Berlin to Israel: Chronological Order

Winter, 1940: Departure from Berlin The journey began in the autumn of 1940 when the first groups of children left Germany.

1941 – July 1942: Lesno Brdo, Slovenia The group spent time in Slovenia at a site called Lesno Brdo under the command of Josip Črno before the escalation of the war forced them to flee into Italy.

July 1942 – September 1943: Nonantola, Italy The group lived at Villa Emma, engaging in agricultural work and vocational training.

July 25, 1943: The Fall of Mussolini At 7:00 AM, the group received news that Mussolini had been toppled, leading to a brief period of celebration in the village square.

July 27, 1943: Arrival of German Soldiers Following the political shift, Nazi forces arrived in Nonantola and occupied the school building across from Villa Emma.

September 8, 1943: The Armistice An armistice was signed between the Italian government and the Allied forces. On this night, the Germans officially began the occupation of northern Italy.

September 9, 1943: Move to the Monastery Due to the immediate danger, the children were evacuated from Villa Emma and hidden in the local Catholic monastery (Abbazia) and nearby barns.

Late September 1943: Reconnaissance for Switzerland A man named Pacifici (Cicibio) arrived with information about a safe crossing at Ponte Tresa. Indig and Cicibio traveled ahead to inspect the route.

October 1943: The Escape to the Border The group departed Nonantola by train, hiding overnight in an underground public restroom in Milan before reaching Varese and finally the border town of Ponte Tresa.

Yom Kippur (Night of Kol Nidrei), 1943: Crossing into Switzerland Under the cover of darkness, the group waded through the Tresa River and crossed the wire fence into Switzerland.

Post-Crossing, 1943: Swiss Internment After several days of uncertainty and the threat of being sent back, the Swiss Confederation officially granted the group permission to remain on Swiss soil.

1945: Arrival at Eretz: Following the end of the war, the group fulfilled their vow and reached Eretz Israel. Sonja joined Mayan Zvi.