Our Mantra
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PHOTO PROMPT © Marie Gail Stratford
Please be respectful to your readers and keep your stories to 100 words. Thank you.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
FOR THE DEAD AND THE LIVING, WE MUST BEAR WITNESS *
I remember it like it was yesterday—November 9, 1963 in Chicago, my father took me downtown to celebrate my 10th birthday.
His German accent sounded like music. “Vhere shall ve go, schatzi?”
“The Art Institute.”
I skipped along the sidewalk, holding his hand. He stopped and went to his knees in front of a synagogue. Slipping off his hat, he covered his face. The sun limned his blond waves.
“What’s wrong, Vati?”
“Meine Schande. Those magnificent windows—shattered! 25 years ago today. Schweinehund! Jewish businesses—destroyed! What did I do? Die Nill! I—I stood by and did nothing.”
*Quote from Elie Wiesel
79 years ago this week.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
For evil to triumph it is enough that good people do nothing, as they say. That’s still a message we need to hear today. Good one, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
It is indeed the message. Fear motivates us to do nothing, doesn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This genuinely had me eager for every next word. Nicely done.
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Thank you for such a fantastic compliment, Peter. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It must have been hard to have survived to feel the guilt of inaction. At the time the fear must have been immense. Well told story Rochelle.
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Dear Irene,
In my mind, this poor man was too young to have done anything at the time. He just knew it was wrong. Still the guilt has been handed down from generation to generation. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A powerful and heartfelt tribute to a terrible time in history, Rochelle. Good writing. —- Suzanne
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Thank you for your kind words, Suzanne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another of your stories with a thought-provoking message. Excellent Rochelle.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Many thanks, Keith.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So many people stood by and did nothing. That message can never be hammered home enough. Excellent reminder.
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Dear Sandra,
I wonder what would’ve happened had the German people stood against the Nazi regime? Alas, the unsung heroes who did suffered the same fate as the persecuted. 😦 Nonetheless…Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A reminder of the freedoms we enjoy today and what had to be sacrificed to ensure we still can enjoy them. Well done.
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Dear Iain,
These days I feel our freedoms are tenuous at best. I don’t like the feeling. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think there might be people asking the same thing about us… so many doing nothing… so easy to be just a bystanders.
To be complicit by complacency…
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Dear Björn
We do live in interesting times, don’t we? Thank for the read and the comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Krystallnacht. What an awful night, the demarkation between civilization and savagery. Well told. I think it’s funny that you look at Bloomingdales and think of smashing windows, though.;-)
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Dear Josh,
What can I say? I didn’t even notice it was Bloomingdale’s. 🙄 Horrible time to remember. I honestly didn’t realize this was the anniversary week when my mind went to the incident. Go figure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You vividly brought out the horrific history of our times.
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Thank you, Dahlia.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wasn’t born yet during all this, but this is all very real to me. WWII was my dad’s war, and I almost feel as if I lived it. Horrible, horrible. Fear often paralyzes us.
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Dear Linda.
I’m a baby boomer, too. 😉 As a young Jewish girl who was 10 in 1963, the shadow of the Holocaust loomed over me like an ever present cloud. My dad also fought in WWII…against the Japanese. Fear does paralyze. Thank you.
Shalom
Rochelle
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I was 10 in 1957, didn’t really understand the impact fully until I read and studied more about it in high school. Even then, the mind is just boggled by the evil that held Europe in thrall for so long.
My dad was also In the South Pacific, submarine in the navy. He was in Tokyo Bay when the treaty was signed. Too far away to see anything, but he was there 🙂
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Excellent reminder of what Robert Burns described as “Man’s inhumanity to man”.
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Dear CE,
And for centuries his words have fallen on deaf ears and we continue to repeat history. Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s virtually impossible to know how we would’ve reacted in the same situation. Powerful writing, Rochelle.
