Holocaust in Romania - Corvinus Library - Hungarian History

While Transnistria does not call to mind the apocalyptic flames ofcrematoriums, the methods which served the eventual realization of theobjective were nevertheless frighteningly versatile. They serve as anexample of methodic mass execution. Here, the undermining of thevictims’ moral stamina overshadowed the physical torture. In Germancamps victims quickly grew apathetic, so terribly so that not only did theygive up all hope at the very beginning, but completely ceased to exist asmoral beings. In Transnistria the hope was constantly alive in them, theywere always aware of the gradual degradation humanness, and accuratelyexperienced the truly terrifying moral pains. The fear of all sorts of diseasesthat threatened them from all sides; the problem of providing food forthemselves and their loved ones, the horror of being beaten or tortured, towhich they were constantly exposed - with or without pretext; thecontinuous anxiety over the threat of transportation to camps within thecountry or beyond the Bug, paralyzed their senses, numbed their physicalpain, but enormously increased their moral suffering.The most important contributory causes of the physical and psychologicalannihilation of the Jews deported to Transnistria were, naturally, theabove-mentioned (disease, hunger, torture, deportation or the nightmaresof these). The fact that total extermination could not be achieved can beattributed to another “miracle”, brought about by the enormous vitalityand indefatigable energy of the Jews. A small group of people—sometimesone single person—were capable of creating a community from the massof uprooted, exhausted suffering and persecuted people, through initiative,courage, strong will, stamina, and the power of respect as well as Jewishsolidarity.Leaders emerged, unelected, unappointed and unconfirmed in their roles.Similarly, Jewish institutions sprang up in a spontaneous and natural wayas a consequence of necessity and tragedy. The Office of OrganizingJewish Work can be considered one of these. Such institutions were widelydisdained by Jews, who saw that such organizations could be used as toolsby the enemy. These notorious offices played the role of necessary evil byeliminating unjust actions and hindering brutal acts of persecution.Because of the general hunger, public eateries, communal kitchens andfood distribution centers had to be set up, and the wonderful industrial‘associations’ (construction or small-scale industry workshops) had to be157