Criminal Democracy

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Criminal Democracy

By Arie Livne, Al Birch

Chapter 1-Life before the storm

1. Aaron passed away

It was a cold winter in Krakow in1935. The streets were covered with snow, which did not stop falling for a few days. The city looked beautiful with the white cover, so innocent and pure. However, it made life harder. Heating of houses cost a fortune. The traffic was slow. On cold winter days people dressed warmly in thick layers of clothing.

Aaron was heading to his store in the middle of the old city. It was a beautiful part of the city that was built hundreds of years ago. The major streets were connected to the old central square, the largest in Europe. The streets were narrow and busy, and people were rushing to work or to open their stores. The Jewish quarter was nearby and pious Jews were dressed with black clothes and big hats were rushing to their occupation. The Jewish culture in Krakow was lively; there were many Jewish institutions - many of them for community help. Jews were well integrated in Polish culture. There were about 40,000 Jews in Krakow.

The store was of medium size and sold building materials. He was in business for a few years and provided decent support for the family. Competition was stiff, but with a good customer service, discounts on a variety of products, and a central location, it was doing well. Aaron opened the store, put products to the display in the front window and put outside in front of the store a few inviting signs. Ready for the first customer of the day, he turned on the radio, as he did every day. There was a lot going on in the world. The US had been in a depression for a long time and no end was in sight. Millions of people waited in long lines for a bowl of warm soup and a modest meal. In Europe, inflation was high. The neighboring Germany had a new power that was rising fast. The Nazis had consolidated their power with terrifying speed and won the majority vote of the people in democratic elections. Hitler had become a rising star in Germany, delivering speeches to huge, enthusiastic crowds with a screaming voice. He seemed to solve Germany’s economic problems; unemployment was on the decline. Many new jobs were created with the rising defense industries and the building of a huge army. And there was the Jewish issue.

For some reason he thought that the Jews were the cause of all the problems in the world. Well, Aaron thought silently, this happens in Germany and it is really far away. It is not a Polish problem; my family has lived comfortably in Krakow for hundreds of years. Besides, other countries, like France and England, are on top of it and will control the situation, if needed. For Aaron, opening the shop was a routine, a day in and a day out.

Life went smoothly. The three sons that Aaron had were busy with their own life. Naor, the older son, was married and working for the city and the two others were attending the university. Joel and Jacob wanted to be attorneys. His wife, Judy, was a housewife. After raising three children, she finally had some time for herself. Every Friday they had a festive meal, before the Shabbat. Judy had to prepare all of it and it was quite a job for so many people. First, all the ingredients had to be purchased in the Jewish kosher market. They had to be kosher, since Aaron was a Rabbi. Then the shopping bags were carried to the third floor and still there was a long way until the delicious meal was ready. It was a warm Jewish home. Aaron spoke to his family in Yiddish and they replied in Polish. He was an orthodox Jew. His wife Judith, a conservative Jew, was open to the Polish culture.

One day a client wanted to buy a piece of wood. It had to be cut into two pieces. While cutting the wood, Aaron injured his finger. It was a small cut and he did not pay much attention to it. It happened to him many times in the past. He cleaned it with alcohol and soon he forgot about it. A few days later he noticed that his finger had become swollen and the area around the cut became darker, almost black. Judy worried, this time it looked more serious than other times. Aaron went to the doctor. The remedy was to clean it with alcohol and to put the finger in salty water for hours. After a week, Aaron felt weak, so much so that at the Friday evening Shabbat dinner he decided to talk about it.

I am glad that we are blessed to sit together today and to eat this wonderful meal that Mom prepared. Thanks God and bless him. I know that we are all busy and we are so happy that we all find the time to get together. As you know, I recently injured myself with a minor cut in my finger that developed into a serious injury. My work in the store requires using my hands and I am limited because of this injury. I will appreciate some help until I recover. I wonder who could help me.

Naor was the first to reply, Dad, as you know, I am working in the statistics department of the city and I cannot leave my job. If I will start missing days, they might fire me. You know that they are not enthusiastic to employ Jews and they will not hesitate to fire me. Esther is pregnant with our third child and I cannot afford losing a job now. I am sorry that I cannot be of much help; however I will help during the holidays.

