to strengthen their bond, and feel even stronger. There must be more we can do here, he thought one day, as he lay in the sun close to the river. Behind him, the younger children were playing a wild game of soccer, running from one end of the field to the other, shouting and shoving one another playfully. Playing sports is fine – but how long can we continue to just play, thought Ruda. We’re smarter than that. We may not be able to go to school, but everyone here has a brain and should use it well. Besides, the warm summer days will soon end and it will be too cold to come here. Then what will we all do every day? How will we stay connected to each other?
And then, one day in August 1940, the answer came to him. Ruda had been a talented writer in school. Reading and writing stories had been the activities he enjoyed most. Writing would be the perfect way to continue to use his mind, to provide an outlet for his energy and creativity. But this time, he would write not only for himself. He would write for the other young people at the swimming hole. He would start a newspaper – a magazine that would prove that Jewish youth could do more than just play. He would encourage the community, especially the children, to band together and use their imaginations.
The next time he came to the playground, he brought an old typewriter from home. Luckily, it still worked. He also brought some paper. Hetook them into the old shack, and sat down and thought. First of all, he wanted to introduce the newspaper to the others and explain its purpose. He needed to convince them that there was a better way to spend their time.
He sat down at the typewriter and wrote this introduction:
Since we’ve exhausted every type of entertainment that can be done at our beautiful swimming area, I want to outline a few words about those who come every day, and add a few witty remarks about them.
Then he went to work, listing the names of all the young people who came to the swimming hole every day, and trying to think of something interesting to say about each one of them.
Karel Freund is the terror of the swimming hole. He shouts and threatens everyone.… We warn you not to ride a bicycle with him.
John Freund is better than his brother, Karel, though he is a menace to others; he prevented an accident on a nearby railroad bridge.
Anka Frenklova likes to eat, as demonstrated by her spreading waistline.
Irena Stadler has become like a mother to all the girls, both small and older.…
Dascha and Rita Holzer are faithful visitors to the swimming hole.…
Herta Freed is a clever girl who knows many languages.…
Suzu Kulkova is an easy-going girl whose heart belongs to Uli, the soccer player.… She is also an excellent rugby goalkeeper.
The first edition of Klepy was three pages long. Ruda listed the names of the young people who came out to the swimming hole and wrote something witty about each of them.
Ruda worked alone, telling no one what he was doing. He kept to himself, writing and thinking about his mission. He wondered if people would take it seriously. He even wondered if some people might be offended by his remarks about them. In his first editorial, he wrote:
This newspaper was created by Ruda Stadler. I’m the only one responsible for its content. If people don’t like it, or are insulted, they should contact me.
I’ll write one edition of the paper and see what happens, he thought. If no one likes it, I’ll forget about doing any more. He gathered information like an investigative reporter, and compiled what he learned into three typed pages.
Next, he gave some thought to a name for the paper. He wanted to keep it light. Finally, he decided to call it Klepy, Czech for “gossip.” It was the perfect title.
On August 30, 1940, Ruda produced the first edition of Klepy. He made only one copy. It was difficult enough to do that; it would be impossible to duplicate it. He decided that he would circulate the newspaper toall the young
And then, one day in August 1940, the answer came to him. Ruda had been a talented writer in school. Reading and writing stories had been the activities he enjoyed most. Writing would be the perfect way to continue to use his mind, to provide an outlet for his energy and creativity. But this time, he would write not only for himself. He would write for the other young people at the swimming hole. He would start a newspaper – a magazine that would prove that Jewish youth could do more than just play. He would encourage the community, especially the children, to band together and use their imaginations.
The next time he came to the playground, he brought an old typewriter from home. Luckily, it still worked. He also brought some paper. Hetook them into the old shack, and sat down and thought. First of all, he wanted to introduce the newspaper to the others and explain its purpose. He needed to convince them that there was a better way to spend their time.
He sat down at the typewriter and wrote this introduction:
Since we’ve exhausted every type of entertainment that can be done at our beautiful swimming area, I want to outline a few words about those who come every day, and add a few witty remarks about them.
Then he went to work, listing the names of all the young people who came to the swimming hole every day, and trying to think of something interesting to say about each one of them.
Karel Freund is the terror of the swimming hole. He shouts and threatens everyone.… We warn you not to ride a bicycle with him.
John Freund is better than his brother, Karel, though he is a menace to others; he prevented an accident on a nearby railroad bridge.
Anka Frenklova likes to eat, as demonstrated by her spreading waistline.
Irena Stadler has become like a mother to all the girls, both small and older.…
Dascha and Rita Holzer are faithful visitors to the swimming hole.…
Herta Freed is a clever girl who knows many languages.…
Suzu Kulkova is an easy-going girl whose heart belongs to Uli, the soccer player.… She is also an excellent rugby goalkeeper.
The first edition of Klepy was three pages long. Ruda listed the names of the young people who came out to the swimming hole and wrote something witty about each of them.
Ruda worked alone, telling no one what he was doing. He kept to himself, writing and thinking about his mission. He wondered if people would take it seriously. He even wondered if some people might be offended by his remarks about them. In his first editorial, he wrote:
This newspaper was created by Ruda Stadler. I’m the only one responsible for its content. If people don’t like it, or are insulted, they should contact me.
I’ll write one edition of the paper and see what happens, he thought. If no one likes it, I’ll forget about doing any more. He gathered information like an investigative reporter, and compiled what he learned into three typed pages.
Next, he gave some thought to a name for the paper. He wanted to keep it light. Finally, he decided to call it Klepy, Czech for “gossip.” It was the perfect title.
On August 30, 1940, Ruda produced the first edition of Klepy. He made only one copy. It was difficult enough to do that; it would be impossible to duplicate it. He decided that he would circulate the newspaper toall the young
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