Object numberM1992/031:035
DescriptionLetter to Greta Albera (née Pollak) from her mother Erna Pollak in Vienna dated 21 February 1939. Erna thanks Greta for her recent letter and update and asks for more details of her life in London, particularly around her living arrangements. Erna also advises her daughter to read the newspaper to help her learn English, but that if she is missing German she should listen to the radio.
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 date 1939-02-21
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 214.00 mm
height: 286.00 mm
Language
- German M1992/031:035
Donor: Greta Albera
Vienna, the 21, February, 1939
My lovely child,
With big pleasure we got both of your letters and reports with many details. So we can get a picture from your new life now. It’s nice that you have seen a lot. Please write always with so many details – like in a diary- so we hear what the day brings you. Do you have a bed? Please send a description from your room and from the house, so we can imagine how it is. Do you have a central heating? When you have cold in the night, then you have to fill the thermos flask with warm water and you will have warmth. Lock your nice things in the locked case, so that nothing can be stolen. That would be a pity.
I’m looking forward to the people who are friendly to you. I hope you will be so popular furthermore, because then it is easier to live. What about the children? Are they already trusting? You have to keep your authority. The respect is important. What do you do on your work and how is the daily accommodation? Can you do all things to your satisfaction or is the work too heavy for you? I’m glad that there is a car in the house and a phone. So you have the possibility to drive sometimes with somebody and to meet people.
Of course we will always send you postcards and letters – but you haven’t to give out so much money for postage – you have all the other things. To save money is nice – but don’t save too much and do things which you want to do. You will know now the value of the money.
I am writing this letter from Aunt Paula, where Papa is playing bridge together with Hans in the garden. I’m glad that Papa has a little bit distraction through that. Today we both had our first English-lesson. Can your cat already good German? (?) I can imagine that the conversation is difficult for you. Ask for people to speak slowly with you. I think you will learn it fast to understand more. Try to read newspapers; there you can also learn a lot. And in free lessons you can learn with your book. Be glad to be away, my lovely child, be glad to be free and under good people. You can hear German radio with the station in the kitchen. Then you can hear the language and you won’t feel alone. Should I send you the Sunday edition from the newspaper? Perhaps you can borrow some German books in the library. I’m sure you will find a German speaking acquaintance.
Your detailed letters were read in the whole house today with a great pleasure. Both children Heinz and Peter profit from that, because I bought them some sweets. After that Heinz said with a deep voice: Aunt Emma brought us sweets because she got a letter from Gretl!
Now I don’t know what I could write. I wish you a good night, my lovely, good child. I embrace you, press you to my heart. You have to wear warm clothes in the house. Do you eat enough? How is the food? Please write about that. You have to eat enough. Please write a lot. It’s the only pleasure we have and when a letter arrives here we have the feeling that you aren’t so far away. Aunt Paula and all other family members send greetings to you. Grandmother was also pleased about the letters. She will also write you.
I hope to hear from you soon!
1000 kisses from Mum
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Greta Albera