Object numberM2015/029
DescriptionFloral fabric-covered Autograph Friendship Album belonging to Nelly Weiss (nee Merel), born 5 September 1929 in Berlin. It contains 62 pages filled with some 76 dedicatory inscriptions in German and, after she arrived in Sydney, in English. The book is replete with sentiments from Nelly's parents, Mendel and Cecile Merel, her younger brother Sydney, other family members, school teachers and friends, tracing Nelly's journey to freedom in her new home in Australia. The Merel family escaped Nazi Germany in February/March 1938, arriving in Australia on 9 April 1938 on the ship Niagara (NAA A12508 56/252).
The first entry is by Nelly's father on the occasion of her 7th birthday on 5 September 1936.
"Where there's a will there's a way", "Only the strong will master fate", "I love my friends I love my foe" and "This world that we're always in, is very hard to beat, you find thorns on every rose, but aren't the roses sweet" - are examples of some of the pithy rhyme's, sayings and piece of advice contained within.
The donor, Dr Michael Connor, found the book in a second-hand bookshop in Bondi, Sydney, in the mid-1980s.
Nelly passed away on Anzac Day, 25 April 2018, sadly never having been reunited with her childhood book. She was survived by her husband, David, her three children and 8 grandchildren. Her voice and that of her mothers have been immortalised in a musical composition in 2021 by one of her grandsons, Sam Weiss. He was especially touched by his great grandmother’s poem to his grandmother. In a composition titled Deine Mami (Your Mother), her words are performed by the Sydney Children’s Choir.
Deine Mami has come to represent the autograph book, its connection to one Jewish family and its resonance beyond – linking with those forced to escape their homes for the dreams and hopes of an unknown and uncertain future.
Link to the performance video Deine Mami: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1RamnwCH7k
The first entry is by Nelly's father on the occasion of her 7th birthday on 5 September 1936.
"Where there's a will there's a way", "Only the strong will master fate", "I love my friends I love my foe" and "This world that we're always in, is very hard to beat, you find thorns on every rose, but aren't the roses sweet" - are examples of some of the pithy rhyme's, sayings and piece of advice contained within.
The donor, Dr Michael Connor, found the book in a second-hand bookshop in Bondi, Sydney, in the mid-1980s.
Nelly passed away on Anzac Day, 25 April 2018, sadly never having been reunited with her childhood book. She was survived by her husband, David, her three children and 8 grandchildren. Her voice and that of her mothers have been immortalised in a musical composition in 2021 by one of her grandsons, Sam Weiss. He was especially touched by his great grandmother’s poem to his grandmother. In a composition titled Deine Mami (Your Mother), her words are performed by the Sydney Children’s Choir.
Deine Mami has come to represent the autograph book, its connection to one Jewish family and its resonance beyond – linking with those forced to escape their homes for the dreams and hopes of an unknown and uncertain future.
Link to the performance video Deine Mami: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1RamnwCH7k
Production date 1936 - 1942
Production periodpre-World War II
Subjectmemoirs, escape pre-war, signatures, world that was, friendship
Object nameautograph books
Materialpaper, fibres (fabrics)
Dimensions
- width: 137.00 mm
length: 176.00 mm
depth: 17.00 mm
Language
- German Poem written by Cecile to her daughter Nelly, signed 'Deine Mami', Berlin, 5 September 1936.
I was with you many nights,
did you not recognise me?
Watched over your sleep, and quietly held your hand.
I listened to your breathing, hour after hour
And I wished so much for you,
my mouth spoke a blessing.
So my quiet word became a song
and I sang a thousand times.
It carries on with yourself
and I hear it still.
And you who brought life to me,
in our land of loneliness!
Do you know of the dream of the quiet night?
Say, did you recognise me?
Your Mami
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Dr Michael Connor