Gedenkstätten- Special Issue, June 2020 Rundschau News from: Arbeitskreis „Wüste“ Balingen, Gedenkstätten KZ Bisingen, KZ-Gedenkstätten Eckerwald/Schörzingen und Dautmergen-Schömberg, Ehem. Synagoge Haigerloch, KZ Gedenkstätte Hailfi ngen · Tailfi ngen, Alte Synagoge Hechingen, Stauffenberg Gedenkstätte Albstadt-Lautlingen, Löwenstein-Forschungsverein Mössingen, Ehem. Synagoge Rexingen, Gedenkstätte Synagoge Rottenburg-Baisingen, Ehem. Synagoge Rottweil, Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen, Verein Lern- und Dokumentationszentrum zum Nationalsozialismus Tübingen

From the Neckar River to the Mediterranean – Shavei Tzion Was Founded 82 Years Ago.

Barbara Staudacher, Horb. Translated by Rosy Lumsden and Sarah Davis-Röck

“Once upon a time there was a villa- became famous because of Shavei tourist guide in Shavei Tzion, liked to ge in the Black Forest and this village Tzion, Shavei Tzion, on the other characterize the two villages when would have remained completely hand, became famous because of the he took groups of German visitors unknown if we hadn‘t come to Shavei Rexingers.” This is how Pinchas Er- around his new home. And today, 10 Tzion. Yes, you got it, Rexingen langer from Ravensburg, a baker and years after his death, this still applies.

The fi rst day in Shavei Tzion. In the background, the barracks made from prefabricated parts are being erected. From left: Hans Schwarz, Siegfried Steinharter, Hermann Gideon, Isidor Loewengart, Manfred Scheuer, Manfred Weil, and Leopold Schwarz.(Courtesy Rexinger Synagogenverein)

1 Dear friends all over the world!

Since 2008, the Gedenkstätten- Rundschau is the biannual joint periodical of the Gedenkstätten- verbund Gäu-Neckar-Alb, a con- federation of thirteen memorial associations in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The Gedenk- stätten-Rundschau provides both the Gedenkstättenverbund’s mem- ber associations and the public with information about research and current projects. Every member association is in close contact with descendants of Jewish families and former concen- tration camp inmates. Children, grandchildren, and great-grand- children regularly visit the places which were of such importance to their ancestors. The descendants support our work with photos, documents, family stories, and last “And that stood in Rexingen, high above our houses and disheartened us no end”, recounted Her- but not least by encouraging and mann Gideon, a cattle-dealer’s son. He recognised the danger and he and his sister Käthe joined the appreciating our work. group of emigrants. (Courtesy Rexinger Synagogenverein) This special issue of the Gedenk- stätten-Rundschau in English is a Should We Stay or Should We Go? Hedwig, however, managed to little thank you to all our friends On the 13th of April 1938, 80 years convince her parents Alfred and Bella who do not speak German. Thank ago, the village by the Mediterranean Hopfer, to take that step and come to you for your interest in our work was founded, situated just a few kilo- Palestine. But her parents-in-law made and your support! metres north of the old crusader town the decision to stay behind and died in Finally, we would like to thank all of Akko and about 20 kilometres from 1942 in Treblinka. authors who contributed to this the Lebanese border. Its founders That being said, it wasn’t easy to issue! were men and women from Rexin- take your parents with you. In fact gen, who 2 years previously had deci- nothing was easy for Jews in Nazi ded to take this brave and life-saving Germany. They were forced to emi- Most of the visitors who come to step. Their shared vision was to create grate, but the Nazis made this emigra- Rexingen to see the former Synago- a settlement in what was then British- tion as diffi cult as possible, from state gue or the old Jewish graveyard know ruled Palestine. Their fi ght to achieve sponsored theft to offi cials humiliating of Shavei Tzion or have been there. this was at times hard and desperate. them at every given opportunity. And And vice versa, Rexingen is nearly a Most of them were young people, then there were the strict immigration household name for those who come couples with children, tradesmen, requirements for Mandatory Palestine to Shavei Tzion to learn more about its cattle-dealers, bank employees and laid down by the English. Offi cial history. There they are taken into the housewives. They all had one thing in approval was expensive and there so called ‘Rexingen Room’, the memo- common: an increasing concern about were quotas for certain professions, rial to those parents, grandparents, the future and that of their children. meaning that the chances for a whole relatives, neighbours and friends who Wolf Berlinger, a young Zionist and group applying for immigration status stayed behind, for those who weren’t teacher in Rexingen in 1933, was were slim. This didn’t put the Rexin- saved. 128 names are engraved on the instrumental in enabling the Rexingers gers off, in fact when they realised wall and there isn’t one founder of to take this step. that there were not enough of them Shavei Tzion who didn’t have to bear “As Nazi activity increased, only to run the planned agricultural settle- the loss of a loved one in the Shoah. we, the younger generation, saw the ment viably, they advertised in other On the 9th of November 1938, the writing on the wall. We knew that we Jewish communities in Southern Torah scroll from Rexingen’s synago- had to act. However our attempts at Germany, resulting in families from gue was damaged. It was later saved trying to convince the older generati- Baisingen, Freudental, Ludwigsburg, and is now on display in Shavei Tzion’s on of the steps to be taken fell on Buchau, Buttenhausen, München, ‘Rexingen Room’. deaf ears.” These lines are from Mannheim, Würzburg and other Hedwig Neckarsulmer’s memoirs. places coming on board. In the end

