Page 40 of The Righteous
“If we decide to follow advice, as we should,” Alana said, throwing a stern look in Sammy’s direction, “how will the people be informed?”
“There are those who have the authority, the influence, and the ability to bring people out of Hungary in large numbers. There are rescue groups. We are working on forming connections with those rescue groups right now. We have been given names, and we will be in touch with them.”
“Benjamin, you are familiar with Carl Lutz. He’s one of them,” Julia added.
“He has the authority of the Swiss government to issue Swiss letters of protection now that there is evidence that Operation Reinhard is commencing. They provide immunity from arrest and deportation. Each one of you must carry such a letter at all times. Theresa and I will get one for each of you as soon as possible. Then, if you are stopped by SS or Gestapo, the letters should protect you.”
“One of the reasons we asked Anya to hold this dinner,” said Theresa, “was to talk to all of you, and especially Sammy, the proud papa-to-be. It was also to ask Sammy how to get in touch with Joel Brand, who has some experience in rescue operations. Can you arrange a meeting, Sammy?”
Sammy was sitting with his arm around Alana’s shoulders.
He was still blushing. He didn’t expect Alana’s news to come out so soon and so bluntly.
After all, they weren’t even married yet.
The wedding was sup posed to occur in June.
He answered, “You want a meeting with Joel? If he’s in town, I’m sure I can do it. What should I tell him?”
“You may pass along the news we have shared tonight, and tell him we would like to meet with the Aid and Rescue Committee,” Theresa said. “Our contacts in the US and Switzerland would like to work with them. Can you set up an appointment?”
Sammy nodded. “I’ll try to contact him first thing tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Theresa said. “Do any of you have any questions of Julia or me?”
“Well, I do,” Benjamin said. “How certain are you, Carl, and the War Refugee Board that this Nazi operation is truly going to happen in Budapest? I haven’t seen any arrests or other restrictive measures. Not any new ones anyway.”
“Apa!” Theresa snapped. “Stop it. You are denying what’s in front of your face. You sound like Solomon. You are waiting for evidence that your neighborhood is under siege. When that evidence comes, it will be too late. You will be taken. We need to do something before that happens.”
“All we are asking is that you prepare,” said Julia. “Get ready to leave on a moment’s notice, and when the time is right, when we get the rescue agencies lined up, you will be ready to join them. It won’t happen tomorrow, but soon.”
“I have a question,” said Aunt Pearl. “I live in the country, four miles from the city of Orztov. Just like this Marta Gross woman that Becca told us about. You said people from the countryside are being moved to the city, and from there, who knows? Do you think it is safe for me to go home?”
“Aunt Pearl,” Benjamin said, “I’m sure that you—”
“Benjamin!” Pearl snapped. “I’m not asking you. I’m talking to your daughter. Theresa, is it safe for me to go home?”
“The truth is, I don’t know,” Theresa said. “I don’t know where the SS squads are operating at this time or where they are going next.”
“If what happened to Marta Gross’s family is now happening in other rural areas all at once, like it did in Holland, then you are not safe,” said Julia. “In that case, you should not go home.”
Pearl closed her eyes, and tears began to fall. “What am I to do?”
“You can stay right here,” Greta said, “and move into the extra bedroom.”
“Greta, I appreciate your offer, but how can I do that? All my clothes are at home, my medicine, my makeup. What about Althea? She’s in my house right now. What happens if I don’t come home? I love that dog. I can’t leave her.”
“I’ll drive you home, Pearl,” said Benjamin. “We can pick up all your clothes and medicine and bring them back here.”
Pearl said, “What about Althea?”
Benjamin had a question in his eyes, and he wavered back and forth. He turned to his wife, who returned a look with a firm nod and said, “You’d better get her too.”
“Hold on a minute,” Julia said. “That’s awfully sweet of you, Apa, but if it’s not safe for Aunt Pearl, then it’s not safe for you either.
If they’re herding Jews from the countryside into the cities at this time, then it’s just as dangerous for you to go there.
You don’t have a Swiss letter of protection.
But I do. I’ll go to Aunt Pearl’s and pick up her things.
And Althea too. Just give me a list and the keys to the car and front door and I’m on my way. ”
“Nope,” said Theresa firmly. “That won’t work.
You don’t know your way around Hungary. How are you going to find her house?
And if you were stopped by some SS guard who shouted at you, would you understand him?
Could you offer a reasonable excuse why you were in the country and not in Budapest?
Nope, nope, and nope. I will go instead. ”
“And if you’re going alone, who’s going to collect all the clothes and things, and who’s going to watch Althea?” said Julia. “You’d have to do it all by yourself.”
“We’ll go together,” Theresa agreed. “It will be quicker.”