Object numberM1992/031:036
DescriptionLetter to Greta Albera (née Pollak) from her mother Erna Pollak. Erna asks how Greta is settling into her new country and home and passes on details of daily life in Vienna, including a trip to the dentist and a marriage.
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.
Subjectsigns of life, death, loss
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 205.00 mm
height: 295.00 mm
Language
- German M1992/031:036
My beloved child!
Again it seems like an eternity that I had news from you. We still have not yet received the letter you and Liesl had told us about, hopefully it did not get lost in the snow storm. We would love to know whether you have already arrived at your destination, how you feel about it and what kind of an occupation you have. You are in our thoughts constantly and we are constantly worried about you and we pray for your well-being and happiness. Just thinking about you keeps us going, and the hope of a reunion in joy and happiness. Stay healthy and in good spirits and take care, think about all your actions, whether we would approve. As soon as I know that you have settled, you will receive the address of a relative, namely her sister, who is supposed to have worked in the same profession (occupation) for the last two years in the same location and who has already taken the examinations. She is there with her mother and brother and you would have welcome company/contact, I am sure.
Sister of Grung’s (?) daughter-in-law (Aunt Lotti). Supposed to be a nice girl and a nice young man, I have seen the pictures. Now that matters are getting critical, that grandmamma is supposed to depart/leave, you can imagine how my heart aches day and night. I am supposed to be glad that she will be looked after well by uncle and aunt and still, despite this my heart is filled with sadness as I am left behind bereft and alone. A short while ago Wolfi’s parents came to see us on a visit of condolence. They told us that he still has no work opportunities and that he is at the same location, not far, as a guest at a friends’ place. This surprised me very much, as you had told us, that he had left/departed already and had not yet written. So what is correct?
His parents were also astonished about the conflicting reports (The 4 February). Today aunty Wally came to see us, she has not had any news from the little one for a long time. I had a silly accident a fortnight ago, but I have completely recovered. I am totally well. I am being treated by the dentist, he needed an x-ray and while stepping onto the high bed the stool slipped on the polished floor and I fell so awkwardly with my head onto the sharp edged iron bar of an apparatus that was standing close by, that I bled profusely. Now everything is okay again and it was really mostly the shock. You can never be careful enough!
Grandmamma sends her regards and kisses. Please write in detail about your new surroundings. Did you let aunt Jenny know that we fulfilled her and my wish in regards to her niece?
With a tender embrace and kisses
From your Mum
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mrs Greta Albera