2 The Jewish National Fund used this well-distributed brochure to publicise the successful group emigration from Nazi Germany. They hoped that other Jewish communities would take note and follow in their footsteps. However, at the end of the day it was too late. Hardly anyone managed to escape after the 9th of November 1938. (Courtesy Rexinger Synagogenverein) they had not only enough people, but they would be reunited and that there the English had not yet approved all 41 also the necessary capital and support would be a lively coming and going immigration applications. to dare to take this step. between their old and their new Some families still had to put their They had already drafted a coopera- offshoot community on the Mediterra- affairs in order, sell their house, tive contract, as their settlement was nean. Wolf Berlinger, the teacher who organise the transport of their be- not to be a Kibbutz, which would have was part of the group of emigrants longings and struggle with the Nazi meant forgoing private property. They along with his wife, put it like this, authorities for permission to leave the were too Swabian for that. They all “Today isn’t a farewell party, but a country. agreed that their earnings should be party to mark the foundation of a Their leaving was marked by spiteful paid into a common house-keeping beginning in Eretz Israel. We want to comments in the press, but also, kitty, with every family or individual open a branch of our community according to Resi Schwarz, by sad being paid only according to their there, which will gradually become reactions from their neighbours who, needs. However, they wanted to run our headquarters.” as they were leaving in 1938, cried their own households independently of Unfortunately, the idea of two and asked, “Why are you going? We one another within their own walls. existing Jewish communities, one in won’t hurt you.” On the 6th of February 1938, the Rexingen and the other in Shavei Once in Palestine, the fi rst group of Jewish families in Rexingen held a Tzion, was soon to be destroyed by Rexingers joined forces with the farewell service in their synagogue the brutal reality of Nazi Germany. emigrants from the other southern with the Rabbi from Horb, Dr. Abra- The fi rst group left Germany on the German communities. In the early ham Schweizer. Their parting was 14th of February and sailed from Triest morning of Wednesday the 13th of diffi cult, but they consoled themselves to Haifa. Not all of the 41 men, women April 1938, they began with the with the belief that in better times and children were part of this group, as creation of Shavei Tzion. Their plot,

3 Aerial photograph of Shavei Tzion from 1939. In the center, one can see the barracks, the guard tower, and the wooden “Lift” containers as well as the fi rst concrete buildings and the new water tower. On the right, next to the beach, are some small portable chicken houses. The street on the left runs to the Nahariyah-Haifa main road. (Courtesy Rexinger Synagogenverein) that had been chosen by 3 scouts, was The New Life ny were destroyed and the men given to them on the basis of a long Life was hard and full of deprivati- arrested and deported to Dachau. Not term building lease by the Jewish on. From day one both the men and everyone who had committed to the National Fund. the women were faced with tough cooperative managed to escape. There The plot had been bought from a manual work and every day brought were instances where people’s be- Turkish princess, Madame Said Pascha, its own challenge, whether it was longings were on their way to Shavei and was called ‘El Sitt’ by the Arab the unfamiliar climate, the strange Tzion whilst they were being deported neighbours, which means ‘a woman’s food, the makeshift sanitation or to Riga. Among them were Martha land’. It was surrounded by Arab the sheer isolation in inhospitable and Simon Fröhlich from Wiesen- villages. The only Jewish settlement and dangerous terrain. And yet they bronn, Friederike and Berhold was 3 kilometres away in Naharija, managed. Little by little, they laid out Schweizer from Baisingen and the which was also founded by Jewish gardens and fi elds, roads and paths, Lembergers from Rexingen – Isidor refugees from Germany. These the fi rst animals - chickens - were in- and Rosa with their four sons. refugees helped enormously with the troduced, they rested on the Sabbath, During Shavei Tzion’s fi rst year, creation of Shavei Tzion. An enclosed tried out the sea and cautiously got to houses and the water tower, which camp with barracks and a water and know the area. still dominates the village’s image watch tower was erected within one Dr Manfred Scheuer, a lawyer from today, were built, children were born day, thanks to prefabricated and Heilbronn, captured all the ups and and a synagogue was erected. The preassembled building material. downs in that fi rst year in his concise fi rst cows were brought into the Although their Arab neighbours yet graphic diary. He was Shavei village. The cattle dealers set up an reacted in different ways towards the Tzion’s community chairperson and extremely successful dairy farm, with new immigrants, they always had to mayor for 27 years. the cow shed becoming the heart of be prepared for an armed attack. For More settlers gradually came until the settlement. Villagers could get the that eventuality, the English provided November 1938, when the synago- bus into Haifa and on the way back, at arms and auxiliary policemen. gues, businesses and homes in Germa- the Shavei Tzion stop, the bus driver

