Object numberM2011/070:056
DescriptionCertificate of reference for Dina Weizer testifying to her employment as a cashier at a cinema and recommending her as an employee. From 1936 a succession of laws were passed forbidding employment of Jews, and it is suspected that she lost her job for this reason. Alternatively, as the certificate refers to the sale of the business, the business may have been originally Jewish-owned and forced by the Nuremberg laws to be sold to a non-Jew, causing Dina to lose her job.
"Miss Dina Weizer, living in Berlin-Wilmersdorf, was working for us as a cashier. she was diligent, honest and reliable and had showed initiative. Due to the sale of the business I had to unfortunately discharge her, but I can recommend her as a reliable and devoted person and I wish her good luck and all the best for the future."
Part of a collection related to Dina Prager (nee Weizer) and the Weizer family.
Dina Grzyb was born on 11 October 1909 in Berlin to Polish Jews, Sara (nee Eisig) and Samuel Grzyb. The family changed their name from 'Grzyb' to the more German sounding 'Weizer' in 1933, most likely to avoid discrimination.
Dina worked as a shop assistant at a corsetry factory from 1928-1929, then as a cashier at the Admirals Theatre in Berlin. From 1936 a succession of laws were passed forbidding employment of Jews and forcing Jewish businesses to transfer ownership to those of 'German blood'. Dina subsequently lost her job as the theatre was forced to sell. She managed to find work for a few months at a men's clothing shop, before that business too was forced to close.
Struggling to find employment, Dina applied to emigrate. In 1938, she immigrated from Berlin to Uruguay with her sister Berta Hollander and Berta's husband. They had to leave behind their mother Sara who was being cared for by their middle sister. Dina's father Samuel had died in 1927. Sara was deported from Berlin to Theresienstadt on 14 September 1942. She survived Theresienstadt and the Weizer family were reunited in Uruguay in 1948, after spending time in DP camps waiting for their visas.
In 1948, Dina met and married Lothar Prager in Uruguay. Lothar had immigrated to Uruguay from Breslau, Germany in 1938. He had moved from an affluent life in Breslau, a home with crystal chandeliers, to a life of struggle and hardship in Uruguay. He learned just enough Spanish to sell the blouses he began manufacturing. For years he was a travelling salesman carrying suitcases of samples, just managing to stay afloat. Lothar's parents and sister who could not escape Europe were murdered in the Holocaust.
Dina and Lothar had one son, Victor Prager. After Lothar passed away, Victor and daughter-in-law Rita immigrated to Australia in January 1993, where Rita's parents, also Holocaust survivors, were living.
"Miss Dina Weizer, living in Berlin-Wilmersdorf, was working for us as a cashier. she was diligent, honest and reliable and had showed initiative. Due to the sale of the business I had to unfortunately discharge her, but I can recommend her as a reliable and devoted person and I wish her good luck and all the best for the future."
Part of a collection related to Dina Prager (nee Weizer) and the Weizer family.
Dina Grzyb was born on 11 October 1909 in Berlin to Polish Jews, Sara (nee Eisig) and Samuel Grzyb. The family changed their name from 'Grzyb' to the more German sounding 'Weizer' in 1933, most likely to avoid discrimination.
Dina worked as a shop assistant at a corsetry factory from 1928-1929, then as a cashier at the Admirals Theatre in Berlin. From 1936 a succession of laws were passed forbidding employment of Jews and forcing Jewish businesses to transfer ownership to those of 'German blood'. Dina subsequently lost her job as the theatre was forced to sell. She managed to find work for a few months at a men's clothing shop, before that business too was forced to close.
Struggling to find employment, Dina applied to emigrate. In 1938, she immigrated from Berlin to Uruguay with her sister Berta Hollander and Berta's husband. They had to leave behind their mother Sara who was being cared for by their middle sister. Dina's father Samuel had died in 1927. Sara was deported from Berlin to Theresienstadt on 14 September 1942. She survived Theresienstadt and the Weizer family were reunited in Uruguay in 1948, after spending time in DP camps waiting for their visas.
In 1948, Dina met and married Lothar Prager in Uruguay. Lothar had immigrated to Uruguay from Breslau, Germany in 1938. He had moved from an affluent life in Breslau, a home with crystal chandeliers, to a life of struggle and hardship in Uruguay. He learned just enough Spanish to sell the blouses he began manufacturing. For years he was a travelling salesman carrying suitcases of samples, just managing to stay afloat. Lothar's parents and sister who could not escape Europe were murdered in the Holocaust.
Dina and Lothar had one son, Victor Prager. After Lothar passed away, Victor and daughter-in-law Rita immigrated to Australia in January 1993, where Rita's parents, also Holocaust survivors, were living.
Production placeBerlin, Germany
Production date 1937-01-05
SubjectPre-war life, employment, Nuremberg laws
Object namereferences
Dimensions
- width: 210.00 mm
length: 275.00 mm
depth: 1.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Rita Prager