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Dear Magarisa,
I suspect this man was too young to have done much of anything. Perhaps a child or even a teen trapped in the Hitler Youth organization. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another powerful story, Rochelle. Although I know the history, watching that video is so heartbreaking. And then there are people who don’t understand why everyone gets so upset when troops of torch bearing (unprintable word) parade through places like Charlottesville chanting hateful slogans…
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Dear Trent,
It is chilling to see hate groups in the US. It’s terrifying to see Antisemitism on the rise or just good old bigotry and hatred against those who are different. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree, it is very scary. I won’t make political statements, but it seems since the election a year ago it has gotten worse.
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Well said, moving, thought-provoking. The anger boiling in the heart of man must find an outlet — as we are seeing more and more these days. The lot of the German people was desperate; Hitler offered them someone to blame it all on.
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Dear Christine,
What a pity that people require a scapegoat. The spirit if Amalek is a live and well. Thank you for your kind words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Kristallnacht. I wonder when I’ll get up the nerve to write about the Holocaust? I have only once I think, and that was for a “Pegman” story.
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Dear James,
I’ve written many Holocaust stories in my five years with Friday Fictioneers. When the muse points that direction, there I go. 😉 When I saw the buildings in the photo, my mind went to Kristallnacht. At that point I didn’t realize that this week is the anniversary. I don’t believe in coincidence. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was a horrible time in history. Good story about how doing nothing can lead to such destruction. Never forget. Always be prepared.
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Dear Jan,
And in this case, not being able to do anything caused immense guilt. Thank you m’luv.
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Dear Rochelle,
How you do this is still beyond me. You take a subject and turn it into a fabulous (no matter how difficult the subject) story that we can all understand and learn from. Beautifully done, my friend. Watching that video was an added bang.
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Such a head-turning comment. Thank you, my friend. The video was an eye opener for me. I wasn’t aware of the catalyst for Kristallnacht. They don’t say what happened to the young man, but I don’t guess it takes a rocket scientist to figure it out. Thanks again.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sadly, you’re right…
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This is a powerful write and illuminating for someone like me, who wasn’t aware of this part of the history. Masterfully done!
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Dear Lavanya,
Your comment reminds me of why I’m compelled to write such stories. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’ve written this story particularly well, Rochelle. You’ve shown us the characters by their actions and words, and we warm to them. Your message is all the more powerful for this.
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Dear Penny,
I’m happy to know that the message and characters rang true. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Kristallnacht. That was when the Nazi psychopaths really got going on their murderous rampages. We should never forget what those monsters did, lest we see them take hold like a cancer once again. Even today, we see them trying to spread their hate once more in the US. We need to stop them in their tracks before we see another Kristallnacht.
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Dear Eric
When I see these scenes, I’m speechless. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such an awful event and a signal of much worse to come. The organised barbarity and thoughtlessness is almost too much to imagine. And you’re right, fear can still us into inaction, though what the poor man could have done against such thugs, who knows. A sad reminder that these kinds of events hurt everyone involved. Sensitively done, Rochelle
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Dear Lynn
Unfortunately, those who did dare to take a stand suffered along with the persecuted. In my mind, this man was either a child or adolescent trapped in the Hitler Youth. It was a terrible time and this night marked the beginning of the end for millions. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If only all of those caught in that awful night could have seen what was to come, how their own country would turn so thouroughly on them. But then many wouldn’t have been able to afford to leave and when it came down to it, who could have envisaged such a thing was possible before it happened?
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I couldn’t stand the sight of those pictures, how could they stand those sights in real life?
A heartbreaking video.
Such a wide spectrum of emotions packed into 100 words. so sensitively and beautifully written.Truly awe-inspiring!
