KAROLINA (Page 2) - A Story by Leonard Dreifuss

 

THE OCEAN VOYAGE

 

It was the day before sailing, and the Hess household was a hub of activity. Benedict and Betty, Karolina's parents; Josef and his family; Samuel and his; next came Jettchen, Rebekka, Minna, Hirsch, Sara, Naftalie and Heineman. Karolina's cousin Fanny's family also joined the farewell and Samuel gave a benediction which left no dry eyes. Karolina's mother seemed to have a premonition that this would be the last she would see her daughter.

The train trip to the ship was exciting to the girls as this was their first time they were on a train and the beginning of a true adventure. Eventually, the ship landed at Hoboken New Jersey and immediately, the dream of the beautiful new land became a nightmare of open bars, cobblestone streets and the loud hawking of pushcart peddlers. They were met at the dock by Fanny's cousin who took them to Brooklyn where they stayed overnight in a small flat.

 

ARRIVAL IN AMERICA

 

Karolina told Fanny that her mother's cousin, Frau Stern, lived in New York City and that she had written her mother that she would have a place for Karolina to stay. Karolina found her way to Manhattan on Fifth Avenue where stood very imposing brownstone houses. Karolina was very pleased to see the cleanliness of the streets and houses on Fifth Avenue and made her way up to the entrance, traveling bags in each hand, tied with heavy string.

Frau Stern was in her late sixties and was a very proper looking lady who emanated good breeding and wealth, plus of course, the correct German attitude. Karolina introduced herself and Frau Stern greeted her, letting her know that she was expected.

 

LIFE UPON ARRIVAL

 

"Karolina, I am so happy to see you! How are your parents? Was the trip smooth? Come, I will take you to your room!"

Frau Stern opened the door and they entered a small but neat room. The tall brass bed shone like a bright candlelight.

"Put down your bags and we'll sit downstairs, have a cup of coffee and talk."

Karolina followed Frau Stern down the stairs into a large kitchen where they sat down. Frau Stern put up a pot of coffee and began explaining the routine of the Stern household.

"Karolina, your room, which is at the top of the stairs, will be tidied up after you get up. The bed is to be made, the floor swept, the furniture dusted and your dirty clothes taken down to be washed along with the other clothes you will wash. After that, you will clean all the other five bedrooms, scrub the bathroom and then wash the kitchen floor. Then the windows are to be washed."

At that point, Karolina interrupted: "Frau Stern, I thought I came as a guest, not as a maid. I would gladly pay for my board and room and take care of any inconvenience I might create, but I intend to get a job on the outside and pay for my keep. With your permission, I take my leave and will return to my cousin Fanny's house." With that retort, Karolina marched up the stairs, repacked her bags, walked down the stairs, and looking straight ahead, marched out the front door.

Back in Brooklyn, Fanny and Karolina went job hunting and found little difficulty in finding work in a sweater factory at fair wages. For an immigrant girl, not familiar with the language, this was very exciting as she was earning her own money and she had never seen such a large factory. Fanny worked with her so that they were able to talk and laugh and meet new people.

 

THE GERMAN JEWISH COMMUNITY

 

In the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, the German Jewish community was large in 1906 and a single Jewish girl could meet many friends. Usually, the "get-togethers" they attended were arranged by the German Jewish community and when invited to parties, it was usually in a German Jewish home. However, it was somehow different than in Germany.

Karolina learned that the German Jewish community was not orthodox. There was a conservative temple and even a reform movement. In fact, some German Jews were Germans before being Jews. It was at one of these "get-togethers" that Karolina met Joe.

A flood of letters back and forth from and to Fulda filled the empty hours of the evening. Each letter from home seemed to be a pleading to return to the nest and assuring Karolina that while the experience was good and the adventure complete, her place was back in Germany. Karolina smiled and explained that "the life was new; the living hard; but that is what makes us strong! My greatest concern is for the family's health and good fortune."

Karolina was happy. It was 1906, and Karolina was 22. She had a fair command of the English language, had saved a few dollars, and enjoyed her menial job in the sweater factory. Her social life was busy as Karolina was a popular girl, but she had not met a man she would like to marry. This was before she met Joe.

 

Continue with Karolina's Story