American Jewish Life

Title

Goedemorgen: Anne Frank Gives Tucson Hope for a Better Tomorrow

Description

Tucson freelance writer Barbara Russek imagines a message from Anne Frank to Tucsonans coping with the coronavirus pandemic.

Anne Frank Gives Tucson Hope for a Better Tomorrow

If Anne Frank had possessed the ability to time travel from her hiding
place, the Secret Annex in Amsterdam (1942-1944) and observe folks
living in The Old Pueblo, she might have written the following:

Goedemorgen (good morning) denizens of Tucson,

I see that this is an uncertain, anxious time for you. Cases of
coronavirus are going up. Adults have been forced to make big changes in
their lives; many are reluctantly working from home; others have lost
their jobs and have big worries about feeding their families and paying
the bills. Those still at work pray they don’t contract the virus and
infect family and friends.

With classrooms shuttered, children are restless, as they try to
concentrate on classes given on the computer or by their parents. How
will their lives be affected by all the schoolwork missed?

As I know from personal experience, questions with no answers give way
to fear. May your concerns on whatever level you’re experiencing them,
soon come to an end.

To give you a little perspective on your present situation, I invite you
to join me in the Secret Annex for a moment or two, where eight people
are forced to live hidden in a cramped 800 square feet of space —for
no other reason than the fact that we are Jews. Where:

*We cannot talk from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every weekday (except during
lunch hour) for fear workers will hear our voices and report
us to the authorities.

*We cannot flush our one toilet during this time.

*Food becomes more and more scarce.

*Privacy is practically non-existent.

*We can never take a breath of fresh air.

And so much more

Yet because of our own determination and the courage of our dear
non-Jewish helpers who risked their lives to save us, we have survived
in these totally inhumane conditions for over two years. We would have
continued to do so had not the desire of a few Dutch guilders for
betraying Jews ended our confinement in the Secret Annex and a far
worse fate awaited us.

Now let’s look at what you have: the ability to communicate with just
about everyone via the computer, other electronic devices or phone and
send virtual hugs and kisses to those whom you hold dear. You’re free
to leave the house and get the basic necessities of life at the
pharmacy, grocery store or food bank.

You have the freedom to take a walk, fill your lungs with fresh air and
enjoy Tucson’s beautiful spring weather, which reminds me of carefree
days spent playing outside as a schoolgirl in Amsterdam. I hope you’ll
take in the wondrous site of wildflowers blooming or even plant a few
seeds in your own garden. Maybe you’ll take a bike ride to clear your
head, surrounded by the ever-changing mountains and other wonders of
nature. As I wrote in my diary “…I firmly believe that nature brings
solace in all troubles.”

Many of you will find another way to make money with a different job in
case of emergency. Others have the resources and spirit of giving to
help those in need.

All things considered, what most of you are experiencing is a major
disruption in your lives, one that could be very stressful in many
different ways; but, lessons from history are a reminder that it will be
a temporary one. Medical discoveries will hopefully bring a halt to this
pandemic before long and prevent it in the future. My fervent prayer is
that one day you will again be together in unity, as sung in the
beautiful Hebraic melody Hine Ma Tov.

I hope that reading my thoughts gives you a feeling of gratitude for
your many blessings, renewed energy and hope for the future. As I wrote
in my diary, “If I look up into the heavens, I think that everything
will change for the better…and peace and tranquility will return
again.”

With my best wishes and faith in a better tomorrow for you,

Anne

Barbara Russek, a freelance writer in Tucson, welcomes comments at
Babette2@comcast.net

Community

Jewish History Museum & Holocaust History Center

State

Arizona

Place

Tucson

Genre

text

Creator

Barbara Russek

This item was submitted on July 23, 2021 by [anonymous user] using the form “Contribute Your Materials” on the site “American Jewish Life”: https://americanjewishlife.org/s/american-jewish-life