SS St. Louis

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The other evening, we visited the Museum of Jewish Heritage A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in Battery Park to see the new exhibition on the capture and trial of Adolf Eichmann. The Museum is a special place in a special part of the City. On our way to the exhibition, I found myself before the display describing the plight of the SS St. Louis. In 1939, Nine hundred German Jews departed Hamburg for Havana. While en route, their entry permits to Cuba were revoked and they were denied entry. The SS St. Louis sought entry into the United States and was denied, forcing the ship and its passengers to return to Germany. After seeing the exhibition -- very worthwhile, I might add -- we took a walk along the harbor. As the sun set and the lights came up on the Statue of Liberty, I thought about the first time my parents saw the welcoming image of Lady Liberty after the long voyage from Europe to begin their new lives in this land of opportunity. As I thought of my parents, I couldn't help but think of the nine hundred souls on the SS St. Louis...and others, who were denied.

Comments

Fred Klein

I knew a young boy who was on the St. Louis, Peter Wish.
Cayce Crown

It would be interesting to know how many survived. I'm with Corey, though I don't think shameful is strong enough word. How do we keep it from happening again?

Submitted by MarilynGenoa on Thu, 08/10/2017 - 02:46

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Marilyn Genoa

Unfortunately there were many turned away during that time period, and the shame and disbelief does not diminish as I learn of another ship that was denied entry, or another group of people turned away from our shores. Unfortunately there are many who continue to be turned away. Gratefully my family and my husband's family were among the fortunate who were allowed entry when fleeing persecution in Germany, Austria and Russia, it could easily have been so different ---something we understand and never forget.
Kelly Welles

Poignant story and a lesson that should never be
repeated. Thanks for sharing.

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