Object numberM2018/018:063
DescriptionPrayer book given to Hungarian-Jewish forced labourer Laszlo Sarkadi by his wife Ilona. A handwritten annotation dates the book to 1 March 1943 in Csepel, Hungary, where Ilona was laying low with their two sons. Ilona writes "May God help you home as soon as possible".
Laszlo Sarkadi (originally Spitzer) was born on November 30, 1907 in the village of Kunszentmiklos, south of Budapest. Laszlo married Ilona Reisz, the daughter of a prominent local family, in 1934. They had three children – Joseph (b. 1934) Stephen (b. 1938), and Emily (b. 1947).
Laszlo was conscripted into the Hungarian army prior to World War II. During the war, he was drafted into the Jewish Labour Service. He spent the majority of the war years separated from his family, working in brutal conditions. Laszlo managed to escape from forced labour, deportation and almost-certain death as the war drew to a close. He was reunited with his wife and children in Budapest in early 1945. Laszlo and his sister Piroska were the only members of their immediate family who survived the Holocaust.
The Sarkadis rebuilt their lives in Budapest after the war, but were eventually persecuted by the Communist government, having their property in the city and Kunszentmiklos confiscated.
In 1958, Laszlo, Ilona, their children, and Ilona's mother Margit migrated to Melbourne, Australia. They operated a restaurant from 1960 to 1963.
Following Laszlo’s death in 1986, Ilona moved to Sydney. She outlived both of her sons, who died young of misadventure and illness.
Ilona Sarkadi passed away on 19 October 2010 in Sydney.
Laszlo Sarkadi (originally Spitzer) was born on November 30, 1907 in the village of Kunszentmiklos, south of Budapest. Laszlo married Ilona Reisz, the daughter of a prominent local family, in 1934. They had three children – Joseph (b. 1934) Stephen (b. 1938), and Emily (b. 1947).
Laszlo was conscripted into the Hungarian army prior to World War II. During the war, he was drafted into the Jewish Labour Service. He spent the majority of the war years separated from his family, working in brutal conditions. Laszlo managed to escape from forced labour, deportation and almost-certain death as the war drew to a close. He was reunited with his wife and children in Budapest in early 1945. Laszlo and his sister Piroska were the only members of their immediate family who survived the Holocaust.
The Sarkadis rebuilt their lives in Budapest after the war, but were eventually persecuted by the Communist government, having their property in the city and Kunszentmiklos confiscated.
In 1958, Laszlo, Ilona, their children, and Ilona's mother Margit migrated to Melbourne, Australia. They operated a restaurant from 1960 to 1963.
Following Laszlo’s death in 1986, Ilona moved to Sydney. She outlived both of her sons, who died young of misadventure and illness.
Ilona Sarkadi passed away on 19 October 2010 in Sydney.
Production placeCsepel, Budapest, Hungary
Production date 1943-03-01
Subjectreligious observance, Religion in War, separation, forced labour camps, forced labour, prayer books, prayer books
Object nameprayer books
Language
- Hungarian To my dear Laci, with true love.
(From) Ili
May God help you home as soon as possible
Csepel, 1 March, 1943
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ester Sarkadi-Clarke