4 Vegetables were grown to feed the settlers, but also for them to sell, the The former southern German cattle dealers were devoted to their cows. upside being that it was one of the settlement’s fi rst incomes, the downside Here, proudly presenting their breeding success, for which they were that it required a lot of labour. (Courtesy Rexinger Synagogenverein) renowned throughout Israel. (Courtesy Rexinger Synagogenverein) used to shout, “Zion’s sheep (Schafe was attempted, as was fi shing. The farming, the founders set up a plastics Zions) – all change!”. And the Rexin- cooperative set up a hotel for the factory, where plastic foil and thermo- gers used to answer back with “And tourists who began to come to Israel formed packaging was produced and the cattle can stay on!” from Europe and Germany in greater used, for example, in the food industry. The older generation couldn’t numbers after the end of the Second All this came into being through the master the new language, or at a push World War. inventiveness, diligence and the will to just a smattering, and consequently On more than one occasion, the city survive of a few dozen families from the offi cial language of the village of Stuttgart sent delegations and Germany, who had been torn apart administration was German until the supported the Swabian village on the and forced to leave their homeland in 1950s. As of 1955, the minute books Mediterranean in many ways, inclu- order to save their lives. This remarka- were kept in both languages and after ding the construction of a retirement ble creativity is one of the most a transition period just in Hebrew. home. astounding aspects of Israel as a For many years, Shavei Tzion was country, even to today’s visitors. The The Post-War Period and Contact famous for the roses it grew and sent only thing that remains constant is with the Old Homeland to markets in Germany and Holland. change, and of course this applies Agricultural production grew and Another important area of activity was equally to Shavei Tzion. developed well. There is hardly a growing avocados, while dairy farming The idyllic garden village with its fi rst fruit of the fi eld or garden that was and cattle-breeding remained secure settlers’ houses still lies at the heart of not planted at some time, if only in sources of income for decades. So that the village today, however, the two order to give it a go. Sheep breeding they were not entirely dependent on large housing developments do now

The Beit Hava Hotel, which was run by the cooperative, opened a new dining room in 1964, serving kosher food. This advertisement is from the Jedioth Chadashoth newspaper in Israel, on 30th April 1964. (Courtesy Rexinger Synagogenverein)

5 In the summer of 2015, young people from Horb and Shavei Tzion came together in the garden of Alisa Klapfer, right. Alisa Klapfer was born in Rexingen in 1933. Her father Alfred Pressburger was one of the three scouts who chose the location of Shavei Tzion in 1937. He died 1938 in Shavei Tzion. Alisa has two children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. (Courtesy Rexinger Synagogenverein) dominate. These have been built on cantly. The schools are now based in with walkers, joggers and cyclists the land that used to be farmed. neighbouring communities but there morning, noon and night. The neigh- Gradually, farming ceased to be are three kindergartens and many bouring Arab village of Masra’a, on profi table and ultimately there was not of the children there are great, great the other side of the main road enough acreage. Also, the number of grandchildren of the fi rst immigrants. between Haifa and Naharija, is where cows (in what had become high-tech The small beach with its family atmos- people go for a trip to the post offi ce cowsheds) was too low. The severe phere is popular with young and old or the huge Feisal vegetable super- environmental regulations made it and the surf club is housed in a chic market, that draws customers from impossible to remain in competition beach-house. miles around with its spectacular and with larger agricultural settlements. There are small shops, a bar that is excellent-value produce. When Even the retirement home with its nine very popular at weekends and a cosy construction of the high-speed railway apartments had to be closed for café with a huge choice of small, local is complete, it will take just one hour fi nancial reasons. Nevertheless, the dishes. Everything is run by young from Naharija to Tel Aviv in an air- hotel, now leased, has recently been people and has a very international conditioned train. refurbished and rebuilt to meet feeling. Hardly any of Shavei Tzion’s 1,200 modern requirements, and a small The Rexingen Room with its memo- inhabitants now work there. They group of holiday homes is usually fully rial wall is still there, and a small commute by train or car to their booked. The plastics factory is still in museum about the founding years is workplaces in the surrounding area or production and, many years on, has housed in an old hut that also dates further afi eld. Today, the main respon- begun to generate profi ts again. back to those times. Naharija has sibility of the cooperative is a social grown into a vibrant, multi-cultural one, looking after the needs of Into the Future town with a population of 55,000 and children, young people and the elderly. In the last ten years, more than a has practically merged with Shavei Integration of the many young hundred young families have built Tzion, separated only by a narrow families into village life is a new houses on the areas that have been watercourse and a small wood. A challenge for everyone. Those original freed up, indeed many of them magnifi cent promenade stretches right Swabian roots have grown to form a even have roots in Shavei Tzion. The along the beach to the town centre tightly-knit network with roots from number of children has risen signifi - three kilometres away and is packed all corners of the globe.

