Letter written by Istvan Berger
Object numberM2021/044:002
TitleLetter written by Istvan Berger
DescriptionLetter written by Istvan Berger, Italy, to Istvan's family, Hungary, 11 September 1917
Istvan Berger (also known as Istvan Berendi) was born in Budapest on 17 May 1898 to Benjamin Bela and Jolal/Jolan Berger (nee Wildmann). The Berger family ran a menswear and cloth business in Budapest. With the outbreak of World War One, Istvan enlisted in the Hungarian army around 1917 as an officer. He was captured as a prisoner of war in October 1918 by the British forces and taken from Italy to England. Throughout his incarceration, he wrote of his time in captivity and filled his time with artistic pursuits including many drawings. Due to governmental upheaval in Hungary at the end of the war, he was not able to return immediately but was eventually repatriated after October 1919. After his release, Istvan returned to Budapest and married Isabella Feldmann. The couple had two children, Mira and Tamas.
The family appears to have changed their name from Berger to Berendi from 1929. After war began, Istvan’s family relate he and his brother György (George) were transported to Mauthausen as forced labourers. In 1945 at the final weeks of the war in Europe, the brothers fled, separating as they believed they would have a better chance at survival. George was captured but later released and survived. It is believed however that Istvan was captured and along with 25 other prisoners, was murdered along the Danube River and buried in a mass grave.
Isabella and their children survived. Isabella immigrated to Australia via the Hungarian Refugee Assisted Scheme. Their daughter, Mira Szerdahely (Serda), moved with her family to Israel in 1953 before also travelling to Sydney, Australia in April 1957.
Istvan Berger (also known as Istvan Berendi) was born in Budapest on 17 May 1898 to Benjamin Bela and Jolal/Jolan Berger (nee Wildmann). The Berger family ran a menswear and cloth business in Budapest. With the outbreak of World War One, Istvan enlisted in the Hungarian army around 1917 as an officer. He was captured as a prisoner of war in October 1918 by the British forces and taken from Italy to England. Throughout his incarceration, he wrote of his time in captivity and filled his time with artistic pursuits including many drawings. Due to governmental upheaval in Hungary at the end of the war, he was not able to return immediately but was eventually repatriated after October 1919. After his release, Istvan returned to Budapest and married Isabella Feldmann. The couple had two children, Mira and Tamas.
The family appears to have changed their name from Berger to Berendi from 1929. After war began, Istvan’s family relate he and his brother György (George) were transported to Mauthausen as forced labourers. In 1945 at the final weeks of the war in Europe, the brothers fled, separating as they believed they would have a better chance at survival. George was captured but later released and survived. It is believed however that Istvan was captured and along with 25 other prisoners, was murdered along the Danube River and buried in a mass grave.
Isabella and their children survived. Isabella immigrated to Australia via the Hungarian Refugee Assisted Scheme. Their daughter, Mira Szerdahely (Serda), moved with her family to Israel in 1953 before also travelling to Sydney, Australia in April 1957.
Production placeEngland
Production date 1917-09-11
Subjectprisoners of war, writing, families, separation, New Year, Rosh Hashana
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Techniquehandwritten
Dimensions
- width: 160.00 mm
height: 205.00 mm
Language
- Hungarian My dear good parents, my beloved Brothers,
The festive mood has made me put pen to paper even though we are still far away from the New Year and God is not willing to allow me to stand in front of my dear Father to bless me, I cannot kiss my beloved Mother's hand or plant a kiss on my Brother's cheek before we go to the Synagogue. No! It has been now two years since I could enjoy my family's warmth not just in my imagination. I am with you only in my thoughts when with hands clapsed in prayer I long and cry for your hugs. The only thing that makes me bear these awful thoughts is my trust in God and the soothing prayers.
I will not be standing next to you my dear father in the Synagogue, but my soul will be right there celebrating with you. With your prayers will God listen and even though I will not be there in my best suit, my soul will be there to celebrate. Yes, I will say the prayers with you trusting God's mercy. And if I will be missing at the blessing, dear Father think of me and I will feel your thoughts in my heart.
And if I will not be there for the holiday feast, just think of the time when your son will be there. Trust God that so far always helped me when I had troubles and had been in danger.
I will pray to Him that the next year will bring me and many others home to their loved ones. I pray every day to ask for His help and protection.
Please believe me when I say that I will be home soon, and do not give in to painful thoughts and tears. We will be in each others arms soon.
My beloved Father and Mother, the cold paper I am writing on can not describe the warmth and love that I have for you in my heart. I wish that God will provide you with all your wishes to come true. I wish the same to my Brothers, and to you dear Sarika, for you also deserve the best life can give. And for my little brothers, who can not possibly understand the pain that we feel, I hope that God will give you everything you ever wish for. Amen!
I have to finish now, I am writing this four days before the New Year, but please just pretend that I am standing there with you, and do not worry!
Trust God, His strength and in His love.
My kisses for the festive season for all of you with the son's and brother's love.
Pista.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, donated by Steven Serda. This collection is donated in memory of Istvan Berger.
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.