In only 3 months time, the course of history would now be changed forever. Hitler had set into motion the monstrous murdering political machine that would roll through more that 17 countries or territories and by some estimates, eventually claim over 70 million human lives (6 million of which were Jews), in a world war that lasted for 6 years.
For the rest of the year and into 1934, the antisemitic discrimination and bigotry escalated. Books by Jewish authors and those that didn't support the Nazi ideology were burned. Jewish businesses were boycotted, land ownership rights taken away, and national health insurance denied. Employment for Jews was not available and they were banned from civil service, the judicial system, from contributing to the Arts of literature, theater, and music. Citizenships were revoked and denied.
An ideal standard for an Aryan race was defined and taught in schools. Children began to feel restrictions in the public school system. Jewish children had to sit in the back of the classroom and were subjected to verbal and physical abuse by the teachers and classmates. Textbooks were rewritten to indoctrinate the Nazi ideology and attack the Jewish religion and culture. (illustration from children's primer, the sign reads 'Jews not wanted here)
Bund Deutscher Mädel or BDM, The League of German Girls in Hitler Youth, became wildly popular and attracted a mass following. Other youth organizations were suspended unless they integrated into the organization. Although special groups for Jewish youth were still tolerated.
Lore remembers....
Those years were always overshadowed with the uncertainty of our future. We sensed that the day was not too distant that we would be informed that we were no longer welcome at school. It was a thought both painful and yet at the same time promising relief from the constant uncertainty of 'what to do?' The common greeting of "Gutten morgan" or "Gutten tag" ( Good morning or Good evening), had been replaced with "Heil Hitler!" - which Jews were not supposed to say. For the weekly assembly , our classmates appeared in their Hitler Youth BDM uniforms. We Jewish girls stood out, marked in the class of about 40, only 2 of us were Jews. Jews were no longer allowed to share the 2 seat desk with a non Jew. All kinds of rules which I don't recall, came to be enforced. My classmates made believe they did not know me
And so, the young teen found some relief from these very difficult times by playing sports....
To me those few hours on the sports field were the high point of the week, for a short while I would forget the everpresent slogans "Deutschland erwache! Wir mussen die Juden ausrotten!"
("Wake up Germany! We must exterminate the Jews!")
I wore no sign identifying me as a jew, but I was afraid to be outdoors by myself.
Jewish households were no longer allowed to employ non Jewish female help or any sleep over maids. This meant our housekeeper walked 40 minutes door to door. I was the first one up in the morning to get milk and rolls, made coffee, and carried my sandwiches to school for the midmorning break and came back home by 1:15 for the midday meal.... the main meal of the day. Then back at school by 3pm for non- academic subjects, such as gym, needlework, art, drawing, and painting.
It was after Kristallnacht in 1938, that wearing the yellow Star of David, sewn to the front and back of clothing, became mandatory for Jews.
Upon the death of German President von Hindenburg in August, 1934, Hitler now became Fuhrer...approved by a 90% electorate vote. Manipulating laws and making amendments insured that he could not be removed from office.
The fate of Germany was sealed.
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