Object numberM2003/021:069
Description2 page (a &b) letter, first page is double sided, written in black ink by Elsa and Ernst Ostertag in 'Johnson City' to Max Loewenstein dated 16.12.1939. Ernst Ostertag thanks Max for the photos he sent in his first letter and hopes they will continue their correspondence. He expresses his joy about Charlotte's and Max' engagement, and congratulates Max for making such a good choice. Ernst says, Charlotte is intelligent, a lovely person (also from the inside) and a good housewife. Ernst hopes they will soon be reunited, no matter if Max obtains a visa only for Charlotte or for both Charlotte and her father.
Ernst then writes about the general situation in Germany and how tough life became for Jews: no telephone, no radio, little food rations. Ernst compares Germany to the US and says how much easier their life in Johnson City is (even five weeks after their immigration). Their apartment is quite comfortable, and they like living in the suburbs of the city.
Elsa congratulates Max to his engagement and tells him what a good choice he made. She excuses her son Harry for not having time to write a letter (he is very busy), but he told her to send regards. Elsa expresses regrets for not having met Max, but she hopes to see him one day.
Part of a collection of 168 letters, postcards, documents, photographs and restitution claims belonging to Charlotte Lutufmen (nee Ostertag), born in Hannover, Germany on 3 April 1908 to Alfred and Gertrud Ostertag (nee Callomon). Charlotte was engaged to Max Loewenstein before the war. He moved to Turkey, changed his name to Mahir Lutufmen, converted to Islam, and obtained Turkish citizenship while working for a Dutch tobacco company. Charlotte was unable to obtain a permit to leave Germany and marry her fiancé. In December 1941, age 33, she was deported to Riga Ghetto. In September 1943 she was taken to do forced labour. Then in August 1944, she was deported to Kaiserwald. One month later, she was deported to Stutthof concentration camp and then to Sofienwalde from October 1944 to February 1945. Charlotte lost all her toes to frostbite during the death march back to Germany. After the war, she and Max were reunited. They married in Suelbeck, Germany, in 1947. Charlotte was 39 and Max was 45 years old. She moved to Turkey with him. A few years later they immigrated to Australia where she became an Australian citizen in 1955. Despite her impaired mobility that worsened as she aged, she made something of her life. When she retired in her late 60s she went to TAFE to get the matriculation she was deprived of in Germany and then went on to Macquarie University in her 70s, where she graduated with a BA in her early 80s – the oldest graduate at the time.
Ernst then writes about the general situation in Germany and how tough life became for Jews: no telephone, no radio, little food rations. Ernst compares Germany to the US and says how much easier their life in Johnson City is (even five weeks after their immigration). Their apartment is quite comfortable, and they like living in the suburbs of the city.
Elsa congratulates Max to his engagement and tells him what a good choice he made. She excuses her son Harry for not having time to write a letter (he is very busy), but he told her to send regards. Elsa expresses regrets for not having met Max, but she hopes to see him one day.
Part of a collection of 168 letters, postcards, documents, photographs and restitution claims belonging to Charlotte Lutufmen (nee Ostertag), born in Hannover, Germany on 3 April 1908 to Alfred and Gertrud Ostertag (nee Callomon). Charlotte was engaged to Max Loewenstein before the war. He moved to Turkey, changed his name to Mahir Lutufmen, converted to Islam, and obtained Turkish citizenship while working for a Dutch tobacco company. Charlotte was unable to obtain a permit to leave Germany and marry her fiancé. In December 1941, age 33, she was deported to Riga Ghetto. In September 1943 she was taken to do forced labour. Then in August 1944, she was deported to Kaiserwald. One month later, she was deported to Stutthof concentration camp and then to Sofienwalde from October 1944 to February 1945. Charlotte lost all her toes to frostbite during the death march back to Germany. After the war, she and Max were reunited. They married in Suelbeck, Germany, in 1947. Charlotte was 39 and Max was 45 years old. She moved to Turkey with him. A few years later they immigrated to Australia where she became an Australian citizen in 1955. Despite her impaired mobility that worsened as she aged, she made something of her life. When she retired in her late 60s she went to TAFE to get the matriculation she was deprived of in Germany and then went on to Macquarie University in her 70s, where she graduated with a BA in her early 80s – the oldest graduate at the time.
Production placeUnited States
Production date 1939-01-16
SubjectPre-war life, families, survivors
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 220.00 mm
height: 280.00 mm
Language
- German
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Annette Brett