What Happens to Josef in Refugee: A Detailed Look at His Journey and Fate
Refugee by Alan Gratz weaves together three harrowing stories of young people fleeing violence across different eras. One of those threads follows Josef Landau, a twelve‑year‑old Jewish boy living in Nazi‑controlled Germany in 1938. Josef’s narrative is a sobering reminder of how quickly ordinary lives can be shattered by hatred, bureaucracy, and indifference. Below is a step‑by‑step account of what happens to Josef from the night his father is taken away to the tragic end of his story, together with the broader historical context that shapes his experience.
Introduction
Josef Landau’s tale begins in the German city of Berlin, where his family enjoys a modest but stable life as owners of a tailor shop. The rise of Adolf Hitler and the enactment of anti‑Jewish laws soon erode that stability. Day to day, when Josef’s father, Aaron Landau, is arrested during Kristallnacht (the “Night of Broken Glass”), Josef, his mother Rachel, and his younger sister Ruth embark on a desperate voyage aboard the ocean liner MS St. Louis, hoping to find safety in Cuba. What follows is a cascade of hope, betrayal, and loss that ultimately leads Josef to a fate shared by millions of Jewish children during the Holocaust.
Quick note before moving on.
Josef’s Background: Life Before the War
- Family dynamics – Josef is the eldest child; he looks up to his father, a skilled tailor, and feels protective of his mother and sister.
- Cultural identity – The Landau family observes Jewish traditions, celebrating Shabbat and holidays, which later become both a source of comfort and a target of persecution.
- Early signs of danger – In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws strip Jews of citizenship and forbid marriage or relations with non‑Jews. Josef notices his friends drifting away and hears whispers of “the final solution” in hushed adult conversations.
These details set the stage for the Landau family’s sudden plunge into crisis when the state‑sanctioned violence of Kristallnacht erupts.
The Night of Broken Glass: Aaron’s Arrest
On November 9‑10, 1938, Nazi paramilitaries and sympathetic civilians rampage through Jewish neighborhoods, smashing windows, looting stores, and setting synagogues ablaze.
- Aaron’s detention – Josef watches as SS officers drag his father from their apartment, shouting accusations of “economic sabotage.” Aaron is taken to Dachau, the first Nazi concentration camp, where he endures brutal forced labor and humiliation.
- Family’s immediate reaction – Rachel, terrified but resolute, decides that the only way to save Aaron is to secure his release through bribery and influence. She uses the family’s savings and contacts a corrupt official who promises to free Aaron for a substantial sum.
- The bargain – After a tense night of negotiation, Aaron is released on the condition that the family leave Germany immediately. This conditional freedom propels the Landau’s onto the St. Louis, setting the stage for their ill‑fated Atlantic crossing.
The St. Louis Voyage: Hope on the High Seas
The MS St. Louis departs Hamburg on May 13, 1939, carrying over 900 Jewish refugees, including Josef, Rachel, Ruth, and Aaron.
- Life aboard – For a brief period, the ship feels like a floating sanctuary. Josef attends makeshift school lessons organized by fellow passengers, celebrates a modest Passover Seder, and befriends other children who share his fear and longing for safety.
- Aaron’s role – Having just been freed, Aaron works as a tailor on board, repairing uniforms and earning modest wages that help the family purchase extra food rations.
- The turning point – As the ship approaches Havana, Cuban officials revoke the refugees’ landing permits, citing political pressure and anti‑immigrant sentiment. The Landau family, along with hundreds of others, is told they cannot disembark.
Denial and Return to Europe
After being refused entry in Cuba, the St. Louis sails toward the United States, hoping for asylum That's the part that actually makes a difference..
- U.S. rejection – Despite pleas from Jewish organizations and sympathetic politicians, the U.S. State Department upholds its strict immigration quotas, citing national security concerns. The ship is ordered to turn back.
- European return – With no viable options in the Americas, the captain steers the vessel back to Europe. The refugees are dispersed among several countries
