Object numberM1999/036:001
DescriptionPostcard from 'F' to Selma and Wilhelm Vollmann, Lüdenscheid, 9 March 1942, explaining how to obtain the Red Cross message forms and how to stay in touch. The Red Cross forms are not obtainable at the Post Office and have to be requested from the German Red Cross in Berlin.
Part of a collection of 20 postcards sent by Helene Levy (the mother), Julie Levy (daughter) and Rosalie and Ernst Salm (daughter and son-in-law), from Theresienstadt between 1943 and 1944, to their sister Selma Vollmann (nee Levy) and her Christian husband Wilhelm Vollmann. Selma and Wilhelm lived in Lüdenscheid, Germany. Selma was protected from deportation as she lived in a 'privileged' mixed marriage. Nevertheless, the fate of Jewish spouses in mixed marriages was precarious and Selma was interned from 1944 until the war ended, working as a forced labourer.
The address the inmates initially wrote on the postcards was 'Theresienstadt' followed by numbers (L501, Q703), however, the postcards sent after 1943 replaced the numbers with proper street names such as 'Berggasse', 'Badhausgasse' - as part of the deception to deceive the world that life under the Nazi yoke is benign.
Correspondence with the outside world was highly controlled and supervised by the SS command. At different times during the inmates' lives in the ghetto, correspondence was either restricted or forbidden by the SS - usually as a form of punishment. The content of the postcards was strictly regulated and censored. It had to be written in German and could not exceed 30 words (Sedlicka, 2018). Beginning in September 1943 inmates were allowed to send a post card each month, later reduced to one postcard every two months. The family are forced to contend with these postal restrictions (M1999/036:019 & 020). Postcards were also used as confirmation for receipt of packages; receiving parcels was important as they included food to supplement what was provided by the ghetto. Selma is their lifeline. The sole provider of news as well as their food parcels. The family are indebted to her and deeply appreciate her sending monthly packages of food (M1999/036:005, 006, 007, 008 & 009). Helene writes that her joy is 'indescribable' whenever they hear from her. They yearn and are 'hungry' for her words (M1999/036:003 & 007) and the knowledge that she is safe and well.
The content of the postcards is private and personal - to write about anything else was forbidden and dangerous. They could not write about living conditions, struggles in the ghetto, growing despair or fear of deportation. The majority of the postcards are from Julie; her second last postcard dated 10 September 1944 ends with 'regards as always without joy' (M1999/036:018). As this was written shortly before her deportation to Auschwitz it is assumed that 'without joy' refers to this. A dominant motif of the correspondence is thanking God for being healthy. This ensures that they are able to work, be considered useful and, therefore, to be alive (M1999/036:005, 007, 008 & 009). Helene's health is delicate. She has been hospitalised and receives on-going treatment. Her 'good care' attests to devoted staff (M1999/036:003 & 005). Julie is close to her mother. She visits her 'every spare moment she can spare' (M1999/036:005 & 006). Helene dies on 3 August 1943. Letters reveal that she was a 'very special' person, loved by one and all (M1999/036:006). Walter and his bride have become estranged from the family. Julie writes how saddened she is by their behaviour (M1999/036:007).
Aftermath: Rosalie and Ernst survived the war. Julie, deported from Darmstadt to Theresienstadt in September 1942, was deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where she was murdered. Her mother Helene followed in February 1943, but died six months later, on 3 August 1943; her death certificate states cancer as the cause of death. It is not known what happened to Walter.
Part of a collection of 20 postcards sent by Helene Levy (the mother), Julie Levy (daughter) and Rosalie and Ernst Salm (daughter and son-in-law), from Theresienstadt between 1943 and 1944, to their sister Selma Vollmann (nee Levy) and her Christian husband Wilhelm Vollmann. Selma and Wilhelm lived in Lüdenscheid, Germany. Selma was protected from deportation as she lived in a 'privileged' mixed marriage. Nevertheless, the fate of Jewish spouses in mixed marriages was precarious and Selma was interned from 1944 until the war ended, working as a forced labourer.
The address the inmates initially wrote on the postcards was 'Theresienstadt' followed by numbers (L501, Q703), however, the postcards sent after 1943 replaced the numbers with proper street names such as 'Berggasse', 'Badhausgasse' - as part of the deception to deceive the world that life under the Nazi yoke is benign.
