Joel's Journeys

"My ancient book holds the key too many adventures we are going to take. Each story tells of how children heroically overcame great obstacles. They used courage, imagination, endurance, hope, love and faith during their struggles. The story I am about to tell you comes from the diaries and journal writings of a young Jewish boy named David, and this is his story," emphasized Mr. Walt.

"We can learn from hearing about the Holocaust and understand about oppression and inequality. We can try and understand why it took place. Who was responsible and how did they conduct this terrible affliction? What can we do to prevent this from happening again? It is the responsibility of the older generation to teach the younger generation our failures and successes. The Holocaust can show us how people were faced with unsurmountable trials but through it all the ones that survived learned to go on with their lives. We can make a difference in this world by learning from other people's mistakes. God does not want us to suffer, but evil does exist. God did not promise we would not have pain and suffering but He did promise to love us not matter what happens. I can stop here or continue. I promise you will hear good stories from David but also bad. Hearing these stories will raise questions you will have about humanity and current events. I would not tell you this story if I did not believe it should be told," said Mr. Walt.

Excerpts from David's journal:

May 14, 1940- Dear Friend,

Their Panzers managed to break through the British and French defenses. These monstrous creatures of steel and iron, roam our countryside gazing with its horned one eye to devour its prey. They creep their way into our cities. How I hate the look of these massive creatures, the so called pride of the German army.

May (I think) 1944- Dear Friend,

These past few months I barely remember what happens from day to day. Life has become a senseless existence. I had almost forgotten about you my dear friend. It was while I was searching for my shoe that I happened to find you, hidden among clumps of dirt and dust. But I can tell you what happened to me yesterday, because I almost got shot. Happy to report I am okay my friend, but it was a close call. There have been rumors that more and more prisoners have tried to escape. So the guards decided to give many of us a good scare. While we were doing our daily work, of building the crates, several of the SS officers came and called out our numbers one by one. We have no names here only numbers tattooed on our arms. We were ordered to line up in single file. The officers were screaming at us calling us names. After all of the numbers had been called, orders were given to keep walking until we were told to stop. Before we realized it, we had marched out of the camp and into the forest. A truck had stopped in front of our line, and guards starting throwing shovels on the ground. At once an SS officer started screaming orders for us to start digging, dig, dig, and dig. Each man was to dig a trench six foot long and four feet wide. We were given no water, no food, but lashes with the whip if anyone stopped to take a rest. Finally, after digging for several hours, the guards ordered for us to stop, throw our shovels aside and climb in the holes. One of the prisoners starting screaming, "Oh God they have taken us here to dig our own graves!" Many other prisoners were shouting words I could not understand and some were even saying prayers in Yiddish. I could have sworn I too also whispered the words God please help us. The SS officers started to scream at us to shut up. After a few moments all you could hear was crying from the prisoners and laughing from the guards. With the only strength we had left, we all climbed into our graves. Abruptly, shots were heard from all over. I closed my eyes hoping that the end would come quickly. For a solid five minutes we heard shot after shot being fired. I suddenly realized that I was still standing in my own grave. Taking a risk, I opened my eyes and looked around. To my surprise not one of us prisoners had been shot. Every unfortunate beggar was still standing in our unmarked graves. The head SS officer screamed to us to jump out of the graves, that this was a warning and next time anyone tries to escape, everyone will be shot and these are the graves in which we will be buried. Beyond doubt we had all been spared. For a brief moment I felt like falling down on my knees and thanking God.