Page 46 of The Righteous
“Okay,” Carl said, “That’s a great start.
Theresa and Julia, will you take a pack of letters to the synagogue tonight?
Theresa, have your father talk to Rabbi Levy and tell him what we are doing.
When and if the time comes, he can help distribute to Budapest families.
Right now, the SS is not operating in Budapest.”
“I will talk to Apa as soon as I get home. How do you want us to proceed with letters at the synagogue?”
“I think we should involve the rabbi. Invite each of the families, one at a time, into a private room and fill out the letter. Make sure that the letter is handed only to the head of the family. Tell him that he must keep it guarded and confidential. I’m sure he won’t argue about that.
Don’t do it in the middle of the hall or in front of other people; you never know who will be listening or who might report that it wasn’t issued by the embassy. ”
“But we are administrative assistants of the embassy. Aren’t we authorized to do this?” asked Theresa.
“You are, but let’s do it privately.”
“Carl is right,” Julia said. “What if Samu Stern is at the synagogue and he turns around and tells his buddy Eichmann? Eichmann could then tell all the SS guards to disregard the letters.”
“Samu Stern is not welcome at the synagogue anymore,” Theresa said. “Speaking of Stern, he said that shortly all Jews would be required to wear yellow stars on their outer clothing. If I have a Swiss letter of protection, am I required to wear a yellow star?”
“That’s a good question,” Carl said. “It has philosophical overtones. I suppose if you’re proud to be Jewish and you want to stand with your brethren, then you should wear the star.
If you trust the effectiveness of the letter of protection, you could wear the star and still be immune.
After all, there are Jews in Switzerland too.
I think that would be up to the wearer.”
Julia curled her lip. “I don’t think I would wear a star if I didn’t have to. The Nazis consider it a sign of discrimination. It invites an SS to stop and question you. Besides, a Swiss letter of protection should make the holder immune from local discriminatory laws.”
“I bet my father would wear one just to show solidarity,” said Theresa.
“All right, then let’s take a stack and pass them out tonight,” Carl said. “Now we have something else important to do today. Let me go and get Gertrud, and we will talk about real estate.”
AFTER A brEAK, Carl and Gertrud returned to room 217.
Julia, who had never met Gertrud, walked over and introduced herself.
She immediately conveyed how honored she was to be working with her.
Gertrud was an impressive woman. She was graceful and well dressed, and she projected a confident image.
There was an aura about her, a certain stateliness, that commanded respect.
Julia thought that upon seeing Carl and Gertrud together, one could easily mistake Gertrud for the vice consul.
Gertrud shook Julia’s hand. “I am honored to meet you, Julia. Carl has told me so much about you. To use his words, such a courageous, noble lady. I see you as one who is willing to put her life at risk and travel to the other side of the world to come to the aid of a tyrannized community.”
“You’re making me blush,” Julia said, “but I can say the same thing about you, for you are a Swiss lady and you are here in Hungary as well.”
Gertrud smiled. “Oh, I’m just the wife of a vice consul who tags along with her husband wherever he goes.” With that, Julia and Gertrud burst into laughter.
“It’s nice to see you again, Gertrud,” said Theresa. “I am so happy that we will be working together. I understand that you have been talking to real estate agencies about available properties.”
Gertrud opened her leather briefcase and took out a notebook. “This page has addresses of properties known to be on the market for sale, and on this page, these are vacant rentals.”
Theresa read the sheets and nodded. “I know where these listings are. Some are in pricey neighborhoods, and some are in industrial areas. From the listing, it appears that some are furnished. I would love to accompany you whenever you are available to go check them out.”
Gertrud smiled. “I have a car. If you are available, let’s go.”
“One question I have for you and Carl,” Julia asked. “How are the down payments or the first two months’ rental to be funded? I doubt very much if the refugees in the synagogue and on the streets of Budapest have brought very much money with them.”
“The embassy has an account, though it is limited. We are hoping that other sympathetic countries might be charitable. I know that Carl has a call into London.”
“That’s exactly why I asked,” Julia said.
“As you may know, Theresa and I are the appointed representatives of the US War Refugee Board. It is in the charter of the organization to aid refugees, especially in Europe. Perhaps your husband has alerted you to the WRB and the fact that it is associated with the US Treasury Department.”
Gertrud smiled. “He has.”
“Funding housing for homeless refugees fits right into the WRB purpose clause,” Julia continued.
“I will contact John Pehle as soon as I can. I will impress upon him the necessity for funds to acquire housing. Please let me know how much money is needed, and I will convey that to John. I talk to him every day.”
“It sounds like we have a plan,” Carl said.
“Gertrud and Theresa can go out to locate properties. And, Theresa, if you wouldn’t mind, can you contact your father to make arrangements to visit with Rabbi Levy?
In addition to involving him in the distribution of the letters, he may have an idea about the extent of the current housing needs.
Depending on what the rabbi says, my staff and I can start preparing letters tomorrow.
Gertrud will be drafting leases. We’ll meet back here at five o’clock tonight.
Martin can go with Julia. He has the use of an embassy car. ”
With that last remark, Theresa looked over at Julia, who was smiling. Theresa whispered, “Uh-oh.”