The rebellious life
In Germany, going into hiding wass considered illegal. Any Jewish person found hiding, could recieve the penalty of death. Any non-Jew person found assisting a Jew in hiding, could be tried as a Jew.
Not all Jewish children could pass as "Aryans", but even if they did, it was necesary to have "papers". They needed a birth or baptismal certificate. Recieving one was quite difficult in German-occupied Europe, especially since the authorities reviewed identity papers thoroughly. The children who could pass as "Aryans" were able to enjoy some form of freedom in the outside world. Though, they did need to watch what language the spoke, how they acted in certain situations, and they needed to learn the prayers and rituals of the religion they were pretending to be.
Some Jewish children had physical forms that could only be known as Jewish. Often, infant men will have been circumsized, even during the darkest times of the Holocaust. When men began to assume another identity and religion, the authorities would check their genitals, since circumcision was a Jewish tradition, they would know who was being defiant, and who wasn't. Hiding this proved as difficult for men who were hiding. Even using a public bathroom could lead to their discovery. Sometimes, men would undergo a operation that disguised the circumcision, and hid the scars.
Children who couldn't pass as a "Aryan" usually lived in attics and cellars, where they had to keep quiet and motionless, for hours. In rural areas, hidden children lived in barns, coops, and tents. Any little noise could cause neighbors’ to grow suspicion and maybe even start a police raid.
Life was difficult for children during the Holocaust whether they were in hiding, or not.
Not all Jewish children could pass as "Aryans", but even if they did, it was necesary to have "papers". They needed a birth or baptismal certificate. Recieving one was quite difficult in German-occupied Europe, especially since the authorities reviewed identity papers thoroughly. The children who could pass as "Aryans" were able to enjoy some form of freedom in the outside world. Though, they did need to watch what language the spoke, how they acted in certain situations, and they needed to learn the prayers and rituals of the religion they were pretending to be.
Some Jewish children had physical forms that could only be known as Jewish. Often, infant men will have been circumsized, even during the darkest times of the Holocaust. When men began to assume another identity and religion, the authorities would check their genitals, since circumcision was a Jewish tradition, they would know who was being defiant, and who wasn't. Hiding this proved as difficult for men who were hiding. Even using a public bathroom could lead to their discovery. Sometimes, men would undergo a operation that disguised the circumcision, and hid the scars.
Children who couldn't pass as a "Aryan" usually lived in attics and cellars, where they had to keep quiet and motionless, for hours. In rural areas, hidden children lived in barns, coops, and tents. Any little noise could cause neighbors’ to grow suspicion and maybe even start a police raid.
Life was difficult for children during the Holocaust whether they were in hiding, or not.