The Fallacy of Race and the Shoah

AFTERMATH—ANOTHER UNKNOWN WORLD

AFTERMATH— ANOTHER UNKNOWN WORLD In early 1948, my brother wrote to inform me that he had met a woman name J Renee Engel, from Khust in the Carpathian region—a survivor who had relatives in Canada. He said that in all likelihood he would emigrate to that country,whose streets I thought were paved with gold. In May 1948, my sister called me from Liberec, frantically telling me that Josko was sick and needed penicillin, which at that time was impossible to find in Czechoslovakia. I asked Dr.Mauer for the help he had offered me when I arrived in Schatzalp. Once he agreed to prescribe the penicillin, the problem at hand was how to send it without it being confiscated by the government . Mr. Schneider, the owner of the candy factory in Davos, and I disguised the glass tubes containing the drugs by covering them with chocolate . I sent the box of chocolates special delivery along with a birthday card. I repeated this a few times using different addresses so as not to arouse the suspicion of government officials. The Russians invaded Czechoslovakia in June 1945.1 was notified that the service of currency exchange would no longer be permitted and that my immediate return was requested.Without the cooperation of the Czech government I could no longer stay in Schatzalp. Anticipating the problems of an unstable government, I had saved money from the monthly sums that Schneider's in 1997 was the store where 50 years earlier Peter disguised penicillin in candy to send to his sister Zsenka, who was living in Liberec. (Photo: Naomi Kramer) 113 A new life in Davos. Peter is walking with the doctor from Palestine, who showed him how to use cutlery properly. (KFF Archives) had been forwarded to me during my two years in Switzerland. I was friendly with the baker in Davos. He offered to rent me a room, which 1took in November 1948. My brother visited me in Switzerland while he was en route to Canada in October 1948. He stayed in a hotel in Davos for three nights and four days and arranged a visit with Dr.Mauer. If I moved out of the sanatorium I would become an alien in the country. Bumi was concerned about my future. After 24 months in Schatzalp, I had become a seasoned patient and my daily routine included smoking,drinking,and playing poker. On the second evening of Bumi's visit, he discovered me with other Schatzalp veterans engaging in these ignoble pursuits.Struck by the empty life I was living, he scorned my behaviour. I promised him that I would examine the direction in which I was taking my life.This was the first time I considered the advantages that individualchoice offers us in determining our fate. Recognition of the moral responsibility I had toward a cultural and religious heritage that includes some of the highest ethical standards known to the world was the reason I redirected my goals. I changed clothes in my room and we went to dinner. Mytable was on the left side of the dining room. Bumi walked past it and as I followed his rapid gait there was an outcry:"Happy birthday, Peter!" Thirty of my friends in Schatzalp burst into greeting,in almost as many languages at this celebration of my 23rd birthday, which Bumi had quietly organized for me.Anxious to join his fiancee in Montreal, he left a few days later. Shortly after, he wrote to inform me that my visa to Canada was complete , conditional on a medical report indicating Iwas in good health.This report included the requirement that an X-ray be taken at the Canadian Consulate in Berne,Switzerland.Dr. Mauer offered to accompany me. I was anxious and apprehensive on the train to Berne and grateful for Dr. Mauer's company. The Canadian doctor at the consulate was aware of Dr. Mauer's medical discoveries and his innovative treatment of tuberculosis. Having 114 AFTERMATH—ANOTHER UNKNOWN WORLD obtained my visa and passport from the Swiss police in Davos, I booked a train to Le Havre with a connection in Paris. Saying goodbye to Dr. Mauer was a difficult and emotional experience. I thanked him for his participation in my recovery. He was like a father to me. My experience with Dr. Mauer satisfied the expectation of help, which in itseli is a fundamental condition of the...