Object numberM2018/066:003
DescriptionYellow plastic dreidl (also dreidel) belonging to Judy Vall (nee Bleyer). The four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side, is used in a children's game traditionally played at the Jewish festival of Chanukkah. Its provenance is most likely the post-war period and was donated to the Museum with other items pertaining to her family's Holocaust experiences.
Judy Vall (nee Bleyer) was born to Irene Goldstein and Karoly Szametz, 7 September 1924. Irene and Karoly divorced in 1926 and in 1937 Irene 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. 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 countryside 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 1993, aged 92.
Judy Vall (nee Bleyer) was born to Irene Goldstein and Karoly Szametz, 7 September 1924. Irene and Karoly divorced in 1926 and in 1937 Irene 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. 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 countryside 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 1993, aged 92.
Production periodpost-World War II
Subjecttoys, Hanukkah, forced labour, deportation, Holocaust, survivors, escape
Object namedreidls
Materialplastic
Dimensions
- height: 35.00 mm
width: 15.00 mm
length: 15.00 mm
Language
- Hebrew
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Judy Vall