March 19, 1944

But our hopes for a brighter future ended abruptly on March 19, 1944. That day delivered Hungarian Jewry's greatest catastrophe, as Hitler's murderous robbers (they called themselves soldiers) invaded Hungary. Dark clouds hovered above us. Every time I recall this day it feels like disaster bells pound my head.

The German beasts quickly came out with a series of anti-Jewish laws. They forbade us from having any contact - business or otherwise - with non-Jews. Christians could not sell Jews milk or butter, were not allowed to step into Jewish homes or have Jews visit them.

© David Muskal, 2001