The ship, St. Louis, left Hamburg, Germany on May 13, 1939. Eights days prior to the ship leaving port, carrying hundreds of Jewish refugees, Lawrence Berenson gave $125,000 to Cuba for their immigration. That same day the Cuban president declared that he wanted another $650.00.
In the meantime, the ship docked in Havana and the Jews aboard heard that no visas had yet been issued because of the money standoff.
Berenson, a man used negotiation, offered $598.00.
Forty-eight hours passed in silence before the order came to turn the boat away from the harbor.
For $52.00 the Jews died.
What do you give to save lives imperiled today?
In the meantime, the ship docked in Havana and the Jews aboard heard that no visas had yet been issued because of the money standoff.
Berenson, a man used negotiation, offered $598.00.
Forty-eight hours passed in silence before the order came to turn the boat away from the harbor.
For $52.00 the Jews died.
What do you give to save lives imperiled today?
Comments