The Horse Adjutant the long hours required of the trade, for little or no money, just to learn something use- ful. By the time he turned 20, and his apprenticeship was over, he moved to Krynica, started his own business as a fine tailor, and had a girlfriend. It seemed he was well on his way to a successful career. One bright fall day, everything changed. I was just about to turn 13. This was the year I was studying the Torah for my Bar Mitzvah. I found my Jewish studies as tedious as I did my ordinary schoolwork. Perhaps, I would have appreciated both more fully had I any indication that very soon education would be denied to me. The war between Germany and Poland arrived as an announcement by my father, “We must pack. We are leaving our home immediately and moving to Papa Joe’s farm.” Soon after we were packed and on the road. The roads were dusty and chaotic. I saw many people with a look of panic in their eyes. Entire families passed by us with horses and carriages some shouting ominous stories of rape and killing. Most were headed east, towards Russia. Only the roads in the towns were finished all the other roads between towns were just dirt. Within the next 30 days, World War II was in full swing, and Poland became ground zero for the initial German attack. Once we were out of harm’s way, at the farm, my fa- ther left to report to his unit in the Polish cavalry. When he left, we settled in quickly at the farm. My mom was a full nine months pregnant. The apples on the trees were still green. It would not be until late October, or early November when they would ripen. Shortly after we moved in, the Jewish holidays were upon us. To pay homage to the holiday, I remember going with my grandfather, just the two of us alone, to a neigh- boring community. We did this so he could pray with his friends. But, I’m sure they also spoke about the foreboding future. Since he lived in the countryside, there was no temple for prayer. Instead, we went to a friend’s home, where we met the other country people. I barely remember our stay with my grandfather because it was so brief. What I do remember, however, was seeing all of my mom’s family. If I had known this would be the last time I would ever see them, I am not sure if I would have acted differently.
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