Underground Passages to Freedom
Pesach is a time when Jewish people tell the story of an exodus and freedom. There are many stories and ways to share our history of freedom. As a Black Jew and a Black American, I consciously see the connections of my histories. I am acutely aware of how my heritage and history interconnect and I see the parallels of my identity as a Jew and a Black woman. This understanding leads me to share the exodus of Black southern slaves to the northern states and Jews leaving Germany to escape the inevitability of slave labor and death in concentration camps. I also see the underground connections of the secret passages to freedom for Jews in the Holocaust and Black people in slavery.
The Underground Railroad was a system created by Black slaves in America seeking freedom from oppression. Each “track” on the “railroads” linked escapees to safe houses where free Black people (Like Frederick Douglas and Jermain Loguen) and White allies (Quakers) helped to hide and facilitate their journey to free land. It operated from the late 1830’s until the late 1860’s (after the end of the Civil War).
The secret tunnels created during the Holocaust also provided a path to freedom from slavery in the concentration camps in Europe. Persecuted and enslaved Jews sought freedom through a clandestine operation of many individuals and groups working together to save the life of people victimized by hate and scapegoating of the Jewish people.
Black slaves used songs, symbols, markings, and other codes to communicate about the secret routes. Their ingenuity and teamwork allowed for the underground railroad to be a viable path to get to the most northern free states. So many unnamed individuals (farmers, businessmen, and women) helped to design the map to freedom. They helped to recruit people and groups (“station masters”) to participate including the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Quakers. These strong allied groups were determined to help Black men, women, and children get to freedom at the risk of their own livelihoods and personal freedoms (like Charles Torrey, Jonathan Walker, and John Fairfield). Morally courageous individuals (like Josiah Henson, Levi Coffin, and John Parker) also unified in the dream of freedom for all. These individuals and groups sacrificed their own money, comforts, and lives to ensure the freedom of others. Their humanitarian efforts changed the course of history for many Black formally enslaved people.
Similarly, Jews had sophisticated methods to communicate about the secret system created to save their lives. With the help of countless people and groups (over 25,000), many Jewish children, women and men were saved. Individuals also organized and led escapes to freedom (like Isaac Dogim, Suzanne Spaak, and Raoul Wallenberg). Routes developed all over Europe, including the Pyrenees mountains (Val d’Aran route) that separates France and Spain. Hidden paths were facilitated by resistance groups and individuals who put their lives on the line to “draw the line in the sand”. Oskar Schindler was one of these individuals who creatively saved Jews from certain death. Other saviors include, Chiune Sugihara, Charles Lutz, and Feng-Shan Ho.
Villages like Le Chambon-sur-Lignon (France), Gluchow (Poland) and Nieuwlande (Netherlands) and others, served as critical safe spaces for Jews seeking freedom/survival.
Anyone helping Jews were punished and some were murdered because they provided assistance and care to their fellow European humans. Towns and villages were burned down because of the collective efforts of empathetic individuals who sacrificed for the freedom of others. However, if it had not been for their willingness to participate in the secret system of survival of the Jews many more human beings would have perished. Some people (like Caecilia Loots, Lois Gunden, and Sofka Skipwith), made a choice to not be complicit in their own safety and security. They risked so much for the Jewish people and hence helped Jews thrive from generation to generation.
During the enslavement of Black humans, many people knew about and searched hard to find these secret passages. Bounty hunters, the legal system (Fugitive Slave Act), and people benefiting from the free labor of Black humans (slave owners and their families) were against the network developed to get slaves to free lands (northeastern states and Canada). Slaves attempting to escape to freedom were pursued and hunted. Although there were people who served as “look outs” (like Robert Purvis), the secret system did not always prove to be successful. Some “fugitive” slaves were caught and because their labor was valuable and the reward to capture a slave was relatively high, runaways were returned back to their slave masters where they would then be beaten in front of all the other slaves. These public beatings further created psychological trauma. The severe consequences of running away discouraged many slaves contemplating freedom. Many slaves knew about the Underground Railroad and still chose to stay on their plantation and work because they were afraid and some did not believe in the “myth” of this network to freedom. This lack of faith and fear kept many Black people enslaved until they died or were freed (via a slave owner or after the Civil War).
Jews during the Holocaust had desperate hope for their freedom and survival. Although some knew of the secret system, they did not have the means and connections to participate. Some were afraid because if they were caught they knew they would be executed. The Jews who escaped and were found, like escaping Black slaves, also endured public examples of the consequences of running away. Run away Jews trying to leave the ghettos and concentration camps, were reported by people they knew and hunted by law enforcement. If these escapees qwere found, they were killed. Many Jews were distraught and traumatized. Some were afraid and hoped for someone to save them. Similar to Black slaves, White Jews who were still alive, were finally freed near the end of a war. Liberation came near the end of World War II when allied forced (US, England, Soviet Union, and France) freed Jewish slaves from concentration camps saving their lives.
Traveling on the Underground Railroad was a dangerous journey that required slaves to travel in the darkness of the night with only the light of the moon and stars. Many slaves were injured, hungry, and cold. They walked for miles without sleeping until they reached a safe place (house, school, barn, and church). Runaway slaves met with “conductors” (Harriet Tubman, John Brown, and William Still) to help lead the way from one “stationmaster” to the next until they found freedom. Harriet Tubman traveled back from free land (north) to slavery land (south) many times to guide family members, friends and other enslaved people to freedom.
Traveling the secret system to survive was not easy for Jews. Children were given to strangers, families were separated, and people used all of their resources to fund their escape. Many traveled miles to escape certain death. Ironically, many still died on the difficult journey seeking freedom. For those who survived the frigid weather, rough terrains, and famine, they finally reached a place that was safe. Many Jews were hidden in secret spaces in the homes, barns, schools, and businesses (Anne Frank, Otto Wolf, and Kristine Chiger). Many Jews also converted and participated in mandatory conversion programs. (Catholic/Protestant) to ensure their sustained survival. Runaway Jews were helped by so many humanitarians determined to ensure the safety and freedom of the Jew people.
The exodus from persecution, hate, slavery and death are part of the Black American and European Jewish histories. The underground systems to travel to free and safe lands are also shared connections. The many allies and advocates who had the moral courage to risk their lives were a critical part of the freedom of Black slaves and White Jews.
This Shabbat, as we share the story of our freedom, may we remember our intersectional liberation and how connected we are to one another. May we honor the power of allies and recognize how they have saved humans who are different from them. May we not only reflect on the diverse saviors of the past, but may we be resolved to be an authentic ally and liberator for equity and justice. There are exoduses happening all over the world and humans are still seeking survival and liberation. May we be the humanitarians the world needs to fight for the freedom of all people.
