RIGHTEOUS AND COURAGEOUS

Alone again, Sugihara wandered around his office, hands clasped behind his back.  He looked out the back window onto the peaceful vista of his small Japanese garden, hoping for some inspiration.  He couldn’t bring himself to look at the desperate refugees framed in the front window.  The horror stories in Poland haunted him because he knew that without his help, these Jewish refugees would suffer the same fate.  The arrival of the Nazis in Lithuania was just a matter of time.  Their lives were in his hands.  What would happen to his diplomatic career if he issued the transit visas against orders and all those Jews showed up at the Japanese border?  The consul shook his head, thinking out loud.  “It’s my career against their lives.  Lord, give me the courage to act.  Would I dishonor my samurai family name if I turn my back on these people?  Would I truly be serving my emperor if I abandoned them?  After all, hasn’t the emperor told us time and again that we must alleviate the suffering of the downtrodden?  Hasn’t Emperor Hirohito himself applied this philosophy to the unfortunates in Asia?  Shall I obey the orders of my superiors or follow my conscience?  What would the emperor do under the same circumstances?”  Sugihara sighed.  Questions, questions, questions and no answers.

When Portnoy eyes met those of the vice-consul’s, the American diplomat looked away.  “Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear,” Portnoy said.  “If my students do not obtain visas, they will be murdered—three hundred young men— scholars and teachers.  I am not asking on behalf of criminals, vagabonds or paupers.  Please, their lives are in your hands.”  He could see the vice-consul’s exasperated expression. 

The vice-consul finally met Portnoy’s angry eyes.  “Look, Rabbi, I have my orders.  That’s all I have to say.  Now, if you will please excuse me . . .”

Portnoy stood, kicking his chair back so hard it fell over.  Glaring at the American, the rabbi leaned on the desk, his hands already balled into fists.  “Maybe for you, perhaps, but I still have plenty to say.  How dare you treat our request so cavalierly?  We come to you pleading for our lives—our lives, mind you—and you act as if you cannot be bothered with such a trivial concern.  After all, we’re only Jews.  Shame on you and shame on your American government.  You will leave Lithuania shortly for your comfortable, safe home.  Will you think about all the men, younger than you, whose lives will be forfeit by your one word, ‘no’?  I hope somewhere within your soul there is the smallest modicum of a conscience that will haunt you in your fine American life in the years to come.  I’ll say one thing for the Germans.  Their anti-Semitism is out in the open for all to see.”  Portnoy turned on his heel and stomped out.