Dorothy Kraus Memoir - Our Delayed Departure

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Dorothy Kraus Memoir

Our Delayed Departure
Mother delayed our departure to America due to the Jewish holiday of Shavuoth, which lasted five days. It was grandfather who urged her to do this, pleading with mother not to expose herself and her two children on such a dangerous jouryney accross the turbulent ocean during the holidays! All of our friends were of the same opinion. Why take the risk? Why tempt the malach amoves (the devil.) Wait another week and then fort gesuntereid (go in good health). So, mother gave in and we waited till the passing of Shavuoth, which was to prove a very unfortunate decision.

The Day of Our Departure
The day of our departure to the train was like a festival in the village. Mother rented a droshke (carriage) with a Polish driver. Mother was holding Miriam in her arms and I sat near the driver but I held on to her, scared to death. But I didn't cry. All our worldly good were placed behind us.

It seemed as if the whole village came out to bid us good-bye. Mother accumulated dozens of addresses of relatives, in America, to bring regards to. they wanted to shake mother's hand, many gave us advice and all kept repeating little blessings like “Zolst nor onkumen in America gesuntareid” (You should arrive in good health), they urged. “Shreib zu uns” (Write to us). “Fergess nisht uns” (Don't forget us). Everyone was envious of us. Going to America! The land of milk and honey and -- gold! If only they could go too.

Finally we managed to get on the train, loaded down with all our worldly possessions and with baskets of food for the entire journey to America! The man I was to call father held my hand but I tried to squirm out of his grip. Mother's eyes where constantly on me and I knew it meant a sharp pinch on my arm unless I behaved.

Editor's Notes: Malach amoves: Dorothy translates this Yiddish as the devil, but the angel of death would be a better rendering. During the inter-war period not so long after, it appears that Jews had a virtual monopoly of transporting people and their luggage to and from the Wysokie Litewskie railroad station, which was some 8 km distant from the town.

This material is from Original Page 15 and Original Page 16 .

Page Last Updated: 23-Oct-2012