Escaping the Nazis.

• Author: Tabatsky, David
• Position: THE WORLD YESTERDAY

After a year of dreading the inevitable but mostly never imagining that such a bad dream could come true, it finally had happened. On Friday, May 10, 1940, Germany had invaded our country, just one day before my Bar Mitzvah.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sal," they sang in loud, playful voices, "Happy Birthday to you!" It was May 5,1940, and I was now 13 years old. In the Netherlands, birthdays are major events, and if anyone forgets, it's a big, fat blunder. My mother made sure everyone was there: aunts, uncles, cousins, family friends, and most important, Louis and Daniel, and of course, Tinie, doting on me as only an older sister can.

'Take your time, little brother," she whispered. "It's your choice."

Make a wish, Sal, come on!

Both of my brothers wrapped their arms around me, pressing me against the table where the cake was on display. I closed my eyes and prepared to blow out the candles. A slight smile must have been visible on my face, and Daniel wasted no time noticing.

What's her name, Sal?

"Oh, forget it, kid," said Louis. "If you have to wish for a girlfriend, it'll never happen."

"Leave him alone, boys," said Tinie. "Sal can have any girl he wants!"

I loved my sister but, in that moment, my mind was far away from any thoughts of girls. I was wishing for one thing, and one thing only--that every birthday I would ever have would be celebrated with all of these people, together, as one big family. As I blew out the flames, and the house became totally dark for an instant, everyone cheered and applauded for me. They were happy to have a reason to assemble in our house and celebrate a joyous occasion. Even my father, when he could tear himself away from the radio, was part of the festivities.

Adolf Hitler's army had invaded Poland just eight months earlier, and he had promised he would not invade the Netherlands. What did he want with us, anyway?--but just one month ago, Denmark and Norway had succumbed to the Germans. The governments of Belgium and England had warned our government that the Nazis would storm all three countries. Benito Mussolini and Hitler recently had formed an alliance, pitting the armies of Italy and Germany against those of France and Britain. All the grown-ups talked about was the impending war.

During the past two weeks, the Dutch government had proclaimed martial law throughout the country. Local police were arresting members of the Dutch Nazi party, and just days ago, 21 prominent Nazi sympathizers had been...