Correspondence with the outside world was highly controlled and supervised by the SS command. At different times during the inmates' lives in the ghetto, correspondence was either restricted or forbidden by the SS - usually as a form of punishment. The content of the postcards was strictly regulated and censored. It had to be written in German and could not exceed 30 words (Sedlicka, 2018). Beginning in September 1943 inmates were allowed to send a post card each month, later reduced to one postcard every two months. The family are forced to contend with these postal restrictions (M1999/036:019 & 020). Postcards were also used as confirmation for receipt of packages; receiving parcels was important as they included food to supplement what was provided by the ghetto. Selma is their lifeline. The sole provider of news as well as their food parcels. The family are indebted to her and deeply appreciate her sending monthly packages of food (M1999/036:005, 006, 007, 008 & 009). Helene writes that her joy is 'indescribable' whenever they hear from her. They yearn and are 'hungry' for her words (M1999/036:003 & 007) and the knowledge that she is safe and well.
The content of the postcards is private and personal - to write about anything else was forbidden and dangerous. They could not write about living conditions, struggles in the ghetto, growing despair or fear of deportation. The majority of the postcards are from Julie; her second last postcard dated 10 September 1944 ends with 'regards as always without joy' (M1999/036:018). As this was written shortly before her deportation to Auschwitz it is assumed that 'without joy' refers to this. A dominant motif of the correspondence is thanking God for being healthy. This ensures that they are able to work, be considered useful and, therefore, to be alive (M1999/036:005, 007, 008 & 009). Helene's health is delicate. She has been hospitalised and receives on-going treatment. Her 'good care' attests to devoted staff (M1999/036:003 & 005). Julie is close to her mother. She visits her 'every spare moment she can spare' (M1999/036:005 & 006). Helene dies on 3 August 1943. Letters reveal that she was a 'very special' person, loved by one and all (M1999/036:006). Walter and his bride have become estranged from the family. Julie writes how saddened she is by their behaviour (M1999/036:007).
Aftermath: Rosalie and Ernst survived the war. Julie, deported from Darmstadt to Theresienstadt in September 1942, was deported to Auschwitz in October 1944 where she was murdered. Her mother Helene followed in February 1943, but died six months later, on 3 August 1943; her death certificate states cancer as the cause of death. It is not known what happened to Walter.
Production date 1942-03-09
Subjectsigns of life, concentration camp experiences, postal services, loved ones' contact, Red Cross message service
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 148.00 mm
height: 104.00 mm
Language
- German From: '"F"
To: Mr Wilhelm Vollmann, Lüdenscheid
Dated: 9.03.1942
Dear Selma,
Today, Monday morning your regards from last Monday arrived. As you can imagine we already were missing it, how much we were overjoyed, specially because you thought of me with such love. Lots of thanks for the joy. Since then you will have received the card from Saturday night. The forms from the Red Cross are not obtainable at the Post Office, you have to ask for them from Berlin. So you write as follows:
To the German Red Cross, Berlin SW61 Blücherplatz Nr.2. I politely request the remittal
of two forms for the purposes of transferring messages. I send my sincere thanks. Postmarked envelope enclosed.
Now you have to write a letter and enclose an envelope with your address. State "printed matter" three pennies (stamp) because the forms arrive as three pennies printed matter. When one writes to the Red Cross one always has to include a stamped envelope. Once you received the two forms then you can write both of them to two different addresses. For example, one to Melanie Friedmann and one to Seat....(every sheet is double and has to be written in duplicate and signed). The address does not count in the 25 words, neither does the signature. When you have the forms you can send me one which I will fill in for you so that you know how to do it. One receives them only once a month. I have repeatedly requested to have it sent, but have not received anything so far. During that time my people to whom I write the letters, have received prompt replies. I want to write to Mrs. Freundin and to S. for A.M.'s. Now you are somewhat informed, write immediately to Berlin, okay?
Heartiest greetings, thanks, etc. to Willie. Cordial greetings your "F".
(the use of "gelt" in this context means "am I right"; it is not a variant spelling of "Geld" as in money)
(edited by Charlotte Sophie Mayer, 8 July, 2013).
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Rabbi Brian Fox