Object numberM1992/018:003
DescriptionLetter of Appointment from Sydney David Einfeld, President, Australian Jewish Welfare Society (AJWS) (3 pages), Maccabean Hall, 146 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst, 12 March 1957, to Alexander Veslar. The letter outlines his duties and that he will be working directly with postwar Jewish refugees needing help adjusting to life in a foreign country, needing financial assistance, loans or bank guarantees, employment, lodging or social services.
Alexander (Sandor) Veslar was born in the 1890s in Prague. Between 1914-1939, he married Helena Braun. They had two children – Fredy and Gita. He and his wife survived the war either in hiding or by hiding their Jewish identity. At the end of the war they found themselves in DP camps (Displaced Persons). The Czech Embassy in Budapest, in June 1945, declared him to be “indispensable ….. [and] unavailable for any other work.” They spent time in the DP camp Hallien, near Salzburg. He was offered a job with the JDC (American Joint Distribution Committee), working from 1 July 1952 to 10 June 1953 as manager of the Sick Unit of Asten DP Camp. He left the JDC of his own volition “ … leaving his job because of his emigration to Australia.”
He and his wife arrived in Australia in late 1953, or 1954, sponsored by Felix Weiner. From 12 March 1957 he was employed by the AJWS (Australian Jewish Welfare Society) working directly with Jewish European immigrants, helping them to start life afresh in a foreign country, culture and climate. Alexander died 25 February 1992, having been committed to the welfare of others.
One of a collection of 2 letters and an identity card/permit donated by his daughter, Gita Sterenson.
Alexander (Sandor) Veslar was born in the 1890s in Prague. Between 1914-1939, he married Helena Braun. They had two children – Fredy and Gita. He and his wife survived the war either in hiding or by hiding their Jewish identity. At the end of the war they found themselves in DP camps (Displaced Persons). The Czech Embassy in Budapest, in June 1945, declared him to be “indispensable ….. [and] unavailable for any other work.” They spent time in the DP camp Hallien, near Salzburg. He was offered a job with the JDC (American Joint Distribution Committee), working from 1 July 1952 to 10 June 1953 as manager of the Sick Unit of Asten DP Camp. He left the JDC of his own volition “ … leaving his job because of his emigration to Australia.”
He and his wife arrived in Australia in late 1953, or 1954, sponsored by Felix Weiner. From 12 March 1957 he was employed by the AJWS (Australian Jewish Welfare Society) working directly with Jewish European immigrants, helping them to start life afresh in a foreign country, culture and climate. Alexander died 25 February 1992, having been committed to the welfare of others.
One of a collection of 2 letters and an identity card/permit donated by his daughter, Gita Sterenson.
Production date 1957-03-12
Subjectrefugees, immigration, employment
Object nameofficial correspondence
Materialpaper
Techniquetypewritten
Dimensions
- width: 205.00 mm
height: 261.00 mm
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Gita Sterenson