Ivriah Journal Vol 8 No 12 September 1944
Object numberM2021/022:003
TitleIvriah Journal Vol 8 No 12 September 1944
Creator Rieke Cohen
DescriptionJournal entitled 'Ivriah' (Vol 8, No 12), published by Rieke Cohen, W.I.Z.O and the Zionist Journal of Australia, dated September 1944. The publication includes Zionist themed messages and articles, birth and marriage announcements as well as greetings from subscribers to family and friends to celebrate the Jewish New Year.
The journal was founded and edited by Rieke Cohen, a prominent Zionist leader in Australia from the interwar period. Rieke established the monthly journal in March 1935, after forming the new organisation 'Ivriah' in January 1935. It aimed to support the development of a Jewish homeland in Palestine and promoting Jewish education. From 1937, Ivriah as an organisation would be directly affiliated with the Women's International Zionist Organisation (WIZO). The Ivriah journal would continue to published monthly until Rieke's death in 1964.
Collection of documents relating to the re-education of Jewish populations and the immigration of Gustav (also known as Guschi/Gus) Paul Wolfers and his wife Grete Wolfers (nee Abrahamssohn). Emigrating from Hamburg in 1937, the Wolfers travelled to Sydney, Australia, escaping rising antisemitic measures enforced throughout Germany.
Grete Wolfers was born in Hamburg on 6 August 1912 to Joel Abrahamssohn (1869-1942) and Pauline Abrahamssohn (nee Meyer) (1872-1942). Grete had three siblings Jenny Becker, Else Grossmeyer and Norbert Abrahamssohn. With the rise of the Nazism in Germany, Grete experienced increased antisemitism and discrimination during her schooling and she was unable to complete her higher education. Grete states she was deliberately failed in three subjects and was not allowed to attend her second year. She attended a trade school and received training in typing, stenography and bookkeeping but was unable to receive permanent paid work.
Grete met Gus Wolfers at a Hamburg Jewish ball in 1934. With new antisemitic measures introduced, the couple saw no future for young Jewish people in Germany and they both desired to emigrate outside of Germany. The pair started English, Spanish and French lessons to allow for a smooth transition upon emigration. It was through these immigration applications that Gus proposed marriage to Grete. She recalls him completing the form and asking 'Shall I fill in married?' Their wedding took place on 3 October 1937 in the Great Synagogue (Bornplatz Synagogue - destroyed during Kristallnacht) in Hamburg.
The couple escaped Hamburg to Australia during their honeymoon in October 1937, travelling via Holland to visit Grete's sister, Else Grossmeyer and brother, Norbert Abrahamssohn. Grete recalls discussing the growing restrictions in Germany and the Wolfers leaving money to allow for the eventual immigration of Grete's parents. Grete states; 'The farewell, like all farewells, was sad, but we were sure that somehow or other, we would be together one day in Australia.'
The Wolfers arrived in Sydney on 2 December 1937 aboard the steamship ORAMA. Although promised a permanent job on arrival, Gustav was unemployed by his second day. After this he struggled to find permanent work, working intermittently as a cabinet maker. Grete supported them, forced to work as a cleaner for three months before gaining work as a stenographer and typist. To supplement their income, Gustav used his photography skills and camera brought from Germany to photograph houses within their local neighbourhood, Haberfield and sell them back to the homeowners. According to Grete, Gustav's photography as well as the couples understanding of languages caused them to come under suspicion. During the war they were labelled as enemy aliens, until their naturalisation as Australian citizens in 1944.
The couple eventually settled in Gordon, New South Wales and had three children; Edward, Norma and Howard. Gustav passed away on 7 August 1982 at the age of 71. Grete passed away on 19 January 2004, aged 89.
The journal was founded and edited by Rieke Cohen, a prominent Zionist leader in Australia from the interwar period. Rieke established the monthly journal in March 1935, after forming the new organisation 'Ivriah' in January 1935. It aimed to support the development of a Jewish homeland in Palestine and promoting Jewish education. From 1937, Ivriah as an organisation would be directly affiliated with the Women's International Zionist Organisation (WIZO). The Ivriah journal would continue to published monthly until Rieke's death in 1964.
Collection of documents relating to the re-education of Jewish populations and the immigration of Gustav (also known as Guschi/Gus) Paul Wolfers and his wife Grete Wolfers (nee Abrahamssohn). Emigrating from Hamburg in 1937, the Wolfers travelled to Sydney, Australia, escaping rising antisemitic measures enforced throughout Germany.
Grete Wolfers was born in Hamburg on 6 August 1912 to Joel Abrahamssohn (1869-1942) and Pauline Abrahamssohn (nee Meyer) (1872-1942). Grete had three siblings Jenny Becker, Else Grossmeyer and Norbert Abrahamssohn. With the rise of the Nazism in Germany, Grete experienced increased antisemitism and discrimination during her schooling and she was unable to complete her higher education. Grete states she was deliberately failed in three subjects and was not allowed to attend her second year. She attended a trade school and received training in typing, stenography and bookkeeping but was unable to receive permanent paid work.
Grete met Gus Wolfers at a Hamburg Jewish ball in 1934. With new antisemitic measures introduced, the couple saw no future for young Jewish people in Germany and they both desired to emigrate outside of Germany. The pair started English, Spanish and French lessons to allow for a smooth transition upon emigration. It was through these immigration applications that Gus proposed marriage to Grete. She recalls him completing the form and asking 'Shall I fill in married?' Their wedding took place on 3 October 1937 in the Great Synagogue (Bornplatz Synagogue - destroyed during Kristallnacht) in Hamburg.
The couple escaped Hamburg to Australia during their honeymoon in October 1937, travelling via Holland to visit Grete's sister, Else Grossmeyer and brother, Norbert Abrahamssohn. Grete recalls discussing the growing restrictions in Germany and the Wolfers leaving money to allow for the eventual immigration of Grete's parents. Grete states; 'The farewell, like all farewells, was sad, but we were sure that somehow or other, we would be together one day in Australia.'
The Wolfers arrived in Sydney on 2 December 1937 aboard the steamship ORAMA. Although promised a permanent job on arrival, Gustav was unemployed by his second day. After this he struggled to find permanent work, working intermittently as a cabinet maker. Grete supported them, forced to work as a cleaner for three months before gaining work as a stenographer and typist. To supplement their income, Gustav used his photography skills and camera brought from Germany to photograph houses within their local neighbourhood, Haberfield and sell them back to the homeowners. According to Grete, Gustav's photography as well as the couples understanding of languages caused them to come under suspicion. During the war they were labelled as enemy aliens, until their naturalisation as Australian citizens in 1944.
The couple eventually settled in Gordon, New South Wales and had three children; Edward, Norma and Howard. Gustav passed away on 7 August 1982 at the age of 71. Grete passed away on 19 January 2004, aged 89.
Production placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1944-09
SubjectZionists, Jewish business people
Object namepamphlets
Dimensions
- width: 227.00 mm
height: 309.00 mm
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Howard Wolfers
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.