Object numberM2017/013
DescriptionBlack and white photograph taken in Pithiviers transit camp. Jacqueline’s (the donor’s) father, Icek Feldman is in the back row on the far right. There is an inscription on the back 'Mon chere pere adore, au camp de Pithiviers 1941-42' (My dear father loves Pithivier Camp 1941-42).
Icek (Isaac) was born on 18 January 1903 in Lodz, Poland and was an observant Jew. He was the youngest son in his family. In 1929 he married Pessa H. Flambaum in Poland, despite his parents’ wishes, because she couldn’t produce a dowry. Icek and Pessa moved to Paris soon after for a better life. He worked as a tailor from home making pants, with the help of his wife, who would sew on the buttons and do the hemming. Icek attended night school to learn French, whilst he spoke Yiddish at home with Pessa.
Their first child Jacqueline was born on 18 January 1931. On 4 December 1937, Icek and Pessa had their second child, Charles.
Once the war broke out, Icek joined the French Foreign legion voluntarily and served in North Africa.
In May 1941, Icek received a letter from the local French authorities requesting he report to them. He was trusting of authorities having served in the French Foreign Legion and believed they would protect him. He was deported to Pithiviers were he stayed until July 1942, when he was deported to Auschwitz and murdered.
After Icek’s arrest, German soldiers visited Jacqueline’s apartment to take her family to a camp, but they managed to hide. Afterwards Pessa decided to flee to the Zone Libre (unoccupied territory) in the south of France. Pessa, Jacqueline and Charles survived with the help of the OSE, (Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants) a children’s aid organisation, by hiding in homes and orphanages until the end of the war.
Jacqueline migrated to Australia in 1949 and Pessa followed her in 1977. Charles lives between Israel and Australia. Jacqueline volunteers at the Sydney Jewish Museum in memory of her father and extended family who were murdered during the Holocaust.
This photograph is part of a collection of birthday cards, letters, identity cards and certificates donated by Jacqueline from 2003 to 2017.
Icek (Isaac) was born on 18 January 1903 in Lodz, Poland and was an observant Jew. He was the youngest son in his family. In 1929 he married Pessa H. Flambaum in Poland, despite his parents’ wishes, because she couldn’t produce a dowry. Icek and Pessa moved to Paris soon after for a better life. He worked as a tailor from home making pants, with the help of his wife, who would sew on the buttons and do the hemming. Icek attended night school to learn French, whilst he spoke Yiddish at home with Pessa.
Their first child Jacqueline was born on 18 January 1931. On 4 December 1937, Icek and Pessa had their second child, Charles.
Once the war broke out, Icek joined the French Foreign legion voluntarily and served in North Africa.
In May 1941, Icek received a letter from the local French authorities requesting he report to them. He was trusting of authorities having served in the French Foreign Legion and believed they would protect him. He was deported to Pithiviers were he stayed until July 1942, when he was deported to Auschwitz and murdered.
After Icek’s arrest, German soldiers visited Jacqueline’s apartment to take her family to a camp, but they managed to hide. Afterwards Pessa decided to flee to the Zone Libre (unoccupied territory) in the south of France. Pessa, Jacqueline and Charles survived with the help of the OSE, (Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants) a children’s aid organisation, by hiding in homes and orphanages until the end of the war.
Jacqueline migrated to Australia in 1949 and Pessa followed her in 1977. Charles lives between Israel and Australia. Jacqueline volunteers at the Sydney Jewish Museum in memory of her father and extended family who were murdered during the Holocaust.
This photograph is part of a collection of birthday cards, letters, identity cards and certificates donated by Jacqueline from 2003 to 2017.
Production placePithiviers, France
Production date 1941 - 1942
Subjecttransit camps, victims
Object namephotographs
Language
- French My dear father loves Pithivier Camp 1941-1942
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Jacqueline Dale