6 Letting History Speak: Storytelling from the Shavei Tzion Archives

Judy Temime, Shavei Tzion, Israel

When I was drafted to work in the Shavei Tzion archives at the begin- ning of 2013, after the deteriorating health of our very veteran archivist, Uri Gefen, forced him and his wife to relocate near their children, I asked for an explanation of my mandate. After all, though I’d studied histo- ry in college (true, almost 50 years earlier), I’d had no experience with archival work and Uri and I had had no opportunity to transition. With no clear framework to guide me, I spent several weeks opening and looking briefl y through every box and folder on the shelves, and I realized, then, that even if the archivist pursues his work in social isolation, the archives holdings are communal property. The materials we have are themselves engaging and moving, and exploring The Shavei Tzion Archives are located in only two rooms. However, it houses important documents our community’s unique historical on the history of the settlement, its families and the community‘s relations all over the world, espe- narrative seems to appeal even to the cially with Germany. (Courtesy Shavei Tzion Archives) newest of Shavei Tzion’s inhabitants. What I’ve been working at since those parents of members, and guests who to tasks we older folks might fi nd fi rst weeks is sharing the contents of could not follow the Hebrew action challenging. the archives with as wide a public as on stage. High-school students, too, some- possible. Occasionally, as well, pupils visit the times visit the archives, and under the archives to gather information for aegis of the country-wide “Shelach” Working with Universities and school projects. Our fourth-graders enrichment program, classes from the Schools typically visit all of their classmates’ neighboring town of Nahariya have Over these last seven years, I’ve home villages during the weeks they spoken with me or with Hava Berko- fi elded a number of queries from study “My Moshav”, and a talk at the witz, the venerable “fi rst child” born university students (in history, archi- archives is a natural part of that here who brings that vantage point to tecture and fi lm) and from scholars. learning experience. One of Shavei her conversations with the young- In one rewarding instance, I was able Tzion’s fourth-graders, Natan Cohen, sters. The “Shelach” program—the to supply a few bits of information signed on as a volunteer and during Hebrew acronym stands for “fi eld, to Dr. Suzy Gruss, a lecturer on the the year or so we worked together, nation, society”—gets students out of literature of the Jewish people at Bar we completed several projects, the classroom to learn about Israel by Ilan University who was preparing to including polishing a Hebrew key to walking it. With a population of present a paper at an international fi rst and early settlers’ names that I’d 60,000 today, Nahariya is far removed symposium. What was the Shavei compiled from the original 1939 from the tiny, fragile colony of the Tzion connection? The subject of her register. Natan actually caught more late 1930s and most of its current lecture was the editor of a Ladino than one error in my work. Today, high school students have no family newspaper in Israel who was, as well, Natan busies himself with other connection to the German-Jewish a playwright. In 1953, one of his activities (mainly water sports), but story. For them, a visit to Shavei Tzion plays, translated into Hebrew, was the 13-year old Hila Shahar has been may be quite as eye-opening as a visit centerpiece of the elaborate program volunteering at the archives for almost to a Bedouin village. marking the 15th anniversary of the two years now. She has a real interest founding of Shavei Tzion. I provided a in our history, a genuine respect for Tours of Shavei Tzion scan of the mimeographed German- our veteran residents, an aesthetic Besides the students who do a Shavei language playbill from that evening, point of view, and the skill set that Tzion walk-about, many adults visit produced for those moshav members, young people bring with such facility the moshav, as participants in char-

7 Often my historical tour starts at the only remaining barrack from the year 1938. (Courtesy Rexin- Amos Fröhlich, here with Sabine Kurtz, ger Synagogenverein) vice-president of the state parliament of Baden- Württemberg, and Mayor Dr. Schairer from Stuttgart, can tell the story of the settlement from its beginnings as a contemporary witness. (Courtesy Rexinger Synagogenverein)

Tours are usually planned and confi rmed well in advance but, once in a while, a person or a small group of people will simply appear at the archives, trying their luck and hoping to talk a little with whomever they fi nd there. On those occasions, if I can, I‘ll drop whatever I’m doing and devote 90 minutes or more to doing a proper – if impromptu – tour. In that way, I once spent part of a late after- noon with a Jewish businessman from Chile whose parents had immigrated there from Germany: Shavei Tzion was a name quite familiar to him. One spring day several years ago, I recei- The Rexinger Room preserves the names of the Jews murdered in the Shoah and a damaged, rescued ved a call asking me to host a group Torah scroll from Rexingen. (Courtesy Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-Württemberg) of North Koreans who were camping out around the country and had just tered tours from within Israel or from families who sent their children here fi nished having coffee (or perhaps tea) abroad, or in informal Israeli or fo- for “recreation and recuperation” in a at our “Breakfast Club” restaurant reign groupings of friends or families setting that allowed them to enjoy the here. I regret very much that they had who have an interest in the history seaside and also, while food rationing to be off setting up camp elsewhere of the country and, especially, in the was still in effect, afforded them an before I could get home from Tel Aviv dramatic pre-state years of Jewish ample and nutritious farm-style diet. that day: what an interesting meeting Palestine. Other visitors may return Other visitors may be motivated by that would have been! to Shavei Tzion on a kind of “roots” curiosity to follow a trail that begins, Amos Fröhlich, who came here in tour, wishing to see again, or to show literally, in Rexingen or begins with 1938 as a boy of eight, often receives their children, the moshav they knew the clues in family reminiscences. Du- German-speaking visitors and he when they attended our celebrated ring 2019, more than 30 groups, in- brings to those encounters not only summer camp in the 1940s and 50s. cluding several from German schools, the fascinating recollections of a In those years, the camp served urban enjoyed tours of the moshav. childhood and youth spent here, but

8 In one room of the last barrack the carpenter‘s workshop of Jula Rotbein is Another room shows the Schumacher workshop of Asher Steinmann. reconstructed. (Courtesy Shavei Tzion Archives) (Courtesy Shavei Tzion Archives) also a talent for explaining an Israeli world view in words that are both passionate and rational. I myself have long since become a seasoned hand at guiding visitors around the moshav in both Hebrew and English, but I’m still sometimes surprised at how a tourist’s question can force me to reconsider an event I’d thought I knew well.

