The Cage-Post 3

Summary:
Riva's brother, the one who had tuburculosis, died. They meet a new friend named Yulek. His father died at a labor camp and his mom went insane and was taken away with the sick people. He taught Riva to never give up hope and to keep writing her letters. Riva and her two brothers were moved into an old grocery store. They kept the secret library there but if they got caught they would be in huge trouble. When Riva went to work at the tailor's everyone was silent. Riva was on the list of teenagers to be deported but Mr. Berkenwald put someone in her place. He said she was a mother to her two brothers now and he couldn't bear to ruin 3 lives. Riva's two brothers use their bread to buy her new clothes for Pesach. Yulek is put on the list to be deported. It was a very hard goodbye for Riva, as they have become more than friends. The nazi's are telling the people that if they come on their own to work at labor camps, the families will get to stay together. Riva and her brothers don't believe this and so they hid in the cellar. Awhile later they decide that if they stay and hide they are just going to die. But if they go to the labor camps they may have a chance at living and staying together as a family. They go with their family friends and stay together as a family as they get on the train. They end up in Auschwitz.


Reaction:
I can't imagine having as much hope and strength as these people. They know that they have a huge chance of dying, yet they remain calm. During the searches, they don't cry and give up hope. They stay silent and patient until the Nazi's leave. I could never do that. It would be so hard to get on a crowded train for three days and not know where you are going and what is going to happen once you get there. The Jews show such courage and hope. I would never be able to handle the situation like Riva and her brothers are.