Object numberM1992/029:003
DescriptionDutch identification card in wallet. The document features a photograph of Israel Lissing, the donor’s uncle, on its left panel. This tri-page document has a “J” (signifying Jewishness) imprinted on two of the three pages along with issue information and various stamps and seals. On the reverse of the document are further identification details, including names, birth details, signatures, and fingerprints. One of the stamps on the document is from the Haag Special Police, exempting Israel Lissing from deportation on 21 July 1943. Because of this exemption, Lissing consequently survived, as he was married to a non-Jewish woman and had no children. He was instead sent to a work camp. This identification card is part of a larger collection of documents, photographs, and postcards donated by Betty Lissing.
Rebecca (Betty) Lissing (née Wynschenk) was born in 1923, in Amsterdam, to Jacob Wijnschenk and Sara (née Beesemer), both Dutch Jews. Betty had two siblings: an older brother, Maurits, and a younger brother, Louis. After completing her formal education, Betty undertook further education in dressmaking and pattern-making. She was also an avid gymnast, and trained with the Dutch national Olympic team.
In August 1940, at the age of 17, Betty met her future husband, Herman Lissing, who worked for the Dutch Underground. The couple were married in a group wedding with 18 other Jewish couples in 1941, after Synagogues had closed in the wake of the Netherlands’ surrender to Germany on 15 May, 1940.
The Lissings initially avoided deportation, having received sperres (reprieves issued to essential workers). They talked of escape, but Betty refused to leave Amsterdam while any of her family remained. In 1942, her parents and both brothers were deported via Westerbork to Auschwitz. Sara and Louis were murdered there in December 1942, Jacob in January 1944 and Maurits, murdered in Flossenburg in March 1945.
In 1943, Betty and Herman escaped the Netherlands via train and bicycle and hid in Brussels. However, Herman was soon captured, followed by Betty, and deported to Malines transit camp and then to Auschwitz. Betty was assigned to a work detail in the Union Munitions factory for 18 months, working seven days a week from 6.30pm to 7.00am. During this period, she was reunited with a cousin, Rebecca, whom she credits with aiding her survival.
In January 1945, Betty and Rebecca were transferred from Auschwitz on a death march, arriving at Gliwice (Gleiwitz) where they were then transported to Ravensbrück concentration camp. She was liberated there by the Russians on 30 April 1945, weighing only 37kg. While recovering at Castle Eerde in Ommen, the Netherlands, Betty was reunited with her husband Herman, who had also managed to survive Auschwitz.
The Lissings, with their first child Martin, emigrated to Australia in 1950.
Rebecca (Betty) Lissing (née Wynschenk) was born in 1923, in Amsterdam, to Jacob Wijnschenk and Sara (née Beesemer), both Dutch Jews. Betty had two siblings: an older brother, Maurits, and a younger brother, Louis. After completing her formal education, Betty undertook further education in dressmaking and pattern-making. She was also an avid gymnast, and trained with the Dutch national Olympic team.
In August 1940, at the age of 17, Betty met her future husband, Herman Lissing, who worked for the Dutch Underground. The couple were married in a group wedding with 18 other Jewish couples in 1941, after Synagogues had closed in the wake of the Netherlands’ surrender to Germany on 15 May, 1940.
The Lissings initially avoided deportation, having received sperres (reprieves issued to essential workers). They talked of escape, but Betty refused to leave Amsterdam while any of her family remained. In 1942, her parents and both brothers were deported via Westerbork to Auschwitz. Sara and Louis were murdered there in December 1942, Jacob in January 1944 and Maurits, murdered in Flossenburg in March 1945.
In 1943, Betty and Herman escaped the Netherlands via train and bicycle and hid in Brussels. However, Herman was soon captured, followed by Betty, and deported to Malines transit camp and then to Auschwitz. Betty was assigned to a work detail in the Union Munitions factory for 18 months, working seven days a week from 6.30pm to 7.00am. During this period, she was reunited with a cousin, Rebecca, whom she credits with aiding her survival.
In January 1945, Betty and Rebecca were transferred from Auschwitz on a death march, arriving at Gliwice (Gleiwitz) where they were then transported to Ravensbrück concentration camp. She was liberated there by the Russians on 30 April 1945, weighing only 37kg. While recovering at Castle Eerde in Ommen, the Netherlands, Betty was reunited with her husband Herman, who had also managed to survive Auschwitz.
The Lissings, with their first child Martin, emigrated to Australia in 1950.
Production date 1941-08-28 - 1941-08-28
SubjectHolocaust, racial discrimination, antisemitism
Object nameidentity cards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- cover width: 241.00 mm
cover height: 110.00 mm
card width: 231.00 mm
card height: 106.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Betty Lissing
Documentation
God cried at Auschwitz300002556
God cried at Auschwitz300002556