Chronicling Shavei Tzion’s History For the fi rst four years, much of my time at the archives had been given to researching and writing articles on subjects drawn from the foundational years of the moshav. I wrote in He- brew and then translated those articles into English for an enthusiastic reader- ship of more than 130 persons who received them posted by email as PDF In spring 2019 I was able to show the last barrack to Muhterem Aras, president of the state parlia- ment of Baden-Württemberg. She had come to Israel with a large delegation of members of the state fi les. I‘ve also placed print copies in our parliament. (Courtesy Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-Württemberg) local library. I‘ve written about religious tradition, the communal kitchen, 2008 for Shavei Tzion’s 70th anni- At the beginning of 2018, for childhood, transportation and trans- versary; and photos and other graphics Shavei Tzion‘s 80th anniversary, I port, gardens, Hebrew and German, which amplify the text. I‘ve tried, as created two Facebook pages for the family life and much more. Each article well, to provide some context for those archives, one in Hebrew and one in has drawn upon written memoirs of focused articles by touching on English.* I post new material on these moshav members and others; inter- contemporaneous events in Palestine- parallel pages every week, usually views which I conducted with elderly the Land of Israel-the State of Israel. texts and photos, but sometimes also members; old community newsletters; The feedback I got was encouraging video clips taken from fi lm dating to web publications; historical periodicals; and it was always terribly gratifying to the 1940s. Facebook, I thought, varied print material including the be told by one of our seniors, “I read would be a perfect tool for reaching Heinz Högerle-Carsten Kohlmann- such-and-such a thing in your last even more of a readership than the Barbara Staudacher Ort der Zufl ucht article and, you know, I’d forgotten much longer articles had. und Verheißung catalogue issued in that!” Or, even, “I never knew that!” * https.//www.facebook.com/shaveitzionarchives/

9 I‘ve also completed a map of our cemetery based on an aerial photo captured by a drone: every row and grave has received a number which will appear on the paper plan and I‘ve recorded the contents of every gravestone inscription.

Renovating the Archives and Upda- Next to the last ting the Exhibition barrack, a plough We expect in the near future to that was formerly renovate the building in which the used in the agriculture archives is housed, the fi rst public of Shavei Tzion is building in Shavei Tzion, erected in exhibited. (Cour- 1940. The watch tower that overlooks tesy Shavei Tzion the building is currently undergoing a Archives) thorough renovation that will preserve its historic character. In the meantime, Despite having lived in Shavei Tzion to middle-aged and older members of Yehuda Shilo initiated changes to the for 44 years, I probably learn some- the moshav to open for themselves small exhibit space in our “First Sett- thing new every time I review a what we call a “personal fi le”. The fi le lers’ Barrack”, an authentic wooden document or listen to a story. I’ve should contain, at a minimum, a hut from the 1938 Tower and Stocka- been surprised by the generosity of completed questionnaire which de camp that was moved to its pre- my informants and also by the willing- sketches the member’s biography; sent location and rehabilitated more ness of persons I’ve contacted “cold” optimally, it will contain documents, than 20 years ago. Yehuda, Rami to help me pursue a line of inquiry. In or copies of documents, and other Glaser and I have replaced a collection one such instance, in response to evidence of the person’s life trajectory of smaller photographs with several several questions I had, Rabbi Dr. and accomplishments. The response carefully-chosen enlargements; we’ve Walter Rothschild of Berlin, an was frankly disappointing: I was able cut down the legs of the table on authority on the railways of Palestine to add only some ten new fi les. On which is mounted the scale model before the founding of the State of the other hand, I’ve created digital of the original camp made by Hillel Israel, sent me a 40-page extract from and print fi les of eulogies of members Baum, in order to make the model his doctoral dissertation on the subject and other Shavei Tzion persons, and more easily viewed by all visitors, in- and also gave me an introduction to those fi les fi ll in at least some of the cluding young children; and we’ve set Chen Melling, the archivist of Israel gaps where a personal fi le is missing. up a vignette of the workshop used Railways. Chen then enabled me to spend an entire morning in research at the Railways’ archives in Haifa. And as a collateral product of my work since 2013, I’ve been able to exercise and expand the bit of German I studied in 1968. Although much has already been written on many aspects of life in Shavei Tzion, I believe that gathering material from a really broad variety of sources and knitting it together as I am trying to do, helps to illuminate the human experience at the level of the family and the individual. I’m interested in reporting the calculations and compromises that allowed the early settlers to live together and thrive. I’m much less interested in the profi ts made by the dairy shed in any given year except as they bear on the human story. Not long after I took up my position The watchtower form the founding period of Shavei Tzion and the adjacent building that houses the at the archives, I renewed the appeal archive. The picture was taken in November 2019. (Courtesy Shavei Tzion Archives)

10 Pictures from 2020. The watchtower is undergoing major renovation. The archiv building will be renovated in 2020. (Courtesy Shavei Tzion Archives) by our bicycling shoemaker, Nahariya placed an impressive old plow and remains a dauntingly major task for resident Asher Steinmann, and also a planted a dozen young trees. The little Shavei Tzion. In any case, neither the vignette of the carpentry shop where path leading to the barrack has been course nor the experience I’ve happily Jula Rotbein worked for many years. repaired and resurfaced. acquired since 2013 allow me to call All of the vintage tools displayed in From fall 2015 to early spring 2016, myself an archivist: that is a credential the barrack have been lent by Rami I attended an introductory course for reserved for professionals. But I’m from his extensive collections. The kibbutz and and moshav members quite willing to be thought of as the space allows visitors to look into all working in their village archives. An present guardian of the Shavei Tzion of the articles I’ve written as well as important feature of the course was archives, as a spokesperson for our the early journal kept by Dr. Manfred convincing us students of the need to very particular history and as (per- Scheuer. In the garden between the responsibly digitize our archives’ haps most of all) a good storyteller. barrack and the synagogue, we’ve holdings but, for the time being, that

