A Fateful Meeting
Steerage was the cheapest way to travel from Russia to the United States. About a hundred men, women, and children were crowded together. The sharp scents of diesel oil, paint, and other supplies stored in the lower deck of the ship helped minimize the obvious lack of personal hygiene. Passengers had little privacy or room for exercise and movement. People huddled together to stay warm. They slept on hard cots. How they all yearned for hot water to wash their bodies. Any food brought from home was eaten a little at a time and made to last, since meals provided on the journey were stale and tasteless. There was no fresh milk or fruit available. Children got sick even faster than adults. A crying child was passed from person to person, sung to, and rocked.
In the letters that Joseph sent home, however, he tried to be cheerful.
November 2, 1917
Dear Mama and Children,
I am on my way to America at last. I have met many new people on this journey. Something wonderful has happened, something quite unexpected.
On the third night aboard ship, there was a terrible storm that shook the ship. Although adults tried to hide their fear, the frightening, booming thunder sent terrified children into the arms of their parents. Would the waves cover the ship? Would we all drown? Everyone was terrified.
I thought my violin might soothe all of us. As I started to play, a strong, magnificent voice filled the room. A tall man came up beside me and began to sing. That wondrous voice, dear family, belongs to a cantor who sang in a synagogue only five miles away from our home in Slutsk. Isnt that amazing? We could have met in Russia, but we met aboard ship instead. The cantors name is Gedalia. We have become fast friends.
Together, Cantor Gedalia and I shut out the noise of the thunder and lightning with a soothing lullaby. Babies stopped crying, and some of the older children began to smile. I played a folk song, and Gedalia got everyone to sing along. Now, it seemed like our group was simply swaying with the rocking ship. The music brought all of us together like one big family. We believed that we would come through the voyage safely now because we were there for one another.
This amazing man knows so many songs! Sometimes, he makes up his own words, and that makes us all laugh. He has your gift, Sonya.
Even the smallest children are learning all the songs. Sometimes, we let them entertain us. We line them up, the smaller ones in front. Their parents are so proud. All of us clap and cheer. We sing together each night, and that makes it easier for the children to relax and fall asleep. Mama, it makes it easier for the rest of us to feel safe, too.
Cantor Gedalia and I have promised to stay in touch when we reach America. We are like brothers. Someday, you must meet him. That will be a wonderful day when all of us are together.
Love,
Joseph
The sea was calm during the second week of the journey. No one knew how soon they would be in America, but they had been told about the Statue of Liberty. She was a beautiful lady in New York Harbor placed there to welcome all newcomers. In her hand she carried the torch of freedom.
How wonderful that sounded to passengers aboard. The torch of freedom!
A schoolteacher aboard the ship had memorized the last four lines of a poem written by Emma Lazarus. Each night she was asked to recite them. By journeys end, many had learned the last lines written on the monument:
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teaming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost, to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Those who could not say the words understood them as the teacher spoke the words in Russian. America, the land of freedom and opportunity, would welcome them.
As word spread that land was sighted, passengers cheered. In no place was there the same excitement as found in the lowest deck of the ship where the journey was the hardest. It was midday when a shout alerted everyone: Look! Theres the lady! Theres the lady! A boy, looking out the porthole, had spotted the magnificent Statue of Liberty that appeared to rise in front of him.
Come and see the lady! Come and see the lady! he shouted.
Passengers rushed to join him. Adults wept with joy. Children cheered. The voyage was over. They were safe. They were in America.
Joseph said a silent prayer. His dream had come true, at last.
Excitement turned to confusion as the vessel docked. Ship officials spoke to them in English. Travelers in steerage found it hard to understand questions asked, harder still to answer. Immigration officials and the new immigrants tried to be patient.
As always, Joseph had been studying. He now knew a few phrases in English that would prove to be helpful:
Hellomy name is
Please, can you tell me where
Thank you very much.
Passports were inspected. Health examinations were given so that no one with a communicable disease could enter the United States. Hours passed before the immigrants were allowed to leave the ship at Ellis Island, New York. Only the children, caught up in the excitement of new adventure, did not feel threatened by long lines and hours of waiting.
New fears arose as those who had traveled in steerage left the ship at last. Would they be recognized by waiting relatives or friends? Would they recognize a face changed by the years? What if no one came to meet them? What if the letter announcing their arrival had been lost?
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