Object numberM2019/031:056
DescriptionLetter from Janusz Michalowicz in Wilna, Lithuania to unknown on 17 January 1948. In this handwritten letter, Janusz asks for support and approval on behalf of his friend Mr Henryk Gostynski (Henryk Gostin).
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.
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 placeVilna, Lithuania
Production date 1948 - 1948
Subjectpost war life
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 190.00 mm
height: 251.00 mm
Language
- Polish Dear Sir,
For a long time, notwithstanding Mr Henrik Gostynski was telling me to see you. He is my friend who deserves serious support and I will be grateful if I can gain your approval and support to help him.
Expressing esteem respect and success,
Yours
Janusz Michalowicz
Vilno, 17th January 1948
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Liz Sapir