Object numberM2018/066:008a
DescriptionTwo pairs of opera binoculars, with mother of pearl inlay and intricate trim along the top and bottom of the inlay. One pair belonged to Matilda Zollner, the sister of Judy’s paternal grandfather, Rudolph, and the other to her grandmother’s brother Joseph. Both were purchased in Carlsbad, Czechoslovakia. Matilda and her husband Albert, as well as Joseph and his wife were murdered by the Nazis in late 1944.
Irene Goldstein (nee Bleyer) was born in Miskolc, Hungary in 1901 to Rudolf and Anna Bleyer. She married Karoly Szametz, and they welcomed their daughter Judy, on 7 September 1924. Irene and Karoly divorced in 1926 and in 1937 she married Sandor Goldstein.
In 1944, the Goldstein family were evicted from their apartment and sent to live in a 10 room villa with several other Jewish families. Both Judy and Sandor were transported to forced labour camps. Irene and her mother, Anna Bleyer, remained at home and forced to work at a brick factor; eventually Anna secured a Wallenberg Schutzpass and survived in a Swedish safe house. Judy was eventually transported from the country to Budapest and reunited with her mother at the brick factory. In mid-1944, they were forced to march for six weeks toward the Austrian border. During a bombing raid the two women escaped and made their way back to Budapest. They managed to secure false identity papers and live in hiding as Catholics until the end of WWII. Sandor Goldstein survived. Irene’s first husband and Judy’s biological father never returned from forced labour.
In 1956, Judy, her husband George Vall (previous Wohl) and their 12 year old daughter, fled during the Hungarian Revolution and immigrated to Australia. Irene passed away in in 1993; she was 92 years old.
Irene Goldstein (nee Bleyer) was born in Miskolc, Hungary in 1901 to Rudolf and Anna Bleyer. She married Karoly Szametz, and they welcomed their daughter Judy, on 7 September 1924. Irene and Karoly divorced in 1926 and in 1937 she married Sandor Goldstein.
In 1944, the Goldstein family were evicted from their apartment and sent to live in a 10 room villa with several other Jewish families. Both Judy and Sandor were transported to forced labour camps. Irene and her mother, Anna Bleyer, remained at home and forced to work at a brick factor; eventually Anna secured a Wallenberg Schutzpass and survived in a Swedish safe house. Judy was eventually transported from the country to Budapest and reunited with her mother at the brick factory. In mid-1944, they were forced to march for six weeks toward the Austrian border. During a bombing raid the two women escaped and made their way back to Budapest. They managed to secure false identity papers and live in hiding as Catholics until the end of WWII. Sandor Goldstein survived. Irene’s first husband and Judy’s biological father never returned from forced labour.
In 1956, Judy, her husband George Vall (previous Wohl) and their 12 year old daughter, fled during the Hungarian Revolution and immigrated to Australia. Irene passed away in in 1993; she was 92 years old.
Subjectmusic, Holocaust, victims, Australian Jewish history
Object namebinoculars
Materialmetal, glass, mother of pearl
Dimensions
- length: 62.00 mm
width: 100.00 mm
height: 37.00 mm
length: 50.00 mm
width: 100.00 mm
height: 37.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Judy Vall