Judy Temime abot herself: I was born in Chicago in 1950 and grew up there, attending public schools and receiving my Jewish education at the reform temple to which my family belonged. I earned a B.A. in history and in English at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and an M.A. in education at Northwestern University. During all of 1974, I lived on a kibbutz, learning basic Hebrew in the „ulpan“ there and working as volunteer in the citrus orchards. I‘ve lived in Shavei Tzion since late 1975, and have been a member of the agricultural co-operative (the moshav) since spring 1977. Before I began (Courtesy Benedict von Bremen) working in the moshav‘s historical archives in 2013, I‘d worked in our summers, managed the commu- 40 years, I tutored schoolchildren in roses hothouses, in child care, and in nal laundry for fi ve years and then English, and taught English in adult gardening. I also lifeguarded at the managed our small old age home for education classes. moshav‘s swimming pool for several 21 years. In addition, for more than

11 A Sixty-Year Friendship of Muslim and Jew, Born on the Soccer Pitch Muhammed Einan and Motke Berkowitz have led parallel Galilee lives as they maintain ‘a pure friendship’

Diana Bletter, Israel (Originally published in The Times of Israel, November 10, 2018)

Mohammed Einan (left) and Motke Berkowitz, one Arab, the other a Jew, are lifelong friends who found each other through soccer. (Courtesy Diana Bletter)

It’s Monday morning and two 83- on his back. Einan says he isn’t in made the soccer team, playing year-olds are meeting for their weekly quite as good shape as he used to be, forward and then center, was because coffee. Motke Berkowitz, or Berko, either. he happened to bike over to the and Mohammed Einan have been Instead of running marathons – he soccer fi eld to watch his older brother, friends for more than sixty years. won second place in the Sea of Galilee Katriel, who was already a player. That’s a feat in itself, but it’s not just Tiberias Marathon in the Sixty-Plus From the sidelines, Berkowitz sprinted that. category in 1995 – he has cut down The pair met playing on a soccer on long distances, he said, “running team in 1954 or 1955 (they’re not only ten kilometers twice a week.” quite sure); one man is Muslim, the Both men distinctly remember the other a Jew, and they live in neigh- goal that gave Hapoel Nahariya its boring villages in the Western Galilee. national championship in 1957. Each week, Berko drives across the “Berko passed the ball to the highway from Shavei Zion to the shortest player on the team,” Einan coastal village of Mazra’a. While his said. “He headed the ball to score the wife, Chava, shops for groceries in winning goal.” Faisal’s Supermarket, Berkowitz sits When Einan fi rst joined the soccer with Mahmood – as he calls Einan – team, he was the fi rst and only Arab. sipping coffee in the second-fl oor At the time, he said, “Arabs didn’t food court. Outside the picture play sports.” windows, in the distance, stretches He was studying in a program the Mediterranean Sea. sponsored by Mapam, Israel’s United Berkowitz and Einan played on Workers Party, in which he lived on a Hapoel Nahariya’s soccer team in the nearby kibbutz and learned Hebrew, 1950s and 1960s, when, for seven farming and sports. He liked soccer years, Berkowitz was the captain of and during a friendly match between the team. Mazra’a and Nahariya, the Nahariya Mohammed Einan (left) and Motke Berkowitz He now walks with diffi culty, using coach asked Einan to join the team. in their soccer gear in the 1950s. (Courtesy a metal walker, after two operations The only reason that Berkowitz even Motke Berkowitz)

12 to retrieve the ball whenever it went out, kicking it back into the fi eld, and the coach signed him up. Berkowitz was born in 1935 in Transylvania, Romania, and as a little boy, fl ed the Nazis with his father and older brother. After the war, Berko- witz, then 13, left Europe in a clande- stine boat mission with 15-year-old Katriel and other youngsters, headed for then-Palestine. The British captured the boat and sent the youths to Cyprus, but they eventually reached their fi nal de- stination. The two brothers attended a boarding school in central Israel, and then made their way north to Moshav Shavei Zion, then an agricultural cooperative. In the beginning, Berkowitz said, he worked as a p’kak, a plug. “I fi lled in holes in manpower in every job on the moshav,” he said. “I used to get up at three in the Mohammed Einan’s wife, Heediyah. (Cour- Chava Berkowitz, Motke’s wife. (Courtesy morning to milk cows and then bike tesy Mohammed Einan) Motke Berkowitz) to soccer practice.” After his army service, he spent stamp on a peace deal a long time These days, the only hike Berkowitz most of his years working in Shavei ago.”“Sports brings people together,” can do is on Saturday morning when Zion’s farming branch, what he called Berkowitz agreed. “I felt a connection he and Chava make their way slowly the falcha, the Arab word for fi elds. to Mahmood as soon as he joined the down the street to the local synago- Einan, who was born in the same team and I have felt it ever since.” gue. Across the road, in addition to year, grew up in the Galilee village of At the coffee shop, the men talk praying fi ve times a day, Einan goes to Sheikh Danun, about ten kilometers occasionally about politics, but mostly the mosque on Friday mornings. He from Mazra’a. His parents were about sports. Some of their teammates says he follows the same routine as farmers and although they could not have died; others have moved away. before he runs: he warms up before read, he says, their seasonal fruit and Every now and then, Berkowitz will he begins, saying prayers before vegetables “tasted a lot better than try to organize a get-together for the prayers. Doctors want to prescribe the sprayed produce today.” In fact, team. But Berkowitz and Einan are the him medications, but he takes he still farms his father’s land in only ones who attend their weekly nothing. Sports, he believes, is his Sheikh Danun, growing olive trees, meetings where they reminisce about medicine. lemons and pomegranates. their past, and discuss the everyday At their food court table, neighbors Until the 1948 Israeli War of happenings in their somewhat parallel and friends sometimes join them. The Independence, Einan attended a lives. owner of the supermarket, Faisal religious Muslim school. After the war, Einan and his wife, Heediyah, have Aslan, often stops by to shake their he went to live with his mother in the eight children, fi fteen grandchildren hands and say hello. After a while, her village of Mazra’a while his father and ten great-grandchildren. Berko- shopping done, Chava came upstairs stayed in Sheihk Danun with his witz and Chava have three children, to get Motke. He and his old friend second wife. Then Mapam selected seven grandchildren, and think they said goodbye to one another until the Einan and other Arab youths to will soon be expecting their fi rst following week. participate in a seminar program that great-grandchild. “Ours has always been a pure would groom them to become leaders When Berkowitz’s children were friendship,” Berkowitz said. in their respective villages. The hope small, he and Chava used to take was, he said, to work for peace. them on hikes in the fi elds near “We believed that if we played soccer “But the years passed and nobody Mazra’a, and then stop to visit Einan’s together we could live in peace,” has brought us any closer to hope or house on the way back. Historically, Einan said. “I still believe that if Arabs light,” he said. To support his family, the two communities have always had and Jews work together, this coun- Einan drove a taxi and continued to good relations. But the fi elds have try could be the pearl of the Middle stay in shape. “If government leaders given way to houses, and their East.” played sports, they could have put a children have all grown.