Love and regards,
Moon
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Dear Moon,
I suspect, at the time, many were sucked into the mob mentality while others were in touch with their vicious side. I found the video heartbreaking, too and that was tame by comparison to some. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The guilt would have eaten him up- I feel for him, you have packed so much into 100 words Roch, awesome
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Dear Akshata,
I felt for him, too and some other descendants of Nazis who don’t deserve to bear the guilt of their forefathers. Than you for your generous comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a sad story, I hated to hit the like button, but I did like it. So wonderfully written. So deep, although it was before my birth, it still brings tears to my eyes to think about it. And to remember it so…. I daresay, my own generation will remember 9-11 thus, in time. Some wounds never heal completely. Not sure I can top that tale this week.
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Dear Jelli,
It seems those traumatic memories remain indelibly etched in our memories. Those of us who were old enough, remember the day of Kennedy’s assassination in vivid detail. 9-11 is another of those times…and so on. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I read Elie Wiesel book. What a time and I don’t think those times are gone! Your story made me sad, and afraid, and sorry. Nicely done.
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Dear Lish,
Night was one of the most compelling books I’ve ever read. Sad that Mr. Wiesel is gone from us but not before he made a difference. I share your fears, my friend. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I was skipping down the sidewalk with her and didn’t expect such a sad end. Another nice history lesson on dark times from our past.
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Dear Cindy,
I’d say the little girl got an education that day she didn’t bargain for. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
I hesitated to click the like button because of the atroscity described in you story.
The pain comes through so clearly … always. The video was difficult to see. A horror of a time for those who experienced it. I can never wrap my head around such a brutal and cold callused time. You write about it brilliantly.
Abrazos y Shalom,
Isadora 😎
p.s. thank you for my new vocabulary word: limned.
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Querida Isadora
The video is a hard to see, although it’s tame compared to some I’ve seen. 😦 I’m glad my story spoke to you. Always happy to expand a friend’s vocabulario. 😉 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Unfortunately, history seems to periodically repeat itself. Somebody is always causing pain and suffering to someone, while others are too afraid to do something to stop it. Your story hits hard and is on target.
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Dear Mike,
It’s not always possible to do something about injustice, is it? I suspect this young father was but a boy. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Once again, Rochelle, you’ve managed to create empathy for your characters in just a few words. How sad that the father feels shame – if he’d intervened he might not have been around to become a father, but if he’d joined in the shame would have been overwhelming. I shudder to think how a child would feel seeing her father feeling so bad.
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Dear JS,
I have some German friends. Although they weren’t around during the Holocaust, there’s an inherent guilt they carry. So sad. You’re right about the father, there’s nothing he could’ve done. Most likely he was a child himself. Those who dared to intervene suffered the same fate as those they sought to save. Thank you for your generous comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not generous, Rochelle, just factual. You’re very welcome.
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Rochelle,
This was so touching. Well done.
xx Rowena
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Many thanks, Rowena. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sad. By the way apologies for falling behind with reading and commenting on everyones stories recently. Been a very busy few weeks but should get back to normal soon.
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Dear Hombre,
One of my favorite song quotes came from John Lennon, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” 😉 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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All the guilt he has inside him from so long ago. It must be so hard to live with, and he must have been very young when it happened and maybe unable to do anything anyway.
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Dear Ali,
Exactly so. In my mind, he was either a child or and adolescent, old enough to have a conscience but too young to do anything about it. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Ma Keebler W(T)F,
Once again you worked your “elfin’ magic” to make an horrific event in history personal to your readers. This is almost as good as your cookies, but with fewer calories. Very satisfying indeed.
Brad
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Dear Brad,
It’s easy to forget history if we can distance ourselves and not see a human face on it. Thank you and have another oatmeal raisin. Or perhaps a chocolate chip. Thank you.
Shalom,
Ma Keebler W(T)F
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Stood by and did nothing… very poignant. Lot of emotion in thus one
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Dear Laurie,
What he could’ve done was probably exactly what he did. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful story, Rochelle.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The price of one man’s inaction against the atrocities of the other man. Excellently written in 100 words the fear and the trauma of those turbulently painful periods. As usual a masterpiece, Rochelle.
