Step into a hidden portal with Adam and Aliyah as they are whisked away from their synagogue to a pivotal moment in history. This moving tale follows two modern teens as they witness the bravery of the Kindertransport and learn the true meaning of compassion and justice. A captivating blend of time-travel adventure and historical tribute that honors the resilience of the human spirit.
In a warm, sunlit classroom, Mrs. Jessica looks at her watch with a puzzled expression while Adam and Aliyah burst through the door, breathless and wide-eyed. They look like they have just stepped out of another world, their faces filled with a mix of shock and wonder as they start to tell their story.
Earlier that morning, the two teens stand in a quiet hallway next to the Beit Midrash, staring at a mysterious wooden door. Despite the bold sign that reads ADAM AND ALIYAH DO NOT ENTER, Aliyah gives a mischievous grin and prepares to push a nervous Adam into the dark maintenance closet.
As the closet door shuts, the mundane surroundings vanish into a whirlwind of light and shadow, transporting the two friends across time and space. They tumble out into a cold, cavernous space filled with the smell of coal smoke and the echoing whistles of steam engines.
They find themselves standing on the bustling platform of Kings Cross Station in 1930s London, beneath a massive iron-and-glass roof. A vintage wooden sign hangs above them, confirming they are far from home and deep in the past, surrounded by the sights and sounds of history.
Dozens of children sit on wooden benches or stand in small groups, each wearing a cardboard tag tied with string around their neck. The atmosphere is heavy with a quiet, somber sadness as the children clutch their small suitcases, looking lost in the vast, busy station.
Adam reaches out to tap a young boy on the shoulder to ask for help, but his hand moves right through the air as if he were a shadow. He realizes that they are invisible witnesses to history, unable to change the past but present enough to feel the weight of the children's journey.
Aliyah watches as kind-faced strangers greet the arriving children with warm blankets and gentle smiles, representing the people who opened their homes to those in need. She explains to Adam how thousands of lives were saved by the selfless acts of ordinary people who chose to do what was right.
The scene shifts to a poignant memory of children looking out of train windows, waving goodbye to parents they might never see again. The little numbered tags around their necks stand out as symbols of both their survival and the deep sacrifice made by the families they left behind.
Suddenly, the teens are back in their own time, standing in the synagogue social hall next to a table piled high with bagels and lox. They excitedly show their parents and teachers the old book Run and Hide, pointing to pictures that match exactly what they just saw at the train station.
As the lesson of tzedakah and justice sinks in, the parents settle into their seats to listen to the presentation. Adam finally takes a large, relieved bite of a cream cheese bagel, knowing they have shared a story of courage that must never be forgotten.
make a story about two teens that go back in time to see the kindertransport WE WENT ON AN ADVENTURE A PLAY BY ADAM AND ALIYAH Mrs. Jessica asks about where we are at 9:10 and talks about how we were supposed to be in class. Then Aliyah and Adam start banging on the door. Both Oh my, WE, WE WENT on an adventure! (Everyone looks confused) Aliyah That was crazy, I mean I’ve heard stories, but that was so… different Adam I mean, that was crazy Those kids were brave and … I think we time traveled. Did we miss anything here? Is there anything to eat? I’m hungry. Aliyah Well, do you guys want to know what we saw? Parents agree. The kids stand by the food table. They put up the pictures on the board. Adam So, me and Aliyah we went on a quick walk, you know, to see Cantor about Confirmation Class next year. Oh look, there’s lox and bagels. (He points to the food.) Aliyah I’m not hungry. We saw this door next to the Beit Midrash that says, “ADAM AND ALIYAH DO NOT ENTER” But since when do we do what a sign says. I mean Adam was a little hesitant, but I got him to go in. Adam Yeah, you pushed me. Into the maintenance closet. Aliyah Whatever. Adam So, after Aliyah pushed me into the closet (side eye Aliyah ) It’s like we teleported. Or time travelled. Aliyah Adam! It’s not like we teleported we did teleport! Adam Fine, we did teleport. Or time travelled. What’s the difference? Aliyah We were in a train station filled with kids. Adam Kings Cross station, to be exact. Aliyah Wait, how did you know that? Adam There was a sign. It said, “Kings Cross”. Aliyah Yeah, yeah, ok. Adam We were both super confused and all these kids looked so lost and upset so finally after thinking a little we remembered this station from a picture Miss Jessica showed us, is it OK if I have a bagel? I’m hungry. Aliyah: And I was like, “Oh My Gosh Adam this is the station from the Run and Hide book, the station in England! These must be the kids from the Kindertransport.” Adam The Kindertransport happened in the 1930’s before the war began, and Jews were still able to send their children to safety in England, where the children lived with English families. About 10,000 children were saved by the Kindertransport. Aliyah Yes! The British government said Jewish kids could come to Britain if it didn’t cost the government any money. Ordinary British people gave their own money to help, both Jews and non-Jews. Today we call the non-Jews who helped save the Jews “righteous Gentiles”. Adam The children travelled by boat and by train. Many of them were alone. Some were with their brothers or sisters. Aliyah All the kids had little tags with numbers around their necks, so their assigned sponsors could identify them when they got to Britain. Adam I remember that picture! Here it is. (He picks up the book and shows the picture to the parents.) We tried to go and talk to one of the kids but it’s like they couldn’t even see us. I tried waving or tapping them on the shoulder but none of them responded. I think they couldn’t see us because we weren’t really there. Aliyah It sure seemed like we were there. You know, Adam, those kids were the lucky ones. They got out before the war and before Hitler made it impossible for Jews to escape to safety. The people in England who founded Kindertransport did a great act of tzedakah. Adam That’s right. They showed compassion and offered aid to people they did not know, but to people who were in great danger. They performed an act of justice, which is another meaning of the word tzedakah. Aliyah About 10,000 children were saved, and most of them never saw their parents again. Here are some pictures of the children leaving their parents, in Run and Hide. Adam The war started on September 1, 1939, and from the start the Germans wouldn’t let any Jews leave without proper papers and paying lots of money. Aliyah And Germany started bombing Britain, so it wasn’t safe to go there anymore. Run and Hide tells how some Jewish children were able to escape to safety with the help of their parents, friends, neighbors, some of whom risked their own lives to help the Jews. While Aliyah is talking, Adam helps himself to a bagel and schemers it with cream cheese. Children were hidden in basements, in churches, behind false walls, in barns with animals, in all kinds of places. Some children who didn’t look Jewish escaped by pretending they were German. She holds up the book Run and Hide. This is an incredible, unbelievable story. Aliyah looks at Adam and asks, Are you going to eat that whole bagel? Adam Yes, I am. And I think that we should get started on our program for this morning. The kids get their parents to sit down, and Miss Jessica takes over for a few minutes while they have bagels.
