The humiliation of the victims

The year is 1941. The Sokolow Ghetto has not yet been closed. German soldiers torment three Jewish citizens. On the right is Shachne Rubinstein, in the middle - unknown, on the left - Brish Rubinstein, the son of Shachne. Shachne was born in 1854 in Radzyń. His wife, Matle Friedman, was from Sokolow Podlaski. Brish was born in 1880 in Sokolow. They died in the Ghetto. Shachne had 8 children.

Pictures such as this, which display the power of the Nazis and the humiliation of their victims, were taken often in Polish towns and cities by the occupying forces as mementos. The strong unite against the weak. The smiles and laughter on the faces of soldiers suggest they are proud of themselves. The victims display fear. They know they are powerless to stop the humiliation. They know they can be killed at any moment.

 

Courtesy of Shraga Katz