Object numberM1992/031:003
DescriptionPostcard to Greta Albera (née Pollak) from her mother Erna Pollak in Vienna, dated April 1943. In this postcard, Erna updates Greta on a number of family friends and relations, sharing news relating to a suicide, a wedding, along with their own emigration plans.
Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak), was born in Linz, Austria on 9 September 1920. She was the only child of Erna Pollak, born on 15 March 1895, and Isidor Pollak, born on 18 December 1879. Greta successfully emigrated to the United Kingdom in January 1939 where she worked as a governess, a home helper, and later as a nurse until the war ended. During her time in England, she was able to communicate with her parents who remained in Vienna. This contact was made possible through family friends living in Switzerland, who would pass on the messages and later through the Red Cross letter system. Gretas parents Isidor and Erna were transported to the Theresienstadt Ghetto in Terezin, Czechoslovakia on 9 October 1942. Both were murdered there, Erna on 9 May 1944 and Isidor on 16 May 1944. While living in England, Greta married Bedrich Albera, before emigrating to Israel, and later settling in Australian in 1954. She was the only member of her family to survive.
This letter is part of a collection of personal correspondence donated by Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak). The correspondence was sent during 1939 - 1942, between Greta and various members of her family.
Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak), was born in Linz, Austria on 9 September 1920. She was the only child of Erna Pollak, born on 15 March 1895, and Isidor Pollak, born on 18 December 1879. Greta successfully emigrated to the United Kingdom in January 1939 where she worked as a governess, a home helper, and later as a nurse until the war ended. During her time in England, she was able to communicate with her parents who remained in Vienna. This contact was made possible through family friends living in Switzerland, who would pass on the messages and later through the Red Cross letter system. Gretas parents Isidor and Erna were transported to the Theresienstadt Ghetto in Terezin, Czechoslovakia on 9 October 1942. Both were murdered there, Erna on 9 May 1944 and Isidor on 16 May 1944. While living in England, Greta married Bedrich Albera, before emigrating to Israel, and later settling in Australian in 1954. She was the only member of her family to survive.
This letter is part of a collection of personal correspondence donated by Greta Mirjam Albera (née Pollak). The correspondence was sent during 1939 - 1942, between Greta and various members of her family.
Production placeVienna, Austria
Production date 1939-04-27
Subjectsuicide, signs of life, children
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 148.00 mm
height: 105.00 mm
Language
- German Thursday, 27.IV.39
My deeply beloved child!
I had all the good laundry in the wash kitchen today, I just came back. I also managed to transport all of Grandma's [illegible] and I took in a man to help us box our belongings. I hope this will unburden Grandma. Today, we went to Hotel "Post" (we go there whenever I don't have enough time to cook - the menu is very cheap, 93 Pfennig), where we met Mr and Mrs Adler and the old Wilenstag. She knows all sorts of news, Bruno Feisner is supposed to marry the Koblitz and guess what, Erwin's father has supposedly committed suicide - on the day Oskar arrived in Prague! Isn't that horrible, the poor wife! - Felise is writing letters of moan from ?. Lou cannot find a job, doesn't have much left for living and begs his parents to help him immigrate - at least temporarily - to Cyprus. [name] Jellinek already arrived in Manchester. She writes that she had a very warm welcome, already attends school and got a school uniform. Her parents also have a permit for England; it would be nice if the father would already be there (here?). Peterle is delighted about his Uncle, yesterday they both went to the 'Prater' and Peterle did a ride on a real horse. He blames his mother, why she didn't introduce him to his dear Uncle earlier. Poor Heinzi still has to lie, this is the only way to restrain him, otherwise he would cause too much chaos. How are your kids doing? Does it get better? When you sit in the park, please use every once a while the cards, we sometimes send to you. You see how much information you can put on them. I hope, my beloved daughter, you are alive and kicking. I pray for your fortune and your wellbeing. I hope you can make a nice trip on Sunday. And please, if you can, try to arrange seeing Lizzi as she is in London this weekend, maybe she is able to keep up with you? She's bringing something with her.
Many hugs and kisses, mother
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Greta Albera