people. There we told our story. The next morning we were informed that the death rate had risen since we left France. More and more people were dying and nobody was doing anything. I decided that I would write about our days in a tiny notebook. Someday, someone else will read my story and they will know of what was really going on in Germany. Even if most don't believe, this person will believe. In the case that someone says this disaster was beneficial for Germany, I want to tell them through my written words, that killing anyone in order to get "perfect people" or because of a false accusation is not beneficial to anyone, not even the killers.