Object numberM1995/024:012
DescriptionLetter from Nathan and Elsbeth Graetz, Berlin, to their daughter Rosy and son-in-law Martin Levy, England, 25 September 1939. They send Rosh Hashannah greetings and all the best for the New Year. Elsbeth reports that she fasted well this year (on the day of Atonement) but did not go to synagogue. She writes a bit about the children but in general there doesn’t seem to be much news and they write that overall things are a bit boring.
Part of a collection of 31 letters, postcards and Red Cross messages donated by Norbert and Sonja Schweizer.
Norbert’s mother, Rosy Schweizer, born Berlin 1908, died Sydney 1993. Her parents were Nathan and Elsbeth Graetz. Rosy had two brothers - Hans and Alfred. Hans died before the war. Alfred married Bella; their daughter Gitta was born October 1939. Bella died a few days after from birth complications.
Rosy married Martin Levy c. 1938, aged 30. The marriage may have been arranged so that they could get out of Germany as a couple. In 1938 they left Berlin for England, staying with Marion and C. Hoyle, who had helped arrange their visas. They were hoping to arrange visas for Rosy's parents, but, after Kristallnacht, realised it would be almost impossible. Around late 1941, Rosy and Martin seperated. Rosy’s parents were deported to Theresienstadt; she corresponded with them via the Red Cross messaging service until letters started being ‘returned to sender’. Nathan died of a heart attack in Theresienstadt and Elsbeth died of dysentry.
Norbert’s father, Zigmund Schweizer, born Berlin 1912, died Sydney 1987. His parents were Richard and Else. Zigmund had two sisters Bertha and Gisela. Zigmund, politically active, was jailed in 1932-33 at age 21. Shortly after he left Germany and went to Rome, where he worked as a waiter. In 1938 he left for Tangiers where he ran nightclubs. He then went to Gibraltar, and from there to England, but was interned on the Isle of Man from March 1942 until August 1944. From there he went to London where he met Rosy (around 1944-45). Norbert was born in November 1948. In 1949 Martin (Rosy’s first husband) left for Canada but died on the boat, leaving Norbert's parents free to marry (circa 1949).
Zigmund’s health was poor and he was advised to go to a more sunny climate. They arrived in Australia January 1952. Zigmund established a restaurant called Sid’s. Zigmund's mother had committed suicide in 1939 (the S.S. came to her building looking for someone she didn't want to betray so she jumped off the building). Zigmund kept searching for information about his father and sisters up until 1970, when he finally gave up. He never found out what happened to them.
Part of a collection of 31 letters, postcards and Red Cross messages donated by Norbert and Sonja Schweizer.
Norbert’s mother, Rosy Schweizer, born Berlin 1908, died Sydney 1993. Her parents were Nathan and Elsbeth Graetz. Rosy had two brothers - Hans and Alfred. Hans died before the war. Alfred married Bella; their daughter Gitta was born October 1939. Bella died a few days after from birth complications.
Rosy married Martin Levy c. 1938, aged 30. The marriage may have been arranged so that they could get out of Germany as a couple. In 1938 they left Berlin for England, staying with Marion and C. Hoyle, who had helped arrange their visas. They were hoping to arrange visas for Rosy's parents, but, after Kristallnacht, realised it would be almost impossible. Around late 1941, Rosy and Martin seperated. Rosy’s parents were deported to Theresienstadt; she corresponded with them via the Red Cross messaging service until letters started being ‘returned to sender’. Nathan died of a heart attack in Theresienstadt and Elsbeth died of dysentry.
Norbert’s father, Zigmund Schweizer, born Berlin 1912, died Sydney 1987. His parents were Richard and Else. Zigmund had two sisters Bertha and Gisela. Zigmund, politically active, was jailed in 1932-33 at age 21. Shortly after he left Germany and went to Rome, where he worked as a waiter. In 1938 he left for Tangiers where he ran nightclubs. He then went to Gibraltar, and from there to England, but was interned on the Isle of Man from March 1942 until August 1944. From there he went to London where he met Rosy (around 1944-45). Norbert was born in November 1948. In 1949 Martin (Rosy’s first husband) left for Canada but died on the boat, leaving Norbert's parents free to marry (circa 1949).
Zigmund’s health was poor and he was advised to go to a more sunny climate. They arrived in Australia January 1952. Zigmund established a restaurant called Sid’s. Zigmund's mother had committed suicide in 1939 (the S.S. came to her building looking for someone she didn't want to betray so she jumped off the building). Zigmund kept searching for information about his father and sisters up until 1970, when he finally gave up. He never found out what happened to them.
Production placeBerlin, Germany
Production date 1939-09-25
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 210.00 mm
height: 298.00 mm
Language
- German Translation of M1995/024:012
PAGE 1.
25.IX.39
My dearest children,
Heartiest congratulations to you all for the New Year, even if belated. I wish you the very
best for the future, mainly good health. I found it impossible to write earlier. Seldom
do I fast so well as I did this time, as I did not go to the synagogue, I was resting at home,
lying down most of the time. We are well and things are all right. We enjoy our food and
beverage, life does not stop, all proceeds the usual way. Whiskey is very mobile. We
do not get the heating before the 1st Oct. therefore I always cover Schmulli with a
blanket, he really loves that a lot. Bella expects her new arrival anytime now, the
Doctor told me that all is absolutely in perfect order and he is very satisfied. Alfred
is very nervous, which is to be expected, being active helps him overcome the hard
times. How are you Martin? Have you been able to find some work? My dear child,
how is your friend these days, does she still live in the Pension, the old address?
Convey our regards to her, we wish her all the best too. The usual Sunday crowd also
send their best regards to you. I presume that you know that Hanin gave birth to a
little girl, she lives now out on the land. Gerda is not able to travel anymore. My dear
girl, be strong! Don't be sad, I am not sad either! I hope to hear from you soon, I hope
to hear only good news from you! Many heartiest regards to you my litttle "mouse", :c
kisses from Schmulli..
With love
Your Mama
PAGE 2.
Dear girl and dear Martin
Since we know you to be in such good hands, we are satisfied - especially Mama - and
that is the main thing.
Everything is the same with us, just a little quieter and boring, our sub-tenants are
still living with us and we also have a single lady.
Is it already cold where you are? I am able to wear my new coat which, by the way, I
enjoy.
Other than this we are all well, as Mama has written, and we hope you are the same.
Let us hear from you soon, hearty greetings from your
Papa
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Norbert and Sonja Schweizer