Object numberM2007/007:004
DescriptionPostcard to Gisela Wiesner in Zagreb, from her father in Brussels, dated 19 May 1941. The postcard has been passed by the censor and is also stamped with 'Fulfil your duty. Support the Winter Relief' in Flemish and French. He writes that he has still not had a letter from Ruth, but that he has heard from Leo and Friedel and was overjoyed by it. He pleads with his daughter to not be homesick, stating that he is well and she should not worry. He tells her that they will all be together soon and sends her 1000 kisses.
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 date 1941
Subjecthuman communication, signs of life, genealogy
Object namepostcards
Dimensions
Language
- German Brussels, 21 may 1941
Please answer
From Ruth we still have had no letter
My dear child Gisela!
Received your 2 cards of 21.04 and 6.5.41 with thanks, you won’t believe how much joy they gave me seeing that I have not had mail from you until now. Dear Gisela you should not worry and ponder. I am keeping well, Thank God, and get regular mail from mother (Mutti). Also had mail through the Red Cross for the first time from Leo and Friedel and was overjoyed by it. They write that they had mail from Otto and Karl frequently. I have not forwarded any to you because it is not possible from here and mother is not yet able to come here to me. The application was refused but mother will repeat it, hopefully it will succeed. Don’t have homesickness, eat and drink as much as you have. I am well and working. In this life one also can not always work. No more important things to report as I greet you from all my heart with 1000 kisses and good wishes for health and good luck. Hopefully time is getting nearer to all meet up again in joy. Regard from uncle Mendel. So dear child, please listen to me and don’t worry, all will be well. From your father Hermann.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr Fritz Adler