Simon Maroko - February 19 & 26, 1986
Religious Life During the Occupation
Did, did you still attend services regularly?
I attended services until 1943 when I myself went in hiding. Until uh, let's say uh, less than a week before.
At the Great Synagogue?
Right, always the Great Synagogue.
People continued to go...
Right
even during the occupation.
There is an interesting thing that I remember, if you don't mind.
Please.
I'm going back. Before the World War II, and it even, it, it could have happened even uh, after German occupation. Uh, my father had a vacation in the summer, and sometimes I, I remember at least one time, that he went to listen to the services in the other synagogues. And one time he went to the Portuguese Synagogue. Now in the Portuguese Synagogue there is a uh, section in the center which is for Sephardi Portuguese Jews. Outside in the periphery uh, Ashkenazi Jews or Gentiles are permitted. When my father came there he--and I piggy uh, tailing with him, I was permitted to enter the central part as a sign of honor, of respect that was shown...
Because they knew your father.
Yes.
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