13 Hirschfelder Family History

Kent Hirschfelder, St. Louis, MO, USA

To follow the history of the Hirsch- thought that they settled in the village son Max (1836–1909) to the Real- felder family one must begin in some years after the Dukes of Rexin- Schule in Hechingen for a good southern Germany in the mid-1700’s gen, crusaders who were thought to education in commerce. He returned (as far back as we have been able to have been in the village as early as to Rexingen and married Rike Wälder trace). In 1924 the Rexingen Rabbi 1278. An interesting note is that one (1845–1914). They had ten children, Spatz wrote in a newspaper arti- of the most prominent homes in four of whom died before their fi rst cle that the Hirschfelder family had Rexingen, which I know as the birthdays. The remaining six: moved from Mühringen to Rexingen “Hirschfelder House”, was acquired Simon: born in 1868, he became a in the 18th century, which would be about 1806 by Wolf Abraham Fröh- merchant and spent his adult years in consistent with the records in the lich from the Johanniter Order Munich in the leather business. Victor, 2003 publication In Stein gehauen: (possibly against the wishes of the one of Salomon Hirschfelder’s sons, Lebensspuren auf dem jüdischen community), and was then sold to later became a co-owner of his leather Friedhof in Rexingen, the chronicle of Veit Hirschfelder, my great-great- business in Munich. the community’s Jewish cemetery. grandfather, in 1862. Wolf Fröhlich’s Rosa: the only daughter that lived It indicates that Moses Hirschfelder, son-in-law was Jacob Hirschfelder. It into adulthood, born in 1871, married who was born in 1760 and died in has been determined that some of the leather merchant Isidor Dreyfuss. 1838, is buried there, as is Henriette walls were constructed in the 1300’s They lived in Offenburg and Freiburg. Hirschfelder (1774–1852). At that and the earliest Jews to arrive in Rosa died at a fairly young age but time the village was under the control Rexingen were permitted to live there. had a daughter, Martha, who in 1928 of the Johanniter, the Knights of St. Veit Hirschfelder (1801–1882) was married Isidor Hess and lived with him John, a Catholic military order. It is a successful cattle dealer who sent his fi rst in Saarbrücken and later in Metz,

Family home of the Hirschfelder Family. Purchased by Veit Hirschfelder in 1862. A number of Hirschfelder family members were born in this hous. Between the tower and the house was a garden where the family grew vegetables and an area where chickens were raised. Afte the World War II the fi rst fl oor begame a tavern/café. (Courtesy Kent Hirschfelder)

14 Hirschfelder Family in Rexingen circa 1920. Back row: Rosa H. (wife of Salomon; mother of Victor, Richard and Gretl); Moritz; Simon; Victor (son of Salo); Salo; Emil Dreyfuss; Isidor Dreyfuss; Richard (son of Salo); Rose Dreyfuss. Front Row: Max Dreyfuss (son of Isidor); Martha Dreyfuss; Isidor Hirschfelder (known to family as “Uncle Dr.”); Gretl (daughter of Salo). (Courtesy Kent Hirschfelder)

France. Their daughter, Ruth, married slight mental defi ciencies and worked who was probably not Jewish. She Harry (Buje) Lehman of Strasbourg as a helper of local cattle dealers. He had worked for the family for years, and lived with him in London. Both of lived in a house by himself, supported including Simon in Munich, and was them died in 1984. by his brother Isidor and other family given Moritz’s house in the 1930’s. He Salomon: He took over his father members, and was cared for by died in 1942 and it has been a source Veit’s business in Rexingen and, Katharina Schmelzle (1887–1977) of discussion whether he died from besides trading in cattle, expanded natural causes or was a victim of the business in grain trading. He was euthanasia by the Nazis, even though born in 1872 and lived in the Hirsch- this practice had been “formally” felder house until 1926 when he and ended several years earlier. Katherine his wife Rosa (Löwengart) moved to was later involved in transforming the Stuttgart where he died in 1937. Their Rexingen Synagogue into a Protestant children were Victor (1901–1960), church and getting it furnished. Richard (1904–1990) and Gretl Heinrich: Born in 1876, he moved (1913–1985), all of whom emigrated to Munich in 1908 and became a to the United States and eventually successful textile merchant. He settled in Chicago where they started bought a store in downtown Munich, a very successful leather goods near City Hall, where he sold cloth manufacturing and import business and tailoring supplies and employed (RICO Industries) which has expanded three salesmen who travelled through and still is owned and operated by a Southern Germany selling to custom grandson today. tailors. He married Johanna Levy Moritz: Born in 1874, he is the only Katharina Schmelzle, who took care for Moritz (c.1882–1944) of Stuttgart in 1909 one of the siblings mentioned as a Hirschfelder. (Courtesy Rexinger Synagogen- and they had one son, Max, my Rexingen resident in 1933. He had verein) father (1910–2003). While Johanna

