Turtledove
Advertisement
Feldrabbiner
Fictional Character
"Zigeuner"
POD: c. 1914
Type of Appearance: Direct (unnamed)
Nationality: Germany (born in Kingdom of Bavaria)
Date of Birth: Late 19th century
Religion: Judaism
Occupation: Rabbi
Military Branch: Wehrmacht
(World War II)

A Feldrabbiner (or Field Rabbi) in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary observed SS Haupsturmführer Joseph Stieglitz oversee the deportation of a village of Zigeuner to Poland. Realizing Stieglitz was also a Jew, the rabbi approached Stieglitz. He suggested Stieglitz count his blessings, reminding him that the Jews had been just as oppressed as the Zigeuner. Hitler could have easily persecuted the Jews as he did the Zigeuner, in which case Stieglitz could as easily have been boarding the death train.

Angry, Stieglitz reminded the Feldrabbiner that they were both good Germans, and that if the Feldrabbiner continued to speak this way, Stieglitz would turn him over to the Sicherheitsdienst. Cowed, the Feldrabbiner retreated, and Stieglitz lit a cigarette.[1]

References[]

  1. Asimov's Science Fiction, September/October, 2017, Vol. 41 Nos. 9 & 10, pg. 100.
Advertisement