Object numberM2003/021:082
DescriptionLetter written in pencil on note paper from Charlotte to Max. envelope included. franked in Hannover 09.06.1942 and opened by the censor. This could be the 'last letter' from Charlotte Ostertag in Germany before she was sent to Riga.
She writes: "My very dear Max, dear dear boy. It feels so good to be able once again to say 'hello' that my lips often said your names, that, more than ever, our lives are lived for you, you will surely understand that. ....After the cold winter it goes without saying, that many a time one complains about an ache of some sort and I am doing so about toothaches in a big way...." See inscriptions/marks
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.
She writes: "My very dear Max, dear dear boy. It feels so good to be able once again to say 'hello' that my lips often said your names, that, more than ever, our lives are lived for you, you will surely understand that. ....After the cold winter it goes without saying, that many a time one complains about an ache of some sort and I am doing so about toothaches in a big way...." See inscriptions/marks
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 placeHannover, Germany
Production date 1942-06-09
Subjectsigns of life, health
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 220.00 mm
height: 280.00 mm
Language
- German My very dear Max, dear dear boy
It feels so good to be able once again to say “hello” that my lips often said your names, that, more than ever, our lives are lived for you, you will surely understand that. Hopefully you are healthy/well and are spending your summer days in some beautiful surroundings.
We want to come home to you, this is why we are doing our duty. Alfred and I are also together …., Louis and ….. with whom we sometimes sit in the evening.
Now, since the weather has become warmer, we are quite well. After the cold winter it goes without saying, that many a time one complains about an ache of some sort and I am doing so about toothaches in a big way. However, when we look at one another, one smiles and says: “Forward”.
Stay healthy and strong or all your loved ones and for us.
Our thoughts to all the loved ones, our most ardent greetings to you all
Lottchen (* diminutive of Charlotte/Lotte)
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Annette Brett