Object numberM2003/021:135
DescriptionTyped letter addressed to Max Lowenstein from Walter Kan, on 'Mahsul' letterhead (a) and (b) is reply from M. Loewenstein to Herr Kan. These letters between Max Loewenstein and his employer concerning his plans to change his name to Mahir Lutufmen. Typewritten: "Confidential".;Part of Lutufmen collection that documents the entire life of Charlotte Lutufmen from before the war in Germany, through survival of the Holocaust, return to Germany, marriage of long-time fiancee Maw Lutufmen (nee Lowenstein) who has escaped the Holocaust working in Turkey during the war, migration to Australia ect. This document is significant in the context of repatriation and treatment of Holocaust survivors immediately after WW2 in Germany.
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.
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 placeTurkey
Production date 1940-12-31 - 1941-01-03
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- a width: 220.00 mm
a height: 286.00 mm
b width: 227.00 mm
b height: 296.00 mm
Language
- German FRONT
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Max Loewenstein
Dutch-Turkish Tobacco Co.
Izmir
31st December 1940
Dear Mr. Loewenstein,
I have already instructed you through Mr. de Groot to make immediate enquiries whether there are any legal concerns of you maintaining your official Turkish name. It is my intention, if it should be necessary to allocate "signature powers" to the new 'Mahsul' Tutun Ihracat T.A.S. which will execute the orders of can Egmont.
Although van Egmont agrees with your activities with us, it would for reasons clear to you, be more pleasant if you could appear at the 'Mahsul' in disguise i.e. under your Turkish name. You also need to find out from the competent authorities if you can carry the name Mahir Lutufmen officially and let me know about it as soon as possible.
I am using this opportunity also in my wife's name, to wish you the very best for the New Year. I am also hoping that the next year shall bring us the anticipated peace with the consequence that such camouflaging will not be necessary in the future.
With friendly regards
Walter Kan
PS: You reply, as usual to me at Posta Kutusu 1295.
BACK (typed answer by Max Loewenstein/Mahir Lutufmen0
Izmir
3rd January 1941
Dear Mr. Kan:
your letter dated 31st December arrived here today and I am repeating to you the results of my enquiries.
I have spoken to the following gentlemen: a notary friend of mine and the director of the law department of the VILAYET. All the gentlemen have assured me that I am officially entitled to carry the new name MAHIR LUTUFMEN, after the MUFTILIK has given permission to transfer to the Mohammedan religion. The change of name would be automatically connected with that. On the basis of the document of the MUFTI has the VILAYET directed the Police to take notice of my new name. There-after was my IKAMET TESKEREZI [=residence permit] changed and issued in the new name. As my German passport carries my old name and the German authorities do not execute the name change (I have made enquiries at the consulate there). The fact results that as of now I carry two names, which are both recognized by the local authorities. On the suggestion of our attorney I have on that point made special enquiries at the police directorate, who assumed me that both names apply to me. With the issueing of the IKAMET TESKEREZI,a mistake has appeared, as the clerk was supposed to show both names simultaneously. I was assured that the matter was not of incompetence and would not affect the factual situation, and that both the police as well as the other authoritites would accept both names. This seems to result from the fact that the VILAYET notified the police of the name change.
Our attorney will still make enquiries about the possibility of the foreign minister to apply to the German authorities to also change my name. My assumption is that this process would not be so simple and take a long time. In any case, according to the attorney there are no doubts that my name is officially accepted and that any circular my new name can without a doubt and in accord with local law appear according to local laws.
For your information I am forwarding you herewith a copy of the application made my the VILAYET and as well the certified copy of the document obtained from the MUFTILIK.
Many thanks for your efforts and the good wishes sent I reciprocate.
Your devoted
[no signature]
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Annette Brett