Sarona
by
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…A glorious full moon was rising in the east and the sounds from Sarona were clearly audible in the balmy summer evening – the dance music from Günthner’s café, the rumble and crash of skittles from the bowling alley at Kuebler’s bar accompanied by the occasional shout of “Kranz” and “Platte” as both old and young pursued their pastimes. On the eastern side of the pump house stood a garden bench on which Erich and Ruth sat with their arms around each other to watch the moon rise and enjoy each other’s company for a little longer. “You know Ruth, this land has belonged to my family for over sixty years. It was my grandfather who first ploughed the ground here. Originally he planted a vineyard but as it became evident that a much better return could be made from oranges he decided to plant this orange grove. Many other early Sarona vineyards have been ripped out for orange groves. We still have a couple of dunams with grapes and my father still belongs to the Sarona-Wilhelma Winegrowers Co-operative, which owns the large wine cellar. Most of the grapes for the wines now come from our sister settlement of Wilhelma. One day, I hope to own this beautiful orchard to carry on our family tradition.” Then wistfully, he added, “It would be wonderful if we could do that together.” Ruth nestled closer. “Oh, Erich, I can’t see that happening right now. Everyone is saying that war is coming in Europe and the troubles here in Palestine are getting worse. Maybe we will have to go elsewhere to be together.” “Yes, I’ve thought that too, but where could we go? Cyprus? Turkey? Or further – South Africa, the United States or Australia? But I can’t leave my home and my parents, it would break their hearts, and if I left with you, I could probably never return to my community, which I admire and respect. I’m caught in the middle in this crazy world - with an undying love for you but no less a love for my family.” “I know Erich; I feel the same way and just wish that there could be a solution for us that would allow us to live together. Being forced to meet in secret and having to avoid being seen together is driving me insane. We should be allowed to live our lives like any other young couple in love without shame and prejudice. We’ve done nothing wrong and nor have our families, but all our problems come from someone else over whom we have no control. It doesn’t seem to matter what we think or do, we can change nothing.” They fell silent, pondering their future. The moon had risen and cast eerie shadows across the orchard. The dance music floating from Sarona had become even more clearly audible in the still night air when Erich asked Ruth if she would like to dance. Her heart leapt – she had so longed to dance with Erich, she didn’t hesitate, “Yes of course, I’d love to!” As they rose to their feet and enfolded their arms about each another, Ruth rested her head against Erich’s powerful shoulder. They melted into each other as they shuffled in the fine dry sand to Zwei Herzen im Dreiviertel Tackt (Two hearts in three quarter time). When the record finished they remained holding each other and stole a sweet kiss. As the next record started, Erich squeezed Ruth even closer to him. Their eyes were closed as the lyrics of the song Du, Du liegst mir im Herzen, Du, Du liegst mir im Sinn (You, you lie my heart, you, you lie in my thoughts) echoed in their own hearts. As they danced, Erich quietly sang along with feeling. Ruth was mesmerised as she absorbed the words “And, and when I love you, then, then love me too”…. * * * * * …..A few minutes passed without a single word before Erich reached into his pocket for a small package which he gave to Ruth. “I have a small keepsake for you. It comes with all my love, from the very depths of my soul.” Ruth’s hands trembled as she removed the ribbon and paper of the neatly wrapped box. She gasped when she saw the golden bracelet that glowed in the rays of the setting sun. As she lifted it for a closer look, she saw the engraving inside, “Liebste Ruth, Mit aller Liebe, Erich. August 1939” (Dearest Ruth, with all my love, Erich. August 1939). Tears again welled in hers eyes as she clung to Erich whose embrace tightened correspondingly and they allowed their powerful emotions to take their course…. * * * * * …The sea was calm and flat as they made their way out, unlike the day of Erich’s departure in 1936, but the mood of the crowd grew noticeably heavier as the boats cleared the rocks and the ship’s great bulk overshadowed them. Something prompted Erich to look back at the port - he saw a lonely female figure standing and waving frantically. Instantly he recognised Ruth standing at the same spot, high on the seawall from where she had waved when he left in 1936. He blew a kiss and waved wildly. This time though, she looked so lonely and forlorn on the deserted sea front in the half light of early morning. A thought flashed through his mind – will this be the last time we see each other?...
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About the Book
In the early 1930s, Tel Aviv was a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, and religious backgrounds. Living in the German agricultural settlement, known as “Sarona,” is a young man named Erich. Erich is a descendant of the Sarona settlement founder—a Christian German, who belonged to the group known as the Templers. Life is without conflict for Erich—until his eighteenth birthday, when he meets Ruth. Ruth is a young Jewess—a granddaughter of one of the early Zionist settlers in the Holy Land. In Tel Aviv, the Germans and the Jewish settlers were not to have contact, let alone romantic relations. Still, Erich and Ruth can’t resist, even as the world around them threatens their relationship with problems far beyond the normal bounds of boy meets girl. There is the question of German Nazism, forbidding liaisons between German and Jew. There is also the Jewish tradition of discouraging intermarriage. Events in their own settlements not only threaten their love, but also their lives. In the late 1930s, Palestine was wracked by three-way political violence between the British, Jews, and Arabs, tearing them both apart. Despite war, despite distance, despite the ridicule of others, Erich and Ruth fight for the love they have found. Will their love ever be accepted, or will death separate them for good?
About the Author
Helmut Glenk was born in an Australian internment camp to parents of German origin who had been deported from Sarona, Palestine. This background has inspired much of his research, as well as his writing. He is also the author of the nonfiction book, From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges, focused on the Sarona settlement.