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Dear Neel,
Elie Wiesel said that the opposite of love is indifference. Thank you for your generous comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A few days back I had watched “The Pianist”. Today I read your story and watched the video. The video a real sad account from the past, and then, I watched many others… sad and horrific ones.
Once again your story gives us an account of the past that was… that would have been…that could have been.
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Dear Norma,
“The Pianist” is one of my all time favorite movies. It follows the book by the same name very carefully. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can understand why it is your favourite. Of course the sentiments would be a little different than mine, but I too, fell in love with the character and the story. Very emotional, I fell like crying. A sad time, one that cannot be erased.
I had watched “Black Book” too, but couldn’t have the subtitles so couldn’t get the end bit.
You are welcome, Rochelle.
Happy weekend! 🙂
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That night was the start of mob mentality going to extremes.
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Dear Liz,
Once you stir up a mob…Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s details like this that really bring out the mood of the time.
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Thank you, Alice.
Shalom
Rochelle
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Aw Rochelle, I am so moved by this story and sad sad tragic truth of not so long ago. I say not so long ago because I try to read and remember these horrific stories. Today is Remembrance Day here…how appropriate to be reading your memory that must never be forgotten. Shalom, Cheryl-Lynn
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Dear Cheryl-Lynn,
Of course my stories are mainly fiction but based on oh so many true ones I’ve read. Hard to believe it’s been nearly 80 years since Kristallnacht. Thank you for your kind words and for reading my books.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on Traces of the Soul and commented:
A story that will pull at your heartstrings, for too many still remember…for too many did nothing.
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Dear Cheryl-Lynn,
Indeed far too many remember and we must never forget! Thank you for the reblog.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wish I could say the human race has moved on but I fear not. The lessons are never learned. Standing by is never a prevention
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Dear TRG,
George Santaya had it so right, “Those who don’t learned from history are doomed to repeat it.” ( I don’t think I quoted it quite right). I don’t think the man in my story was more than a boy. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How heartbreaking to carry such sorrow.
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It would be heartbreaking, Connie. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Living with the guilt on top of everything else – heartbreaking.
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Heartbreaking indeed. Thank you for reading, Louise.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Doing nothing, saying nothing, when something needs to be done, something needs to be said, when God calls us to action, is a heavy burden to live with. Nicely told, as always. Shalom, Rochelle, shalom.
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Dear Kelvin,
Alas, in Nazi Germany people paid a terrible price for standing up for what’s right. I think my character was but a boy. Still a heavy burden. So many of the descendants carry that burden as well. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
It seems I got the wrong end of your story stick. You have given me such a lovely reply above , so gracious in every word. I hope I have not upset you or touched a nerve with my misunderstanding of your story. That would a heavy burden to bear indeed .
Shalom
Kelvin
x
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I didn’t feel that you misunderstood my story. Maybe I misunderstood your comment. 😉 At any rate, it’s all good. There’s only so much a person can say in 100 words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a great story from the prompt – as you always say, it’s what the writer sees when they look.
And such a sad story to still be holding on to the guilt of standing by so many years later. Sometimes people cannot intervene however much they might want to.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
It’s where my head went the moment I chose the photo, not even consciously realizing it was the anniversary of Kristallnacht. In my mind the father in the story was only a boy.
At any rate, thank you for reading and leaving such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a sad story. Guilt has caused him so much unhappiness. I feel sorry for him. It’s easy to criticise others or even yourself, but sometimes it’s impossible to speak out and survive. On the other hand, I think he is doing something. He’s remembering and making sure people remember.
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Dear Luccia,
I have some German friends who do carry this guilt…and they weren’t even born yet. They’re survivors of a different sort. As for my poor character, I don’t think he was more than a boy at the time. Nothing he could have done. But I’m sure he’ll make sure no one ever forgets.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for reminding us about the importance of feeling and expressing remorse and the generosity of forgiveness♥️
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