'Gemeindeblatt der Deutsch-Israelitischen Gemeinde zu Hamburg' March 1937 newsletter
Object numberM2021/024:005
Title'Gemeindeblatt der Deutsch-Israelitischen Gemeinde zu Hamburg' March 1937 newsletter
DescriptionHamburg newsletter entitled 'Gemeindeblatt der Deutsch-Israelitischen Gemeinde zu Hamburg (Gemeindeblatt the German-Israelite Congregation in Hamburg). This newsletter was published in March 1937 for the Jewish community in Hamburg. It includes advertisements for language courses and articles regarding technical trade training. One article; 'Die Hamburger Schlosserlehrwerkstatte' (The Hamburg Locksmith's Workshop) on page 4 focuses on vocational training of Jewish youth. The two accompanying article images were photographed by Gustav (Gus) Wolfers in 1937. Gus was an amateur photographer who published in a variety of German publications and continued his photography once he immigrated to Sydney, Australia in 1937.
Collection of documents relating to the re-education of German 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.
Gustav Wolfers was born 13 August 1910 to Hugo Wolfers (1875-1941) and Olga Wolfers (nee Oppenheimer) (1885-1941). Gustav was the second of four siblings; Heinz, Alice and Ellen. Alice passed away in 1932 from Polio.
With experience working in his family' s successful textile firm, Gustav attended the Grone commercial school where he obtained an apprenticeship in the textile industry. From this apprenticeship, he was able to start his own business in 1932 as a sales representative and textile wholesaler. However, after boycotting calls in 1933 by the Nazi Party, Gustav' s business declined and he was forced to look to other skills and professions for work. German-Israelite Hamburg programs were introduced for youth to gain the skills required for successful immigration. From 1935, he retrained as a carpenter under the direction of Mr Jacob Blanari. An amateur photographer, Gustav practised his photography on the streets of Hamburg, at synagogues and at various Jewish youth exhibitions until 1937. From about 1935, his photographs were published in various Jewish Hamburg publications and he aspired to continue his career upon his emigration.
After 1933, Gustav made numerous unsuccessful attempts to emigrate from Germany. He met Grete Abrahamssohn at a Hamburg Jewish ball in 1934. With new antisemitic measures introduced, the couple saw no future for young Jewish people in Germany. They started English, Spanish and French lessons to allow for a smooth transition upon emigration. It was through one of these immigration applications that Gustav proposed marriage to Grete. Grete recalls him completing the form and asking ' Shall I fill in married?' Their wedding took place on 3 October 1937 in 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.
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 continued to work as a cabinet-maker and shop fitter before he passed away on 7 August 1982 at the age of 71. Grete passed away on 19 January 2004, aged 91.
Gustav' s parents Hugo and Olga Wolfers were deported to Riga ghetto on 6 December 1941. The particular circumstances and date of their death are unknown. Hugo and Olga had made plans to reunite in Australia with Gustav and Grete, but were unable to leave after war was declared. Heinz Wolfers suffered from schizophrenia and was institutionalised in 1935. He died due to the consequences of pulmonary tuberculosis on 3 May 1940. This was likely due to the poor nursing care and neglect, then common to many Jewish patients. Gustav never spoke of him.
Ellen Berg (nee Wolfers) was unable to undertake her preferred study due to antisemitic laws but was able to immigrate to England in February 1939 working in child care. Ellen passed away aged 94 in England in 2014.
Collection of documents relating to the re-education of German 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.
Gustav Wolfers was born 13 August 1910 to Hugo Wolfers (1875-1941) and Olga Wolfers (nee Oppenheimer) (1885-1941). Gustav was the second of four siblings; Heinz, Alice and Ellen. Alice passed away in 1932 from Polio.
With experience working in his family' s successful textile firm, Gustav attended the Grone commercial school where he obtained an apprenticeship in the textile industry. From this apprenticeship, he was able to start his own business in 1932 as a sales representative and textile wholesaler. However, after boycotting calls in 1933 by the Nazi Party, Gustav' s business declined and he was forced to look to other skills and professions for work. German-Israelite Hamburg programs were introduced for youth to gain the skills required for successful immigration. From 1935, he retrained as a carpenter under the direction of Mr Jacob Blanari. An amateur photographer, Gustav practised his photography on the streets of Hamburg, at synagogues and at various Jewish youth exhibitions until 1937. From about 1935, his photographs were published in various Jewish Hamburg publications and he aspired to continue his career upon his emigration.
After 1933, Gustav made numerous unsuccessful attempts to emigrate from Germany. He met Grete Abrahamssohn at a Hamburg Jewish ball in 1934. With new antisemitic measures introduced, the couple saw no future for young Jewish people in Germany. They started English, Spanish and French lessons to allow for a smooth transition upon emigration. It was through one of these immigration applications that Gustav proposed marriage to Grete. Grete recalls him completing the form and asking ' Shall I fill in married?' Their wedding took place on 3 October 1937 in 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.
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 continued to work as a cabinet-maker and shop fitter before he passed away on 7 August 1982 at the age of 71. Grete passed away on 19 January 2004, aged 91.
Gustav' s parents Hugo and Olga Wolfers were deported to Riga ghetto on 6 December 1941. The particular circumstances and date of their death are unknown. Hugo and Olga had made plans to reunite in Australia with Gustav and Grete, but were unable to leave after war was declared. Heinz Wolfers suffered from schizophrenia and was institutionalised in 1935. He died due to the consequences of pulmonary tuberculosis on 3 May 1940. This was likely due to the poor nursing care and neglect, then common to many Jewish patients. Gustav never spoke of him.
Ellen Berg (nee Wolfers) was unable to undertake her preferred study due to antisemitic laws but was able to immigrate to England in February 1939 working in child care. Ellen passed away aged 94 in England in 2014.
Production placeHamburg, Germany
Production date 1937-03
Subjectimmigration, establishing new life, antisemitism
Object namenewsletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 241.00 mm
height: 315.00 mm
Language
- German
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.