Object numberM2007/007:003
Creator Mr. Joseph Hersch Wiesner
DescriptionPostcard to Gisela Wiesner in Leskoves, Yugoslavia, from her father in Brussels, dated 10 March 1941. In it, he tells her not to worry about him. He gives her the address of Otto Stang in New Jersey, of her uncle David Heller in Haifa, and of her twin siblings Leo and Friedel in London. He informs her that he is desperately looking for work but unfortunately his search remains unsuccessful. He also tells her that her mother has still not managed to join him in Brussels.
Gisela Wiesner was born on 19 April 1924, in Kiel, Germany to Josef Hersch Wiesner and Zirel nee Heller. At the beginning of 1939, the large family all lived in a ‘Judenhaus’ in Kiel, including Gisela’s elder sisters Charlotte and Regina (Ruth), younger twins Frieda and Leopold, and toddler Selma. Within months the family was separated. Leopold and Frieda escaped on a Kindertransport to England. In July, Charlotte escaped to eastern Europe and later attempted to immigrate to Palestine, while Josef fled to Belgium to attain US visas for his family. In September, the rest of the family remaining in Kiel were deported to Leipzig. Zirel, Gisela and Selma were confined to a collection camp there, while Ruth was hospitalised for mental illness.
In September 1940, Ruth was deported to Brandenburg Euthanasia Centre and murdered on arrival. Shortly after in November, Charlotte was killed on board the SS Patria, which suffered an explosion and sank while trying to divert Jewish immigrants from Palestine. Gisela did not learn of their fates until after the war. In 1941, she managed to escape the Leipzig collection camp and, with the help of a Zionist organisation, fled via Zagreb to Italy and later Switzerland.
This card is part of a collection of postcards which were sent regularly to Gisela from Joseph and Zirel during 1941 and 1942. They are filled with news of family, messages of love and advice, and document the last contact between a father, mother and their daughter. By the end of 1942, Gisela had no further signs of life from her parents. Zirel and Selma were deported to Riga where they were murdered. Joseph was deported from Belgium to Auschwitz. He survived Auschwitz and a death march to Neuengamme concentration camp in Germany, but died there of hunger and exhaustion on 11 May 1945, three days after the war had ended.
Gisela Wiesner was born on 19 April 1924, in Kiel, Germany to Josef Hersch Wiesner and Zirel nee Heller. At the beginning of 1939, the large family all lived in a ‘Judenhaus’ in Kiel, including Gisela’s elder sisters Charlotte and Regina (Ruth), younger twins Frieda and Leopold, and toddler Selma. Within months the family was separated. Leopold and Frieda escaped on a Kindertransport to England. In July, Charlotte escaped to eastern Europe and later attempted to immigrate to Palestine, while Josef fled to Belgium to attain US visas for his family. In September, the rest of the family remaining in Kiel were deported to Leipzig. Zirel, Gisela and Selma were confined to a collection camp there, while Ruth was hospitalised for mental illness.
In September 1940, Ruth was deported to Brandenburg Euthanasia Centre and murdered on arrival. Shortly after in November, Charlotte was killed on board the SS Patria, which suffered an explosion and sank while trying to divert Jewish immigrants from Palestine. Gisela did not learn of their fates until after the war. In 1941, she managed to escape the Leipzig collection camp and, with the help of a Zionist organisation, fled via Zagreb to Italy and later Switzerland.
This card is part of a collection of postcards which were sent regularly to Gisela from Joseph and Zirel during 1941 and 1942. They are filled with news of family, messages of love and advice, and document the last contact between a father, mother and their daughter. By the end of 1942, Gisela had no further signs of life from her parents. Zirel and Selma were deported to Riga where they were murdered. Joseph was deported from Belgium to Auschwitz. He survived Auschwitz and a death march to Neuengamme concentration camp in Germany, but died there of hunger and exhaustion on 11 May 1945, three days after the war had ended.
Production placeBrussels, Belgium
Production date 1941-05-10
Object namepostcards
Dimensions
Language
- German Brussels, 10 March 1941
Please answer
Write address clearly
My dear child Gisela!
Have received your letter today with thanks and enjoyed it. Also received the two cards but could not reply because I had no address. Dear child you should not think and worry about me, I am well but do not have enough work. I am doing some work for the support but would like to work every day. From mother I have had no mail yet this week but last week with coming here she did not know it would take more time. Now I am giving you the address of Otto Stang. Famingdale West Farms New Jersey RJ1 America and of David in Haifa Herzlia St. You must look after it well. Leo and Friedel, 124 Kingsburg Road NW9 London. Mendel is also well and sends regards. I am sending you also the address of Thee (?) from Portugal, Conde Valbow, Lisboa. You can write to him right away, then he will forward me your mail when you go to Erez. Nothing more important. Greetings and kisses, wishing you all the very best, don’t think about it, it will turn out alright. Your father, Hermann
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr Fritz Adler