.jpg&folderId=10892&imageformat=jpg)
.jpg&folderId=10892&imageformat=jpg)
Object numberM2019/031:042
DescriptionCollection of letters from Helena Swartzberg (nee Roth) in Lublin, Poland to her sister Rosalie Gostin in Kobe, between 1940 and 1941.
Letter (M2019/031:042a) from Helena in Lublin, Poland to Rosalie Gostin in Kobe, Japan dated 29 May, year unknown. Helena is the aunty of Liz Sapir and the sister of Rosalie Gostin. In this letter, the Helena enquires about the health of Rosalie and her family and states that she and their father are healthy. This letter also discusses drama amongst Rosalie’s family members.
Postcard (M2019/031:042b) from Helena in Lubin, Poland to her sister Rosalie Gostin. In this postcard, she expresses how happy she is to hear from Rosalie and that their correspondence ‘gives me more reason to live’. She reports on the health of their family in Poland and enquires about Rosalie’s husband Henryk and daughter Liz Sapir (nee Gostin).
Following the invasion of Poland by German forces, Helena expressed that she wanted to leave Lublin with her three-year-old son George but Rosalie convinced her to stay with their father Zyndel Roth, and wait for her husband to return from his service. Rosalie believed that this decision remained on her conscious as she, her husband Henryk Gostin, and her brother Henry Roth fled Lublin and survived the Holocaust whilst Helen, George, and Zyndel were murdered in Poland.
This object is a part of a larger collection donated by Liz Sapir (formally Elizabeth/ Elzbieta) (nee Gostynski/Gostin), born 3 July 1937 in Poland. Her mother, Rosalie (Rosalia/ Rozalja) Zuinta Gostin (formally Gostynski) (nee Roth), was born 5 July 1911 in Lublin. Her father Henryk (Henry/ Hillee) Gostin (formally Gostynski), was born 15 July 1908 in Tomazow Mazowiecki, Poland. Rosalie and Henry met in Lublin following their individual studies and were married in 1934. In 1937 they had their only child, Elizabeth. In 1939, with the invasion of Poland by German forces and the outbreak of the Second World War, the family accompanied by Rosalie’s brother, Henry Roth (also known as Hirsz), fled Poland. The family travelled to the Romanian border, however bad weather and heavy security prevented them from crossing. They attempted to return to Poland with Russian troops but were only able to make it as far as Lvov where they remained from September 1939 to January 1940. From Lvov, the group travelled separately to Wilna, Lithuania. In Wilna they secured visas to Japan from the Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara. From Wilna, they went by train via the Trans-Siberian Railway, before boarding a boat to Japan, landing in Tsuruga in 1941. On 3 July 1941, they left Kobe and immigrated to Australia, arriving in Sydney 9 August 1941. Once in Australia and for the duration of the war, Henry secured a job as an Australian correspondent for two polish newspapers, ‘Nowy Swiat’ or ‘New World’ published in New York and ‘Dziennik Polski’ published in London. The family settled in Bellevue Hill in Sydney, where they remained until their death.
Letter (M2019/031:042a) from Helena in Lublin, Poland to Rosalie Gostin in Kobe, Japan dated 29 May, year unknown. Helena is the aunty of Liz Sapir and the sister of Rosalie Gostin. In this letter, the Helena enquires about the health of Rosalie and her family and states that she and their father are healthy. This letter also discusses drama amongst Rosalie’s family members.
Postcard (M2019/031:042b) from Helena in Lubin, Poland to her sister Rosalie Gostin. In this postcard, she expresses how happy she is to hear from Rosalie and that their correspondence ‘gives me more reason to live’. She reports on the health of their family in Poland and enquires about Rosalie’s husband Henryk and daughter Liz Sapir (nee Gostin).
Following the invasion of Poland by German forces, Helena expressed that she wanted to leave Lublin with her three-year-old son George but Rosalie convinced her to stay with their father Zyndel Roth, and wait for her husband to return from his service. Rosalie believed that this decision remained on her conscious as she, her husband Henryk Gostin, and her brother Henry Roth fled Lublin and survived the Holocaust whilst Helen, George, and Zyndel were murdered in Poland.
