Letter
Object numberM2020/033:005
TitleLetter
DescriptionThis letter is part of a collection donated by Peter Nash (Nachemstein). The letters document his family's migration to Shanghai, where approximately 18,000 European Jews relocated from 1938 to 1941. Many of these refugees continued on to Australia and the United States at the end of the War.
Peter's maternal grandfather refused to leave Berlin during Hitler's rise to power. As a World War I veteran who had fought for the former Kaiser, he firmly believed that the Nazis would never harm him. Soon after Kristallnacht, in November 1938, Peter's parents, Herbert and Ingeborg, received an eviction notice from the owners of their apartment in Berlin. It stated, "Under the principles of the Nazis it is not acceptable for Aryan tenants to live under the same roof with Jews. We therefore demand that you vacate the premises."
The family chose not to vacate immediately as they were unable to obtain entry visas to another country. On hearing that Shanghai did not require an entry visa, Peter, Herbert, Ingeborg, her parents Isidor and Alice, and her brother decided to leave Berlin. The family travelled by train to Genoa, Italy in April 1939, before boarding the German steamship SS Scharnhorst. Peter recollected that his maternal grandfather was devastated to leave Germany, but that unlike dozens of other family members, their lives were saved by their decision to leave. Sadly, Peter's grandfather died one month after reaching Shanghai, after suffering complications from a heart attack before the journey.
Herbert's parents, Leopold and Cacilie were still living in Poland in 1939 and did not want to emigrate. Soon after Germany occupied Poland, Peter's grandparents were sent to Piotrkow Trybunalski ghetto, along with over 300 other Jews. Herbert and Inge exchanged letters with them throughout 1940 until April 1941, after which they never heard from them again. In late 1942, all the remaining inmates of Piotrkow Trybunalski were transported to Treblinka and murdered.
"My parents rarely spoke about Europe or our lives there. What I know I mostly learned from many artefacts they brought with them to Shanghai, then to Sydney, such as letters, certificates and photos. My father also made carbon copies of his typed letters, from which I learned about myself in Shanghai to the age of six. One of his parents' letters suddenly had a different return address, which meant my grandparents had been sent to a ghetto." - Peter Nash
Peter's maternal grandfather refused to leave Berlin during Hitler's rise to power. As a World War I veteran who had fought for the former Kaiser, he firmly believed that the Nazis would never harm him. Soon after Kristallnacht, in November 1938, Peter's parents, Herbert and Ingeborg, received an eviction notice from the owners of their apartment in Berlin. It stated, "Under the principles of the Nazis it is not acceptable for Aryan tenants to live under the same roof with Jews. We therefore demand that you vacate the premises."
The family chose not to vacate immediately as they were unable to obtain entry visas to another country. On hearing that Shanghai did not require an entry visa, Peter, Herbert, Ingeborg, her parents Isidor and Alice, and her brother decided to leave Berlin. The family travelled by train to Genoa, Italy in April 1939, before boarding the German steamship SS Scharnhorst. Peter recollected that his maternal grandfather was devastated to leave Germany, but that unlike dozens of other family members, their lives were saved by their decision to leave. Sadly, Peter's grandfather died one month after reaching Shanghai, after suffering complications from a heart attack before the journey.
Herbert's parents, Leopold and Cacilie were still living in Poland in 1939 and did not want to emigrate. Soon after Germany occupied Poland, Peter's grandparents were sent to Piotrkow Trybunalski ghetto, along with over 300 other Jews. Herbert and Inge exchanged letters with them throughout 1940 until April 1941, after which they never heard from them again. In late 1942, all the remaining inmates of Piotrkow Trybunalski were transported to Treblinka and murdered.
"My parents rarely spoke about Europe or our lives there. What I know I mostly learned from many artefacts they brought with them to Shanghai, then to Sydney, such as letters, certificates and photos. My father also made carbon copies of his typed letters, from which I learned about myself in Shanghai to the age of six. One of his parents' letters suddenly had a different return address, which meant my grandparents had been sent to a ghetto." - Peter Nash
Production placePoland
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 215.00 mm
height: 272.00 mm
Language
- German Gniezno to Shanghai
Letter #6
Undated c. July 1939
My very dear Inge!
On the passing of your dear father I express my deepest condolence. May the Almighty console you in your loss. My heartfelt condolence to your mother and brother.
Many greetings to you all your Mother
My very dear children and Peterchen!
We received your letter No. 7, and hope that you are well, as we are. Dear Herbert I beg of you to write if you received the Coupons, I enclosed 15 pieces over 4 letters, and are they worth something for you. Today I will enclose 3 more. Dear Herbert how many books did you have to hand in? * and what money did you have to hand in?** How are my sisters doing, please give them our greetings, also I express to you all my sympathy on the passing of your father.
Many greetings and kisses
Your Father
(in top margin) To our golden boy many greetings
My very dear children and Peterchen!
We received your dear letter and with G'd's help Peterchen is all well again. We really would like to send something so that the child will be healthy, and needs a lot of caring.
Dear Herbert, we know that you have been through so much. We have worried enough for you, we did not want to write about it, so that you would have problems through us the dear G'd give you the best and a really good earning opportunity so that you can happily choose what you want. How are the groceries, can you get them like here and is business like here. Dear Herbert you must get the important things so that your family can live well wish our dear Peterchen better health all the best and stay well and many greetings and kisses Your dear Mother
(in top margin) Dear Herbert you wrote once that you have such pain in your feet, so for skin relief bathe with a handful salt and 14 lt vinegar 3 times a week You must consume healthy drinks
(in left margin) greetings and kisses for Peterchen
Notes:
Isidor Lewin died 19 June 1939 one month after arriving in Shanghai
*This refers to leaving Hebrew Prayer Books behind in Berlin (in fact a number including Pesach Haggadahs - Passover story of the exodus of Jews from Egypt - were brought to Shanghai and then to Sydney)
**Refers to how much currency Herbert could take out of Germany. Only 10 Reich Marks per person was allowed on emigration
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Peter Nash
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.