From January 1942, the Nazis began deporting ghetto residents from Lodz to Chelmno extermination camp as part of their “Final Solution.” These individuals, who bordered trains outside the ghetto, were falsely told that they were going to work elsewhere. Children and adults over 65 were specifically targeted.

“New Worries”

Deportations start. Syvia can hear the train whistle. Papa says that they are taking the people to work elsewhere, but Dora says that she has heard rumors that they are going to death camps; their parents scold Dora for voicing this in front of Syvia.

“Wedding Invitations”

The ghetto occupants joke that the deportation orders, which are delivered to many ghetto inhabitants, are wedding invitations.

“A Happy Night”

Itka visits. She, Syvia, and Dora play dress up with Mother’s clothes.

“No Friends”

Syvia believes that she has never been so sad; Papa saw Itka in one of the train carriages because she and her family received a summons and were deported.

“Silence”

The deportations stop; no one knows why.

“Bean Counting”

Syvia is eight-and-a-half years old. She and Dora practice fractions as they eat scrawny beans from their vegetable plot.

“Bad News”

Syvia hears her parents fearfully discussing what they should do about the ordered deportation of all ghetto children.