Joel, sitting next to Naor, spoke next. I am busy with my studies in the university. I am now in the third year of law school. Studies are demanding, and I love it. Next year will be even harder. I can come every day for a few hours for a limited time, until Dad recovers.

The last one to speak was Jacob, the youngest. I was just accepted to law school at the university. It was very hard to get in as a Jew because of the quota system. The studies will be demanding. I can try helping in the store and studying at the same time. I believe that I can make it.

They all spoke. Jacob and Joel showed willingness to help a few hours a day. Aaron thought I will get some help and teach them the business. Meanwhile, Judy became more and more worried about her husband.

The work in the store was not for everyone. The clients came occasionally and there was spare time that one had to fill by occupying himself in cleaning, by making inventory and by ordering goods from suppliers. Besides, the products had to be adjusted according to the season. Each season had its products. In the winter there was a demand for plastic sheets, tar to seal the water leaks, salt to melt the snow and sacks. Besides, one had to feel the client. From some clients you could make an extra profit. But if you picked the wrong client, it could turn out to be an unpleasant experience.

Joel seemed fit for the job from the first day. The clients liked him, and he knew how to push extra products. Jacob was slower to learn, but he did his best. Aaron was resting most of the time and instructing Joel and Jacob where to find the products, and from which suppliers to buy various products. He also knew the clients that always tried to shoplift. He cut them short fast. But Aaron could not come to the store for long hours. He became weaker by the day, and soon he was confined to bed. Joel and Jacob had to make an important decision. Should they close the store or should they postpone their studies for a while? Judy was dependent on the income from the store.

Joel did not have much choice, the reality dictated his actions. He was the merchant in the family. Joel made a career change and became a merchant. He hoped that one day he would go back to his law studies. Jacob decided to attend the law school and help as he could.

After a week, Aaron died, succumbing to the infection in his finger. There was no cure for such a simple wound. The whole world turned around for the family. Naor could not help. Besides, his wife was pregnant and he had to help more at home. Jacob and Joel step in and managed the store. Joel quitted his studies. Jacob did his best sharing his time between school and work. Mom was lonely and needed support. She could not sustain herself and the boys had to step up.

Joel’s parents with Jacob-1931

Main Square in Krakow

The Wawel, the Royal Palace in Krakow

Krakow, the Main Square and St Mary’s Church

Street performers in the central square in Krakow

Renovated Synagogue in Krakow-year 2000

2. Joel meets Zocha

Within a short time, Joel felt comfortable in his new occupation. As time passed, he liked his job more and more. Most important, he supported his family and life continued as they knew it. Nevertheless, they all missed Aaron deeply.

One day a beautiful woman came to the store to buy paint. Her beauty was striking, and drew Joel’s attention immediately. She was tall and slim, her hair was brown and curly, and she had big brown eyes. Her name was Zocha; she was in her early twenties and was a student at the university. She noticed how the young salesman looked at her and she too was attracted to him. After a few days, she stopped by the shop again to buy other products that she even did not need. It was an excuse to meet the young salesman that could not take his eyes off her. She wanted to be sure that her attraction to him was real. Joel noticed her immediately, and approached her. He knew that he had to make a move, and understood that her visit to the store was an excuse to meet him. He asked for her name. They started small talk, and he learned that she lived not far away. Before long, Joel invited her to the movies.

Joel was not tall, about 5"1’, with brown hair, slim and liked to dance and to tell jokes; he was social and had a big circle of friends, most of them students. He was enthusiastic for his date. He noticed that she lived in the Jewish Quarter, and assumed that she was Jewish, like he was. It was important for him to date Jewish girls.

Zocha’s beauty was exceptional. He decided to be careful with her and not to scare her away. He put on his nicest clothes for the date. Zocha was dressed with a black dress that showed her nice figure, and everyone turned his head to look at her. Joel decided to be a few minutes late, to mask his enthusiasm. When he knocked at her door she was ready to go.

Joel complimented, You look so beautiful, I am so fortunate that you agreed to go on a date with me. Well, she replied I checked out on you and people say good things about you, so I’m giving you a chance.

