Номер объектаM2012/035:003
ОписаниеThis is a letter written to John from his grandmother and grandfather. His grandmother writes the longer portion and let him know how proud she is of him for making such a big trip and how relaxed she is knowing that he is in safe hands. She asks some questions about his life there and tells him that all the Jewish students have been dismissed from the trade school and that he is lucky to be able to continue with his education. She says that his cousin Bruno would also like to go to Manchester and asks that he follows up on any Jewish family willing to take him.
In face of imminent invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 John (Hansi) at age of 14 left for England in February to be received by a distant cousin, the Meeks, in Manchester, whose address became available from another cousin in Poland. John's sister managed to leave for Palestine shortly after. His father Theodore, although on the "wanted" list by the Gestapo managed to escape to Palestine, with the help of Czech officials, after the invasion. His mother stayed to care for her sick mother. She did not survive the war.
The content of this correspondence is mainly a mother-to-son personal chitchat, here and there complemented by a note from John’s father Theodor and grandmother. However to the discerning eye it is also a historical reflection of the gradual tragic deterioration of Helena’s and friends’ fate under German occupation leading to the inevitable deportation.
Grandmother = Paula Haas.
In face of imminent invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 John (Hansi) at age of 14 left for England in February to be received by a distant cousin, the Meeks, in Manchester, whose address became available from another cousin in Poland. John's sister managed to leave for Palestine shortly after. His father Theodore, although on the "wanted" list by the Gestapo managed to escape to Palestine, with the help of Czech officials, after the invasion. His mother stayed to care for her sick mother. She did not survive the war.
The content of this correspondence is mainly a mother-to-son personal chitchat, here and there complemented by a note from John’s father Theodor and grandmother. However to the discerning eye it is also a historical reflection of the gradual tragic deterioration of Helena’s and friends’ fate under German occupation leading to the inevitable deportation.
Grandmother = Paula Haas.
Место изготовленияPrague, Czech Republic
Дата 1939-02-09
Наименованиеletters
Материалpaper
Размерность
- width: 150.00 mm
height: 210.00 mm
Язык
- German My Dear Hanserl, Prag, 09/02/1939
Many thanks for your charming letter; I had to cry with all the pleasure. I heard of course about your happenings during the trip and admire you for having coped with everything, Thank God, because I was really worried about you. After all you are a smart lad. I am more relaxed now knowing you are in safe hands. It will be great for you to be abroad and that is consolation for me whilst I miss you. I’d love to know how you communicate. Do the Meeks speak German too? Do you wear a cap and the brown pullover? Most important, do you get salami? In you bank account there are 1017 Czech Crowns. Your Paula (mother’s mother) is not ….? on this occasion, may be next time. Have you got opportunity to ride your bike and go to the movies? Ruth is getting ready too for her trip, will she too be getting on well, God be willing. Bruno too (Helena’s nephew) would like to be in Manchester, may be you would like to follow up whether another Jewish family would take him in. We could send a snap, he is a good looking decent boy. In the Trade School all the foreign Jewish students have been thrown out, and the Jewish Manager too has been dismissed. A nice state of affairs! You are lucky that you will be able carry on your studies over there, be hard working to make us happy.
Be good in your life, stay well, my dear Hanserl, thousand kisses,
your grandmother
regards to family Meek.
Dear Hans,
I am so happy that you have settled down (?). Be good and obedient
(?)… Regards, Grandfather Roubicek ( Grandmother Paula Haas”s second husband).
Best regards from Bruno ( Bruno Haas, mother Helena’s brother’s son ).
Do send us the address of Mr.Sapper (John’s aunt Sophie’s brother in law who picked John up in Dover) so that we can thank him for his troubles.
Кредитная линияSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr John Gruschka