Object numberM1992/031:012
DescriptionLetter to Greta Albera (née Pollak) from her Grandmother in Vienna. Gretas Grandmother expresses concern about Gretas new job as a nurse, worried that it will be too stressful and intense for her, but also that her job will help many people.
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
Subjectchildren, Kindertransport
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 14.50
height: 22.60
Language
- German
My beloved Greterl
May I use this opportunity to send my heartfelt greetings.
Your…was not well received, my beloved child, I only wished that my sunny child would have a less intense job. However the fact is that it is a noble job that helps people – one cannot argue with that – and I hope you do not lose your sunny disposition.
Regarding us, we are all over the place (literal translation ‘over and under’). We moved in on the 10th of May into Alfo’s rooms, he’s gotten no peace since then. Grandmother is faring quite badly. She needs to be transported in an ambulance.
Everything should be only good! (a proverb?)
I am so looking forward to your lovely, diligent letters. Please write immediately.
Love and greetings and kisses from all of us, especially your grandmother
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Greta Albera