Object numberM2007/007:002
Creator Mr. Joseph Hersch Wiesner
DescriptionPostcard to Gisela Wiesner in Ljubljana from her father in Brussels on 8 November 1941. The message in German refers to an application that was expensive and needed to be lodged, perhaps a visa application. Her father also expressed deep concern about the wellbeing of his daughters, particularly Ruth who he had no sign of life from.
Gisela Wiesner was born on 19 April 1924, in Kiel, Germany to Josef Hersch Wiesner and Zirel nee Heller. At the beginning of 1939, the large family all lived in a ‘Judenhaus’ in Kiel, including Gisela’s elder sisters Charlotte and Regina (Ruth), younger twins Frieda and Leopold, and toddler Selma. Within months the family was separated. Leopold and Frieda escaped on a Kindertransport to England. In July, Charlotte escaped to eastern Europe and later attempted to immigrate to Palestine, while Josef fled to Belgium to attain US visas for his family. In September, the rest of the family remaining in Kiel were deported to Leipzig. Zirel, Gisela and Selma were confined to a collection camp there, while Ruth was hospitalised for mental illness.
In September 1940, Ruth was deported to Brandenburg Euthanasia Centre and murdered on arrival. Shortly after in November, Charlotte was killed on board the SS Patria, which suffered an explosion and sank while trying to divert Jewish immigrants from Palestine. Gisela did not learn of their fates until after the war. In 1941, she managed to escape the Leipzig collection camp and, with the help of a Zionist organisation, fled via Zagreb to Italy and later Switzerland.
This card is part of a collection of postcards which were sent regularly to Gisela from Joseph and Zirel during 1941 and 1942. They are filled with news of family, messages of love and advice, and document the last contact between a father, mother and their daughter. By the end of 1942, Gisela had no further signs of life from her parents. Zirel and Selma were deported to Riga where they were murdered. Joseph was deported from Belgium to Auschwitz. He survived Auschwitz and a death march to Neuengamme concentration camp in Germany, but died there of hunger and exhaustion on 11 May 1945, three days after the war had ended.
Gisela Wiesner was born on 19 April 1924, in Kiel, Germany to Josef Hersch Wiesner and Zirel nee Heller. At the beginning of 1939, the large family all lived in a ‘Judenhaus’ in Kiel, including Gisela’s elder sisters Charlotte and Regina (Ruth), younger twins Frieda and Leopold, and toddler Selma. Within months the family was separated. Leopold and Frieda escaped on a Kindertransport to England. In July, Charlotte escaped to eastern Europe and later attempted to immigrate to Palestine, while Josef fled to Belgium to attain US visas for his family. In September, the rest of the family remaining in Kiel were deported to Leipzig. Zirel, Gisela and Selma were confined to a collection camp there, while Ruth was hospitalised for mental illness.
In September 1940, Ruth was deported to Brandenburg Euthanasia Centre and murdered on arrival. Shortly after in November, Charlotte was killed on board the SS Patria, which suffered an explosion and sank while trying to divert Jewish immigrants from Palestine. Gisela did not learn of their fates until after the war. In 1941, she managed to escape the Leipzig collection camp and, with the help of a Zionist organisation, fled via Zagreb to Italy and later Switzerland.
This card is part of a collection of postcards which were sent regularly to Gisela from Joseph and Zirel during 1941 and 1942. They are filled with news of family, messages of love and advice, and document the last contact between a father, mother and their daughter. By the end of 1942, Gisela had no further signs of life from her parents. Zirel and Selma were deported to Riga where they were murdered. Joseph was deported from Belgium to Auschwitz. He survived Auschwitz and a death march to Neuengamme concentration camp in Germany, but died there of hunger and exhaustion on 11 May 1945, three days after the war had ended.
Production placeBrussels, Belgium
Production date 1941-11-08 - 1941-11-08
Object namepostcards
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- length: 90.00 mm
width: 139.00 mm
Language
- German
Brussels, 8 November 1941
My very dear child Gisela!
Have received your card of 25 of last month with thanks. It delights me very much (to hear) about your well-being. Am able to report to you the same about me, that I am well. Dear Gisela, I went there immediately by train and sought advice. It did cost a lot and it took very many months but still I shall send it to you it has to be submitted/lodged. Have sent you your blue skirt posted as registered (mail). Hopefully you will get it for I do not know yet for sure? I shall write to you when it is ready. Mother has also written to me that she has submitted/lodged hopefully she will be successful. From
(Other side of postcard …)
Ruth I have not received a sign of life till today. I am also very worried. Otherwise nothing of importance. 1000 times cordial greetings and kisses. Also Mendel sends many regards to you. From me your father Hermann. You still have not received my letter with (the) picture/photo?
J.H.Wiesner Brussels
Rue d’Herschet 70
To Miss Gisela Wiesner (Belgian stamp 1 Franc)
Grad Lesno Brodo
Porto Horjul 1
Lubiana
Italien
Date stamps
B – Bruxelles – Brussels
9.10.1941 (when postcard was purchased?)
L – HQ? Lubiana
17.XI (when postcard was received in Lubiana?)
W – Deutsche Wehrmacht (German Army)
Censorship
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr Fritz Adler