Object numberM2018/066:010
DescriptionPrayer book was given as a farewell gift to Judy Vall’s family before they immigrated to Australia in 1956. The front cover of the book has a monogramed applique. Originally, it was gifted to Vanda Szekely, the youngest of five children, by her mother Ilona. Vanda’s husband Emery was the Vall’s General Practitioner. Ilona wrote the dates of birth of all her children inside the back cover.
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.
Production placeBudapest, Hungary
Production date 1891 - 1891
Subjectsurvivors, Holocaust, prayer, Australian Jewish history
Object nameprayer books
Materialcellulosic, paper, metal
Dimensions
- length: 177.00 mm
width: 130.00 mm
height: 20.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Judy Vall