This object is a part of a larger collection donated by Liz Sapir (formally Elizabeth/ Elzbieta) (nee Gostynski/Gostin), born 3 July 1937 in Poland. Her mother, Rosalie (Rosalia/ Rozalja) Zuinta Gostin (formally Gostynski) (nee Roth), was born 5 July 1911 in Lublin. Her father Henryk (Henry/ Hillee) Gostin (formally Gostynski), was born 15 July 1908 in Tomazow Mazowiecki, Poland. Rosalie and Henry met in Lublin following their individual studies and were married in 1934. In 1937 they had their only child, Elizabeth. In 1939, with the invasion of Poland by German forces and the outbreak of the Second World War, the family accompanied by Rosalie’s brother, Henry Roth (also known as Hirsz), fled Poland. The family travelled to the Romanian border, however bad weather and heavy security prevented them from crossing. They attempted to return to Poland with Russian troops but were only able to make it as far as Lvov where they remained from September 1939 to January 1940. From Lvov, the group travelled separately to Wilna, Lithuania. In Wilna they secured visas to Japan from the Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara. From Wilna, they went by train via the Trans-Siberian Railway, before boarding a boat to Japan, landing in Tsuruga in 1941. On 3 July 1941, they left Kobe and immigrated to Australia, arriving in Sydney 9 August 1941. Once in Australia and for the duration of the war, Henry secured a job as an Australian correspondent for two polish newspapers, ‘Nowy Swiat’ or ‘New World’ published in New York and ‘Dziennik Polski’ published in London. The family settled in Bellevue Hill in Sydney, where they remained until their death.
Production placeLublin, Poland
Production date 1940 - 1941
Subjectsigns of life, keeping in touch
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 124.00 mm
height: 199.00 mm
Language
- Polish M2019/031:042a
page 1
My dearest Ziutenka!
On receiving you letter, happiness struck me till I cried. I am happy you spent your holidays peacefully. Something bothers me because you do not mention our dear Henek. Are you upset with us? Ziutenka you are very far from us in a faraway land, there is not a familiar soul here. After all why do you need to refuse life for yourselves? We are asking you in the name of our tired Mother if you really are angry with us (I would like it to be that it is only my fantasy and in any case our half lives should be cursed for our side only). I hope you will be forgiving. When I was at the cemetery I was asking that harmony was only between you. Ziuta in your letter you are writing that you are sending a parcel. It seems to me you are not probably very angry. Every grosz plays a big role here. I ask in future do not do this anymore.
Page 2
Here everything is going well. We are are healthy. I am for the last few months at home involved with domestic chores. Jureczek goes to preschool, believe me he is phenomenal kid. He is beautiful with his slanted eyes. Leon goes every day to work. We are managing not too badly. I weight sixty two kilos at last I came back to my old figure. With Fajgal Wakslich we see each other every day and also with the Tulews and Wejchows. With Mrs Tulew from a few days ago we started to appreciate each other more, because our relationship is becoming closer and precious. We hope from now on they are not just guests. At home at Father’s place everything is flowing the old way. Father took from Cesia all the laundry from which he gave one shirt each to me and Buzio, he kept two shirts for himself.
Page 3
I ask you do not write to Father because he will deduce that Regina and Halinka are involved. They come here on visits. From the time of your departure there is also at Father’s place the Beinysz and Laczne. As you can see Father is like always very happy. Believe me I am observing how he conducts himself and he makes me and Buzio furious. Buzio every few weeks arrives here for a short time. This is when we speak about you. Ziutenka I maybe did not have the right with Buzio to deprive him of this one shirt. I thought that Henek but not you talked about it. I think we have the same rights as Regina and Halina. Father nevertheless benefits from it. Ziutenka for today I think its enough.
Page 4
Up until now I did not write about it. I wonder why you are complaining that I seldom write, possibly because letters take a long time to arrive. Dear, now it is about you and Elzunia and Henyk. It makes me happy that we are not with Uncle and Aunty. Their life is not the kind of life we like, these people exemplify a strange life. We endeavour with all our might not to have anything to do with them. Jurczek helps us with this. Ziutenka, why are you not writing about your income? From what do you live? Believe me in my sleepless nights I think about you. Big hugs for Henkow and Elzunia. I beg you once more if you want to give me some pleasure and peace of mind forgive Heniek. Tell him that you are yearning for him. Kisses for you all and greetings for Leon.
Hela and Jurek.
M2019/031:042b
My Dear!
Father and Aunt are in good health. Your card from 9th February I received with much pleasure. You have no idea how happy you made me with your correspondence. I live only with thoughts of you. And sometimes it gives me more reason to live. I attend to the house chores and for Jureczek a young lady comes to help a little. Leon works and earns a little money. Jureczek is a sweet boy has already mastered counting up to 100. He speaks of you constantly, mostly he loves Elzunia and aunty Ziuta. From all the family he remembers the Haneks very well. Beside this, nothing is new. Wigernows with whom we live are dreadful. I am happy you are not with them. My dear, what is happening with your life? How are you managing? Why are you not writing? I hope you know how we are interested in your lives? How is dear Elzunia? How I would love to be with you! Zinlenko, you cannot imagine my yearning. My heart is breaking from longing. Why is Heniek not writing? Continually I see him in my dreams.
Kisses to all
Helena
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Liz Sapir