'Das Haus' the House and the Son of the Rabbi. Sean Ryan Stuart

Niedergeyer Goldmann, Esther June 21^st, 1924 Niedergeyer Goldmann, Sarah June 13^th, 1883 Kerpen Goldmann, David Franz October 25^th, 1879 Niedergeyer Hirschfeld, Thomas November 3^rd, 1899 Weilerwist Hirschfeld, Johanna January 23^rd, 1904 Niedergeyer Hirschfeld, Elsa May 1^st, 1923 Niedergeyer Hirschfeld, Samuel June 12^th, 1924 Niedergeyer Hirschfeld, Rosanna June 12^th, 1924 Nierdergeyer Luegen, Melanie July 16, 1889 Niedergeyer Luegen, Lothar September 2^nd, 1887 Dueren Luegen, Abraham October 3^rd, 1918 Kreuzau Luegen, Martha April 2^nd, 1920 Nideggen Luegen, Heinrich May 8^th, 1921 Kreuzau Meyers, Fritz August 1^st, 1881 Soller Meyers, Lisalotte February 28^th, 1889 Niedergeyer Meyers, David May 21^st, 1909 Guerzenich Meyers, Claudia May 7^th, 1911 Guerzennich Schmitz-Perlmann, Franz August 6^th, 1915 Kreuzau Schmitz-Perlmann, Kate September 1^st, 1917 Dueren Waltmann, Samuel June 4^th, 1888 Kerpen

       (Please note: These are not the real names of those sent away to the concentration camps.)

      Krieger screamed in rage as he saw Franz’s name on the list.

      “How could you put your own name down, after I offered to help you? Don’t you want to stay?” Asked Krieger in a more relaxed tone?

      “Well actually, I do not want to stay if my family leaves tomorrow. I would have nothing to look forward to. Life would be meaningless without them. I have made up my mind, I wish to go with them, and that is final!” Stated a determined Rabbi Goldmann.

      “Well I am sorry you feel that way, but I must keep you here at gun point if necessary. I need you to stay and take care of the remaining fifteen. Who are either too old or too young. Higher headquarters has not decided yet what to do with you guys yet?” Krieger stated, as he looked Franz in the eyes.

      “Jews, Jews, Jews you mean! Don’t you?” Screamed an irate and out of control Rabbi Goldmann. Krieger was caught by surprise. He did not expect Franz to react so forcefully. He took a few seconds to reflect upon this outburst of emotion.

      “Yes Franz, Jews! You must face your circumstances and learn to cope with it. Tomorrow morning at seven a.m., I will be here with a squad of soldiers and I will transport those folks on the list to the train station in Dueren. From then on I relinquish all control to higher headquarters. They will be transported to Koeln, Frankfurt, Munich and then on to Buchenwald concentration camp. Some may be sent to other locations, but I have no control or knowledge of their final destination. I pray to God that all goes well for your family, but I am merely an expediter.” Stated Krieger turning away from his old comrade in arms and walking towards the front door.

      When Krieger reached the hallway, he turned around once more and stated. “Franz, don’t forget to tell everyone to bring on bag and one bag only! Anything more will be thrown away. Also remind them, that everyone will be thoroughly searched upon departure and arrival at their respective camps. Thoroughly searched!” Stated Krieger as he stepped through the front door.

      The moment Krieger left the house, Franz Goldmann was overwhelmed with strong feelings and emotions. He slowly started to cry, and his body began to shake uncontrollably. Within seconds, his wife, children and the rest of the inhabitants of Das Haus surrounded him. All of them were severely distraught by his obvious loss of emotional control. His wife Sarah approached him and slowly spoke to him.

      “What is wrong Franz? What is wrong Franz? Why are you crying.” She asked, tenderly holding his shaking hands in hers.

      “It’s tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow!” Replied Franz, his body shaking like a leaf in a hurricane.