the women from the first mass transport of Jews had been in camp for 7 weeks. Rena #1716 writes that in those early days the work was largely designed to destroy their bodies and spirits. They formed a chain gang and threw the bricks to each other until their hands bled, and the next day they were forced to return the bricks to their original spot. “The first brick slices into my hand as the sun breaks through the clouds. Pain and light. I toss it to Danka, willing it to land gently in her hand, pleading with the brick not to hurt my sister. This is useless! It hurts a lot more knowing that this work is futile, knowing that they see our labor as worthless.”
The day before there had been thunder storms and fog, but today it was mild 15-11 degrees c. with light breezes. Rena stared up at the sky and wondered “How long will this go on?”