Номер объектаM1993/020:001
ОписаниеOriginal typed letter dated 17/10/1945, from Bela Reisz to his brother Szruli in Palestine telling him about their mother who was deported and never heard from again, as well as his own experiences in concentration camps and forced labour.
Место изготовленияDachau concentration camp
Дата 1945-10-17
Наименованиеletters
Материалpaper
Техникаtypewritten
Размерность
- width: 211.00 mm
height: 292.00 mm
Язык
- Hungarian My dear brother Szmuli!
I don’t know if you have received my previous letters (notifications) 1 – 2 short ones from Germany via the Red Cross, just to give you a sign of life. I forwarded also Lire to Nagyvarad the same, but they didn’t receive it, therefore I think you may not have received them either. Now, a not so close relative is travelling to Palestine, and I have now the occasion to write and tell you everything that happened to us during those times. This relative was one of Tata’s cousins, the daughter of Willnar. They lived in a Slovak village called Plavnica. 20 years ago I stayed with them there for 6 months and just a few days under interesting circumstances we met again here in Nagyvarad the home town of her husband. I believe that from our father’s side she is the only relative who survived.
My brother Szruli! You heard only from the exterior and in general, the terrible blow we all went through. Unfortunately it is difficult to describe the terrible time and conditions we lived under and what happened to us. The German entered Nagyvarad at the beginning of April. A few days latter I was called to the labour camp (munkaszolgalat). That was just 1 – 2 days before Pesach. After 2 weeks I was allowed to come home to Va'rad for a visit. It was then the last time I saw mother. I returned to my camp. 2-3 days later all the Jews in Va’rad were forced to go and stay in the ghetto. There was no way in or out.
After different circumstances, our camp came under the authority of the S.S. First they took us in to a concentration camp in Hungary and from there to Germany. I was in different camps. With all the privations I lost unbelievably much weight, got pneumonia, and hardly could drag myself. The 1st of May I was liberated somewhere close to Dachau. I was very sick for a long time and it took me several months to recover. Finally in August I was able to return to Nagyvarad. You can imagine how difficult it was for me to leave mother’s home alone when I had to join the labour camp, but she was a fragile, sick woman, was heroically dealing with the situation. She was the one to give us all encouragement. They stole her from us. She was deported and never heard from her. And what is even worse that we can’t hope for her to return.
Our dear good mother, who was such a good and noble soul, had to suffer such a terrible destiny. At least if she could have had a humane way of passing and could have been laid to rest next to Tata, but even that was not given to her. With her went, never to return to her siblings, brothers and sisters-in-law.
I miss her and missing her specially hurts me. Also never heard from Freund Fulop and family. The relatives besides our siblings are : Freund Annus (I was together with her for a while) Freund Jancsi, and Berti, Ungar Dezso, Freund Jeno and his spouse. Our brother Jeno was not in Germany, however went through a lot of adversity and hardship. His wife and 4 year old sweet little daughter did not return. We hope that his wife eventually may return. He looks well and is working here as the Trade Union Advisory’s secretary.
Approximately 2 months ago our brother Smüle came home. He suffered a lot, almost for 4 years he was in the labour camp and in concentration camps. He was also in Ukraine and was taken to a German camp as well. Now his health is O.K. At present he is working as a locksmith here in a factory. We are living together in Szila’gye Derso Street. He is now happy as the girl he will marry (Rosenthal is her family name) just returned home a couple of days ago. She was also deported.
I did not return to the self employed life but I am taking part in Syndicate work. Heath wise I feel well now. Still I am not married but perhaps now if somebody comes my way…
My dear brother Szruli! I would love so much to hear from you. Try and find a way to communicate with me, if not otherwise try through the Red Cross although it can be only a short message. I would love to know all the details. How you are, what you are doing, what was your life these past 2 years? If my memory does not fail me, it was 2 years the last time we had some news from you when you advised us that you will marry. Who is your wife and where is she from? I am sure you made the right choice. Our brothers and myself are sending our love and regards to her.
Let me know about Szruli’s relatives: Jo’ssi, Edith, Gyula, Berti, Lotti, Unga’r Sanyi, Gottfrried, Zsuzsa and their families. If you can let me know what they are doing. If that is not possible maybe Joszi will be kind enough to do so and write. We send them also our loving regards.
The postal communication is still very difficult. However I hope that from time to time we will be able to keep in touch and know about each other’s health and conditions. For that you and ourselves have to make the effort, and then we will be able to find the way (to keep in touch).
Hopefully later on, the circumstances will be such that it will be possible to have a more orderly postal exchange of letters.
I send my best wishes to you and your wife my dear brother Szruli. I am waiting impatiently to receive some news from you.
Our brothers Jani and Smüle are also sending their loving regards and we are waiting for your letter.
Loving embraces and kisses for both of you
Bela
My address is: Reisz Bela Oradon
Szilogyi Dezso – u 19/d.
Romania
Our brother Jeno’s: Reisz feno
Zoldfa – u.5. Romania
Nagyvrad, 1945 October 17
Кредитная линияSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ms. Ecaterina Varga