Cynus

Accidental Talmudist Willem Arondeus was a Dutch resistance fighter who gave his life trying to protect his Jewish countrymen from the Nazis. Born in Amsterdam in 1895, Willem was one of six children. From a young age, he was a talented artist and his parents encouraged his creativity, until he came out as homosexual at age 17. In a time when nearly all gay people were in the closet, Willem’s parents could not accept his choice to live openly. Their rejection led Willem to run away from home. On his own, Willem took odd jobs and eventually became a successful visual artist and writer. He was commissioned to paint a mural for Rotterdam’s town hall, in a style that combined modern abstract painting with a traditional Dutch motif. Willem was a well-respected author who published a popular biography of Dutch painter and political activist Matthijs Maris. In 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands. Willem immediately joined the resistance movement, and urged his fellow artists to fight against the Nazi occupation. WIllem published illegal anti-Nazi pamphlets calling for mass resistance against the Germans. Willem was especially committed to saving Amsterdam’s Jewish community. Bringing in others to the cause, Willem arranged for Dutch Jews to be hidden in people's homes. He used his artistic skills to create false identity papers. In 1943, Willem hatched a brazen plan. Dressed as a German Army captain, and with 15 men behind him, Willem boldly marched into the Public Record Office, where lists identifying people as Jews were kept. Willem drugged the guards and planted a firebomb. The resulting blaze destroyed tens of thousands of documents, and delayed or prevented many Jews from being identified by the Nazis. Unfortunately, Willem was captured by the Germans and sentenced to death. Willem's last words before being executed in July, 1943 were, "Let it be known that homosexuals are not cowards.” In 1986 Yad Vashem recognized Arondeus as Righteous Among the Nations. Because of his sexual orientation, Willem’s story was omitted from Dutch history books. Only in the last 20 years has his courage become widely known. For his efforts to save lives at the expense of his own, we honor Willem Arondeus as this week’s Thursday Hero at Accidental Talmudist.

Despite the fact that he's running off on his own terms, Silas is ALWAYS careful.

That's all I was able to ask of him while writing it.

This part was written somewhat from my own experience. I mean, I wasn't going off to face some homophobic preacher, but there was a time where I was going to do something life-threatening, and I knew that the people I left behind wouldn't understand why I was doing it, or why I didn't tell them. What I'm getting at is that I've written that kind of letter before, and more than once. This chapter is probably the point where Silas and I are the most alike.

Sorry, but cliffhangers are going to be the norm up through the end. I've got to keep you on the edge of your seat, don't I? I think that if there is doubt in the letter, it's not in his course of action, just in his ability to actually pull it off. He's covering his bases, which is something he's always been exceptional at.

Well, we'll find out soon enough. Chapter 23 is going to be here soon, and then all will be revealed. Well, maybe not all, but certainly some questions will be answered. I like to think of this moment as the time that Silas really figured out who he was, and he's going to take his own way, no matter the potential consequences.

"Thank god you guys are all right," Adam said as he opened the passenger door to his car. Adelaide nearly jumped into Silas' arms but Silas slipped into the car immediately afterward and pulled Adelaide up into the space between his legs. Tara and Chelsea climbed into the back and Adam turned his headlights on and started driving. The group was silent for several minutes until Silas decided to speak up. "We have to trick him. It's the last thing we have left. Pastor Gregory didn't know anyth

We'll be there soon. I've got to tease you for another chapter though. Sorry, everyone.

You know the great thing about cliffs? Silas is an outdoorsman and excellent climber.

It's reviews like that which tell me to get working on the sequel.

25 1/2 hours as of the time of this reply and counting. It'll be there, and hopefully worth the wait.

Having been in a long distance relationship before, Brady's waiting was written directly from experience. Can't tell you if he gets there in time or not yet, but Silas definitely isn't back in the woods yet (See what I did there? Because Silas of all people is SAFER in the woods, not out of them, haha!)

Aw yeah... glad I could keep you all on the edge of your seats. Don't worry, it will all be over soon.

Getting on and getting off. All in creepy ways.

Or would him knowing that they know prevent them from getting to the bottom of what happened to Daniel. There's a lot to consider.

Or would him knowing that they know prevent them from getting to the bottom of what happened to Daniel. There's a lot to consider.

The next chapter will set the tone for the final scenes. It's going to be a crazy ride, especially once we hit chapter 23.

“Braids, are you going to sit there staring at your phone all day, or are you going to come to the show with us?” Theo sat down on the bed next to Brady and reached for the phone, but Brady was quick to snatch it away and shoot Theo a dirty look. “He said he would call this morning, and it’s almost one,” Brady growled. “You can’t blame me for worrying.” “Sure we can,” Stacey said with a roll of her eyes. “Especially since you’re lagging behind and are going to make us miss the show; a sh

I'm definitely looking forward to this. Fantastic start and I can't wait to see how it progresses from here. Nearly everyone I've ever loved has taken debate (My family and people I've dated, lol) But I never had the chance. Must be exciting though.

I found it! Apparently it wasn't with the chapter reviews, so that's why I couldn't find it before. I'm glad that you found the story enjoyable, and that a little delving into my philosophy didn't scar you too much.

Indeed. Unfortunately, they were a bit preoccupied with their fear of getting caught.

I like to think that the only reason Tara and Chelsea agreed not to tell the adults was by getting Silas to agree to let them help. That probably should have been written in, though, so I guess I've learned for next time. Lock picking is a hobby of mine. Not theft of course, just the challenge of getting through the obstacle. I haven't written it before now, but I enjoyed doing so.

I've been taught how to pick locks in the past, and I intend to write a character at some point that uses that skill a bit more often. This scene was practice for that.

As many churches do . . . They need more C.S. Lewis type thinking in their life.

So many questions, and I'm excited to say that at least most of them have answers that will be revealed in time. Don't worry, we're approaching the end of The Navigator, and I think most things wrapped up nicely.