Postcard from Theresienstadt by Regina Herrmann to Betty and Heinz Caspari
Object numberM2020/023:001
TitlePostcard from Theresienstadt by Regina Herrmann to Betty and Heinz Caspari
Creator Regina Herrmann
DescriptionShort postcard from Kate-Regina Herrmann in the Theresienstadt ghetto to Betty (her sister-in-law) and Betty's son, Dr. Heinz Caspari, in Uppsala, Sweden in August, 1943. Refers to being well, and to working. Regina states that 'letters and small packets are allowed' to be sent, encouraging further letters, as well as news on her daughter Inge (in Sydney at the time). Regina tells of how her mother and husband Otto are with her and well.
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
Part of a collection of over 60 letters to Inge-Ruth Poppert (nee Herrmann) from 1937 to 1957, as well as memorabilia and personal documents that detail the Holocaust experiences of the Herrmann family, and the establishment Inge's life in Sydney, Australia.
Inge was born on 12 October 1922 in Wolmirstedt, near Magdeburg, Germany to Otto and Kate-Regina Herrmann (nee Manneberg). Inge lived in Wolmirstedt, but attended school in Madgeburg from 1933. The family relocated to the city of Magdeburg in 1935 where Otto owned two shops. Due to anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish legislation, Otto had lost his clothing business in Wolmirstedt. However, from 1937 with the increasing Aryanisation of Jewish assets and property, the Herrmann family again forcibly lost their remaining businesses and way of life.
Despite the worsening risk to all Jews in Germany, Inge's parents initially resisted emigration, though in 1937 they decided that their daughter should leave. Inge was approved to go to Australia after being assessed in Berlin. She arrived in Sydney via London in September 1938.
Otto and Regina lived in increasing poverty and anxiety. Otto was arrested in 1938 and sent to Buchenwald for a brief period before being released. In October 1942 they were deported to Theresienstadt. Inge received no sign of life from her parents from 1944 and only learned years after the war that they were deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where they were murdered.
Production placeTheresienstadt ghetto
Production date 1943-08-08
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 150.00 mm
height: 100.00 mm
Language
- German From: Kate Regina. Theresienstadt, 08/08 1943.
To: Mrs. Betty Caspari and Dr. Heinz Caspari.
(Stamp) Replies only in German, through Jewish Elders Council, Prague.
Dear Betty, we are hoping that you got our last card and are looking forward with great longing to get some news from you and Inge. We are well and are working. Letters and small packets are allowed and we are very happy to hear from you. Has Inge already written to you and how is she keeping? Mother and Otto are well. We are often together with them.
Best wishes, Kate-Regina.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Kim Poppert
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.