Photograph of train at Esschen, Belgium
Object numberM2025/087:001
TitlePhotograph of train at Esschen, Belgium
DescriptionPhotograph featuring a train at Esschen, Belgium, 4 September 1937. The photograph includes (left to right): Abraham van Roojen, Rachel Zurel and David Slade.
Rachel (Chelly) Zurel and Danny Slade were engaged to be married in September 1937. In order to marry, Chelly's father, Colonel Isaac Zurel, required Danny to prove his ability to support a wife. He travelled to Sydney with his close friend, Abraham van Rooijen, who had a spice and aromatics importing business with Leo Blok, Blok van Rooyen (BVR). Chelly was not able to travel with them as an unmarried woman.
By early 1939, Danny was able to convince Isaac of his worth.
This photograph is believed to have been taken by Gerard Zurel, Chelly’s younger brother, who accompanied them and escorted his sister back to Amsterdam after Danny and Api departed for Australia.
Danny left BVR to go into a partnership with Cornelius (Kees, pronounced “Case”) van Brink, appropriately called Van Brink Slade and Company (VBS). Kees fought in WWII for the Dutch army in exile in the UK and, having been parachuted behind enemy lines, was the last surviving person to see Danny and Chelly’s parents before they were taken to Westerbork and murdered in German concentration camps.
Early in 1939, Danny had made enough money to convince Isaac Zurel that he could support Chelly as his wife in Sydney. Isaac would only permit Chelly to travel after their marriage. In those days, air travel was virtually non-existent and the logistics for Danny to travel to Amsterdam were too difficult. Chelly and Danny were married by proxy, with Chelly’s brother Gerard standing in for Danny at the civil ceremony at the Amsterdam Town Hall. The civil wedding was followed by a traditional wedding reception, with Chelly wearing her wedding dress and other guests in formal attire.
The photo below is of Chelly at the Amsterdam reception with the photo of her husband. A video of that reception is on display in the museum.
On Chelly’s arrival in Sydney in April 1939, she and Danny were married according to Jewish custom in the Great Synagogue by Rabbi L.A. Falk on April 12, 1939.
The Australian bridal party. From left: Victor and Edna Lilienthal, Abraham van Rooijen, Chelly and Danny Slade, unknown, Mazie and Cliff Pearson.
Rachel (Chelly) Zurel and Danny Slade were engaged to be married in September 1937. In order to marry, Chelly's father, Colonel Isaac Zurel, required Danny to prove his ability to support a wife. He travelled to Sydney with his close friend, Abraham van Rooijen, who had a spice and aromatics importing business with Leo Blok, Blok van Rooyen (BVR). Chelly was not able to travel with them as an unmarried woman.
By early 1939, Danny was able to convince Isaac of his worth.
This photograph is believed to have been taken by Gerard Zurel, Chelly’s younger brother, who accompanied them and escorted his sister back to Amsterdam after Danny and Api departed for Australia.
Danny left BVR to go into a partnership with Cornelius (Kees, pronounced “Case”) van Brink, appropriately called Van Brink Slade and Company (VBS). Kees fought in WWII for the Dutch army in exile in the UK and, having been parachuted behind enemy lines, was the last surviving person to see Danny and Chelly’s parents before they were taken to Westerbork and murdered in German concentration camps.
Early in 1939, Danny had made enough money to convince Isaac Zurel that he could support Chelly as his wife in Sydney. Isaac would only permit Chelly to travel after their marriage. In those days, air travel was virtually non-existent and the logistics for Danny to travel to Amsterdam were too difficult. Chelly and Danny were married by proxy, with Chelly’s brother Gerard standing in for Danny at the civil ceremony at the Amsterdam Town Hall. The civil wedding was followed by a traditional wedding reception, with Chelly wearing her wedding dress and other guests in formal attire.
The photo below is of Chelly at the Amsterdam reception with the photo of her husband. A video of that reception is on display in the museum.
On Chelly’s arrival in Sydney in April 1939, she and Danny were married according to Jewish custom in the Great Synagogue by Rabbi L.A. Falk on April 12, 1939.
The Australian bridal party. From left: Victor and Edna Lilienthal, Abraham van Rooijen, Chelly and Danny Slade, unknown, Mazie and Cliff Pearson.
Production placeBelgium
Production date 1939-09-04 - 1939-09-04
Production periodWorld War II (1939-1945)
Object namephotographs
Materialpaper
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum collection, donated by Anne Slade.
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.