Introducing Joseph Heinrich

Joseph’s family was a Jewish, middle class family, living in Frankfort am Main, Germany.  He had 9 siblings. When he was just 13 years old, four of his siblings had allready left for Palestine.

It was November 9, 1938 and Joseph stood in his house and watched from a window as the synagogue across the street burned. Eventually people barged into his house and smashed everything in site.  Joseph tried to get the cops but they ignored the 14 year old.  Joseph and his family then took a cab to his Aunt’s house. The next day the German police came to their door looking to arrest Josephs uncle. When Josephs Father wouldn’t let them, they arrested him too.

 Josephs father must have been a very brave man, he probably knew that he was going to get arrested but he stood up for his brother- in law anyway.

Then, on the 15th of November Joseph and his two siblings, Asher and Lorle were sent to Holland by his mother with 25 other children  put together by some Jewish women.

When he arrived at the Dutch border, a couple of German officers put them in a room with no toilet or any other essentials.

They were told they were not allowed to cry. I’m not sure how I would have held up in his position. They must have been in that tiny room for at least six hour’s.

 they did not leave that room until they were put on another train.

Then they crossed the border into Holland where they were greeted by a committee waiting there for them.  

                              To be continued…