"Dad Said We'd Have to Eat Chametz, and We All Burst into Tears": Mordechai Lump in a Fascinating Interview

Mordechai Lump, 89, was born in Galicia, Poland. During the Holocaust, his family wandered in Poland, later moved to Russia, and were exiled to Siberia. After the war, the family returned to Germany, where Mordechai attempted to immigrate to Israel on the "Exodus" ship. The ship, captured by the British, was sent back to Germany, where Mordechai was forcibly removed. About a year later, with the establishment of Israel, he was able to immigrate, and over the years he lived in Jerusalem, working as a revered mathematics teacher.

A significant event that left a mark on me:

"While in Siberia, Passover of 1941 arrived. My father managed to get a package of 3 matzahs from a fellow Jew and announced that he and my older brother would eat them, while the rest of the family would have to eat chametz. The truth was, we didn't even have chametz, yet we all burst into tears and said we wouldn't do it. That year's Seder night in Siberia, despite being ill, was the happiest I can remember. We had no wine, not even tea, but throughout the night, we joyously sang the Haggadah. The next day, a non-Jewish woman appeared at our door, bringing a bucket of potatoes, a valuable commodity in our reality. My sister promised her a dress she had sewn before the war and asked if she could bring more. Amazingly, she returned the next day with another bucket of potatoes. My sister asked if she could also bring flour, and to our surprise, she did. We took a gear from a clock we had, and during the intermediate days baked matzahs from that flour, perforating them as required. For me, it was a great miracle, and when I tell this to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I assure them that I believe that woman was Elijah the Prophet."

Something I'm glad I did in my life:

"The privilege to immigrate to Israel and live in a country where Jews reside. At the outbreak of the Holocaust, we endured so much persecution, only Jews in exile could experience. I still remember a German soldier arriving on a bicycle in our town, announcing the German occupation of Poland. We were all required to gather in the town square and sign that we were leaving voluntarily. All the Jews in the town were expelled, and along our journey, our possessions were looted. At first, it was the Germans who took valuables, and then Polish bandits assaulted us en route. We reached an area not controlled by any government, and there too, the Poles attacked us. At that time, my father cut my sidelocks, concerned that the non-Jews might do it cruelly. My brothers were taken for menial labor, and we could never return home. We crossed to the Russian side of Poland, from where we were deported to Siberia, which essentially saved us from the Holocaust. However, years later, when asked if I'd like to visit Poland, I replied, only if I could hit the 'scoundrels' who pulled my sidelocks."

Something I regret:

"I regret nothing. On the contrary, the tough experiences shaped our lives. Especially on the "Exodus" immigrant ship, we felt we were founding the State of Israel. We endured hardship and hunger there, but the public attention generated by our resolute stance against the British was one of the steps promoting the state's establishment, and I'm proud of it."

A significant insight I gained in life:

"Always adhere to principles and never give up, all with faith. It reminds me of Rosh Hashanah in Siberia, in 1941. The men worked in logging, and the women had to burn the branches. When the holy holiday arrived, no Jew went to work, and we children didn't go to school. Work managers promptly came to investigate and ordered us to continue work as usual. I saw a soldier emerge from the hut, crying with emotion, seeing Jews who, despite the communist regime, still clung to their faith. Later, N.K.V.D officers came on horseback to investigate the situation. They inquired who organized the 'demonstration' that led no one to work. They even interrogated the children, and we told them it was Rosh Hashanah. When an N.K.V.D officer asked me who told me that, I replied that this holiday occurs every year, and I didn't need anyone to tell me. We explained to him that just as Russia celebrates May 1st, the Russian Revolution day, we Jews have our own holiday. Beyond that, the N.K.V.D could do nothing to us since we were already in Siberia, and only my uncle was detained for a few days before being released. I learned there to stand firmly on our Jewish faith, despite all difficulties."

A person who left a strong impression on me:

"Mordechai Rozman, leader of the "Exodus" immigrant ship, where we attempted to reach Israel. In Germany, we organized for immigration, and upon the ship's departure to Israel, I, my brother, and my little sister were aboard. Once near Israel's coast, six British destroyers surrounded us, but we hoped to get close to Israel's territorial waters, which the large destroyers couldn't reach. As time passed, we realized the British wouldn't relent, and an order was given for those who could swim to do so and for others to try to fight. We thought worst-case, we'd be sent to Cyprus. When the British boarded the ship, fierce battles broke out, many were wounded, and three of ours died. We had no choice but to surrender, and the British took us to Haifa, then onto three British cargo ships. Onboard, we lay on the iron floor, refusing to eat the non-kosher food offered. To our astonishment, we were sent back to France and asked to disembark, but Mordechai, whom we greatly admired, told the French we'd only disembark in Haifa. His steadfastness left a deep impression on me. For several weeks, we fiercely fought for our right to land in Israel, which stirred waves worldwide and was another step in the British regime's withdrawal. Finally, we were forcibly disembarked in Germany, and a year later, with Israel's establishment, we were able to immigrate."

What I wish to leave in the world:

"I wish to leave my life story for future generations, so they understand and learn from it."

Do you have a grandparent who would like to share their experiences and insights? We'd love for you to write to us, and we'll get back to you: support@htv.co.il