Object numberM1992/031:004
DescriptionPostcard to Greta Albera (née Pollak) from her mother Erna Pollak in Vienna, April 1939. Erna requests more regular correspondence from Greta and that she makes contact with a friend called Terry as she has not heard from her in some time.
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 postcard 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 postcard 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.
Subjectchildren, signs of life, keeping in touch
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 148.00 mm
height: 105.00 mm
Language
- German My heartiest beloved child,
We just escorted Fritzi. She left during magnificent weather. Hopefully, she has a safe flight. The trip was very interesting. Father and I accompanied her, but only with our souls and our hearts we flew with her. I hope you are well and cheery. Fritzi carries our [illegible] with her and will soon notify us (?). Please write in more details, we are interested how you spent your days. Yesterday evening, Uncle Josef called. His attendance depends on the negotiations with R., as Ella wants to change some details. I hope everything will be fine in the end. Tomorrow, I will write more details about it.
Heartfelt kisses, mother
PS: Terry is very angry with you, as she hasn't received a message for 3 weeks. She is even angry with us, and yesterday, when I wanted to show her one of your letters, she took it with sharp fingers and then threw it back to us - saying that she doesn't want to hear about you anymore. What does this mean? I tried to explain by saying that due to your injured hand you don't write much to us either. So please, try to atone for this!
In the beginning, you wrote so much to her and now you neglect her. Why? How are things going? Yesterday evening, Edith said good-bye to us. She leaves next Tuesday and wants to stay in London for 2 days. She will probably call Nelly. Extend no invitations, as you don’t have enough money. Also regards from father, Grete and Willy.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Greta Albera