Object numberM2018/018:027
DescriptionPostcard from Hungarian Jewish forced labourer Jeno Spitzer to Ilona Sarkadi (nee Reisz). Ilona was the wife of his brother Laszlo Sarkadi (originally Spitzer).
Dated 20 August 1944, location unknown.
The postcard is addressed to the apartment in Budapest in which Ilona, her parents and sons were forced to live. It was a Yellow-Star House - part of the ghettoised network of Budapest’s compulsory Jewish residences.
Jeno is anxious to confirm the changed addresses of Ilona and other loved ones. He has received word that Laszlo - also in forced labourer - is well.
Jeno Spitzer was born in 1897 to Joszef and Etelka Spitzer. He had four siblings; Ilonka, Margitka, Piroska and Laszlo. The Spitzer family lived in Kunszentmiklos, just south of Budapest. Jeno served in World War I. His family fled their village in 1919 due to the anti-Semitic violence of the Hungarian White Terror, which culminated in a pogrom in a nearby town. They returned in 1921 to a ransacked house. The family rebuilt, and established a business trading in wheat and flour. Jeno worked as an apprentice in a timber business during the interwar period.
Jeno's mother died before World War II. He was drafted into the Jewish Labour Service, and died in forced labour at some time in late 1944 or 1945. His siblings Piroska and Laszlo were the only survivors of his immediate family.
Dated 20 August 1944, location unknown.
The postcard is addressed to the apartment in Budapest in which Ilona, her parents and sons were forced to live. It was a Yellow-Star House - part of the ghettoised network of Budapest’s compulsory Jewish residences.
Jeno is anxious to confirm the changed addresses of Ilona and other loved ones. He has received word that Laszlo - also in forced labourer - is well.
Jeno Spitzer was born in 1897 to Joszef and Etelka Spitzer. He had four siblings; Ilonka, Margitka, Piroska and Laszlo. The Spitzer family lived in Kunszentmiklos, just south of Budapest. Jeno served in World War I. His family fled their village in 1919 due to the anti-Semitic violence of the Hungarian White Terror, which culminated in a pogrom in a nearby town. They returned in 1921 to a ransacked house. The family rebuilt, and established a business trading in wheat and flour. Jeno worked as an apprentice in a timber business during the interwar period.
Jeno's mother died before World War II. He was drafted into the Jewish Labour Service, and died in forced labour at some time in late 1944 or 1945. His siblings Piroska and Laszlo were the only survivors of his immediate family.
Production placeHungary
Production date 1944-08-20 - 1944-08-20
SubjectYellow-Star Houses, forced labour, forced labour camps, labourers, loved ones' final contacts, separation, family life
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Techniquehandwritten
Dimensions
- length: 154.00 mm
width: 105.00 mm
Language
- Hungarian Checked 20.08.1944
From
Name: Jeno Spitzer
Rank: [ILLEGIBLE]
Camp mail number: .742
Post stamp dated 22.08.1944
To: Ignacz Reisz
59 Vorosmarty Street
III/22 [floor 3 / apartment 22]
Budapest
Aug 20 1944
My Dear Ilus, Letting you know that I am alright. I am very anxious because I am not getting any news from you and the cards sent to Csepel come back marked “moved”. My dear Ilus please write as soon as my card arrives about yourself and the people from Csepel, because this insecurity is very difficult. I understand through a comrade of Laszlo’s that he is in a good place. Lots of love to everyone. Jenö
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ester Sarkadi-Clarke