The People of The Lodz Ghetto
Authors Note: In this book, “Yellow Star” by Jennifer Roy, a girl named Syvia has to live in the ghetto because she is a Jew. The Jews in the Lodz ghetto do not get treated very well. They have very little to eat, and an inadequate living space. Just keep in mind this is the late 1930’s.
Imagine yourself underground, in a dark, cold, hole in the cemetery. Not a very satisfying picture right? Well, Syvia has to hide that way when the Nazis come because she doesn’t want to be taken away by them. She has to hide because if you’re not an adult, or over the age of 14, you will be taken to the trains and be sent away to concentration camp. Overall, you absolutely do not want to live in the terrible Lodz Ghetto.
Because you won’t have that much to eat or drink, you don’t want to live in the Lodz ghetto. Also, you have to be constantly worrying if the Nazis are just going to show up at your house and take your children to the trains. By the little food, I meant that they only have bread to eat and sometimes vegetable soup. But only minute portions of it. You can also drink weak coffee which is really watery and awful tasting. Next, worrying is a dreadful pain that no human should have to feel just to live in their own home. The only worrying that a person should have is about these kids and how they have to live in such fear. Also, Syvia’s parents are very smart they can think of a plan to hide her in a safe place at night where the Nazis won’t find her, is beyond me.
“Dad, where are we going?” asks Syvia. “Just keep your head down, stay quiet, and follow me,” says Syvia’s Dad. That night, they had to hide in a dark, cold, and small hole in the cemetery just to sleep at night! I couldn’t stand that because, first of all my Dad snores, and also, I kick in my sleep. Secondly, I would be scared that the Nazis would find us at night at take me away to concentration camp. Syvia on the other hand, is a brave little girl who will do anything just to keep herself and her family safe, well as safe as she can, I mean she’s only 5 years old. I wish I could be like that and have the guts like her. Well not literally because they are most likely bruised now from the beating of one mean and sick Nazi.
All the kids that survived so far in the Ghetto were hiding in a cellar underground. The Nazis found out that they were hiding in there, and punished all the kids. One Nazi pulled Syvia while she was sleeping during the day, and kicked her brutally 3 times! Syvia flew to the ground crying from the pain and her family came to comfort her. If I were in this situation, I would probably scream for my Mom or Dad while he was kicking me or try to at least get some adult attention. After that, the Nazis walked away and the kids got to stay in the apartments with the adults. But, they only had cots to sleep on. Lastly, winter was coming and all the Jews in the ghetto are becoming colder and hungrier by the minute.
Remember that dark, cold, hole I mentioned earlier? Still not a great picture right? It’s probably even worse now that I informed you how they were being used. Now that you know some things about the Nazis and what they do to children, hopefully you learned some new things about the late 1930’s. In conclusion, if you are under the age of 14, or you’re a Jew, you for sure do NOT want to live in the awful Lodz ghetto.
