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During the Rise of the Nazis



My father has just left us for some other country. Our hearts are heavy today. If he is caught by the Germans he would be thrown in jail for being a socialist. My mother is sick and our family is all trying to take care of each other. It is getting very hard for my Grandmother to take care of Mum. I know I am not supposed to eavesdrop but, today I heard the two of them talk about taking me to an orphanage

Today it happened, I was taken to the Jewish orphanage. New laws were just made that prohibited Jews from attending public schools so, I will have to go to a Jewish school now. When I hugged my Mom for the last time, I could not will my body to let go. My Grandma had to pull me away after we said our goodbyes

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Life at the orphanage is fine albeit dreadful and melancholy without any friends or family. Most of the kids here are very young, it must be so hard for them to understand what's happening. My hope gets crushed time after time without cessation as does the dirt beneath the boots of the SS soldiers.

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Finally! Some good news. January 17, 1937 marks my last day of despair. I received a letter from my father today. After he left we had no means of communication, we did not even know where he would go. From his letter I found out he is working in Paris. And even better than that news, he wants me to come to Paris to live with him. This would mean leaving behind my Mom and Grandmother forever. I think reuniting with my Dad is worth losing the chance to see them again, sadly.

Well, I have arrived in Paris and what a joyful moment it was when my arms met my father's for the first time in years. Having someone I love again gives me a purpose in life, I want to cherish every moment with him. And some more great news, I can attend a training institute to become a mechanic. I won't make tons of money but, helping my Dad in any way I can is important to me.

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