The movie theater was half empty. Before the movie there was a short presentation about international affairs. Again, the rise of the Nazis in Germany was the main presentation. They said that Hitler was a successful German chancellor, and it looked as if he had an absolute control over Germany. They saw the parade of thousands of soldiers that marched in a perfect order and saluted the chancellor. Again, Hitler attacked the Jews. Now they were not only talking about Jews, but they took actions by imposing restrictions, especially in commerce. Jews were not allowed to work in certain professions and were not allowed to work in government jobs. Jews were forced to live only within their communities and could not date Gentiles.

In their thoughts, Joel and Zocha lived in denial. But all this happened in a different country, far away. In Poland, the Jews enjoyed a rich cultural life, and even with some anti-Semitism, life was comfortable. Yet Joel felt pity for the German Jews.

The movie was a love story, in black and white and silent. They enjoyed it. On the way home Zocha said, Love stories are always the same, with happy endings. I wish that life would be like that. If I were her in the movie I would not forgive him for what he did. What do you think?

Well, guys make mistakes and everyone deserves a second chance. If couples are too strict with each other, their marriage would not last long. Besides I am more bothered with the rise of the Nazism in Germany, it seems that they will take over Europe.

I believe that this is a German problem, they will not dare to attack other countries. If they do, they will not have much chance with France and England against them. They will come to their senses and stop this hostile politics.

Let’s hope that you are right, he replied. History shows that Germany was an aggressive country. Let’s not spoil our evening because of politics. I had a lovely time and looking forward to meeting you again soon. When do you have an evening for me?

I have a few exams this week and I must study hard. I must get top scores if I want a career. Next Friday looks good to me.

Do you have brothers or sisters?

No, I am an only daughter and maybe a bit spoiled; my parents did everything they could to provide me with anything that I wanted. I am so lucky to have such parents. Every year we go on vacation and our preferred part is the south, the ski resorts. We have been renting a room from the same family for over ten years, and we are almost like a family to them. I am afraid that they are anti-Semitic but they behave properly when we are there.

We are three children in the family and I am the middle one. I keep the Jewish tradition and go to the synagogue every week. I learned to ski many years ago when I was in a ski camp. I love to ski and I go with friends from time to time, during the holidays. It seems that we both enjoy skiing. Let’s take a ski vacation together!

They continued talking about their past and their experiences. Joel learned that Zocha came from a middle class family. Poland was the only country she knew, and for which she had a deep, patriotic love. She loved to travel and mostly to the ski resorts in the south, near the Slovak country.

She looked Jewish with her brown hair and brown eyes. Her appearance invited anti-Semite remarks from time to time, but it did not bother her much. She ignored these remarks. Her family had lived in Poland for generations, over 120 years, and these remarks had always been an unfortunate part of life. Jews learned to endure it; besides, most of the time was spent with Jews at Jewish events.

They met the next week. They both were busy, Zocha with her studies and Joel with the shop. The Christmas holidays were the next month and the store would be closed for a few days. At their next meeting, they discussed a closer relationship. Zocha came with the following idea: We are already dating a couple of months, we should spend more time together so that we will know each other better. Joel replied: this is a lovely idea. The shop will be closed for a few days during the holidays and we can take the opportunity to travel out of the city.

I like the Tatar Mountains in the south. I skied there a few times and I loved it. The slopes are wonderful, especially in Zakopane. This area is known all over Europe for its breathtaking ski slopes and various national ski competitions. You can find nice small restaurants and a small market with arts and crafts. Have you ever been there?

I have been there a few times and loved it. I can arrange the travel and the hotel. I know a nice house there where we can find rooms to rent. I stayed there a few times and enjoyed it. They serve also a delicious breakfast.

It sounds good to me. It will be nice if a few friends will join us too. I can invite a few.

So they decided to go to Zakopane for a ski vacation. Joel would take care of the details. It would be a well-deserved and relaxing time and also an opportunity to know each other better. The feedback that they got from their friends and families about each other was good. Besides, the Jewish community was small and one had to compromise a little bit when considering a partner. The choices of young men and women were limited and the good ones were taken fast.

They met their Jewish friends in the synagogue on the Shabbat and asked them if they would join them for a ski vacation, to which they enthusiastically agreed. Their Gentile friends were also happy to join them. Soon they set a date and booked a room