15 was able to escape to the United between the Jews and gentiles of the where he practiced ophthalmology for States in 1941 and live with her son in village. For example, on Crystal Night fi fty-one years, until his retirement in Centralia, IL, her two sisters and their none of the village youth would 1991. husbands perished in Theresienstadt. participate in the burning of the Ironically the site of my father’s home synagogue and looting of Jewish- A street sign for a beautiful residential in Munich, at No. 74 Goethestraße, owned stores. “Thugs” had to be street in the City of Krefeld, is named near the park where Oktoberfest is brought in from outside to undertake in memory of my great-uncle Isidor, a held, is now a McDonald’s restaurant! this horrifi c task. In addition, the two much revered and respected pediatri- Isidor: Born in March 1878 in the torah scrolls from the synagogue were cian in the community who served his Hirschfelder house. Because of his rescued from the fl ames by Christians. patients with professionalism, care, and extraordinary accomplishments and One was hidden and sent to Israel a commitment. That there are also a city the honors bestowed upon him year later, the other was given to a plaza and “Schullandheim” in nearby posthumously, I will have additional Jewish family shortly thereafter and Herongen named for him and a me- comments about his life and legacy. they smuggled it out when they morial plaque on the wall of Krefeld’s emigrated to America … it is still in pediatric hospital attests to the reve- Heinrich had only one son – my father use in a Connecticut synagogue rence with which the community held – and Isidor, Simon and Moritz never today. him. His is a remarkable story. married, so the number of cousins Born in Rexingen in 1908, he and uncles is quite small and limits Though my father spent a lot of completed Gymnasium in Tübingen what could have been a much greater holidays and summers in Rexingen and, with the goal of becoming a family loss during the Holocaust. with Hirschfelder family members, he doctor, studied in Freiburg, Munich The Hirschfelder family, like many was born and raised in Munich. After and Berlin, receiving his medical other Jewish families whose ancestry Gymnasium he spent 3 ½ years in license in 1903, completed a pediatric stretched back for generations, always Munich in medical studies, then a year residency in Berlin and moved to considered themselves full citizens of in Bonn, from where he would make Krefeld where he started the fi rst Germany: German by heritage and visits to Krefeld, sixty miles away, to pediatric practice there in 1906. He Jewish by religion. Until the rise of visit his Uncle Isidor. He spent the was the fi rst member of his family to Nazism in the early 1930’s they were summer of 1932 in Vienna, where receive a university education. In not staunch Zionists and no one spoke he took additional medical courses, addition to his medical practice of a Jewish “race”. It is unknown if and at the end of 1934 he passed the (conducted from his home), he raised the earliest family members came German medical state board exam. funds and opened a maternity out- from Spain or France but the Germans Because the Nazis had already begun reach clinic and an independent neither spoke nor understood Yiddish. to impose controls on Jews dad could children’s hospital. A considerable percentage of not obtain an internship at a German Conscripted into the German army Rexingen’s population were Jewish hospital … without this he would not on the fi rst day of World War I he was (25–40%), many of whom were in be granted a license to practice me- awarded the Iron Cross, First Class, the grain or cattle trade. They had dicine. Switzerland recognized credits for saving the life of his company their own synagogue and their own from German universities and many leader in a battle. Meanwhile his rabbi, who served as the grammar Jewish medical students went there. Children’s Home on Peterstraße had school teacher for the Jewish commu- However, while Switzerland required grown to 75 beds and after returning nity. While orthodox in many of their an additional year of medical studies, safely from the war he made certain customs, they did not wear traditional after which one received their M.D. that the children of Krefeld who “side curls” or yarmulkes on their diploma, it did NOT grant the right to needed food received it. In 1918 he heads. As is required in orthodox be in private practice in Switzerland. founded a children’s hospital that Judaism the men sat downstairs and Dad had chosen to spend his year as included a training program for the women in a balcony upstairs. The an assistant in the University Hospital obstetrics nurses, attracting 40 relationship between the Jews and the in Bern after which he had no choice students in its fi rst year. He was very Catholic and Protestant members of but to leave Europe. popular with his young patients and the community was always cordial, On June 9th, 1936 he arrived in their mothers and sometimes took even though the social life was usually Chicago with letters of introduction children home with him to care for not assimilated. Mimi Schwartz (born from some of his professors in Mu- them there. And he treated many of 1940), the daughter of Arthur Loe- nich, and obtained a residency at the his patients free of charge. wengart (1899–1973, whose family University of Illinois Eye and Ear But despite Isidor’s decorated was prominent in the village for Infi rmary. Being a newly-arrived service to his country and dedication generations and grew up there), German immigrant in America, dad to the health of the children of his wrote a book in 2008 Good Neigh- thought it would be easier to become community, he could not escape the bors, Bad Times: Echoes of My assimilated if he wasn’t in a big city, scourge of the Nazi regime. In 1933, Father‘s German Village which and although he could have stayed in his medical license was revoked. In chronicled the remarkable relationship Chicago he moved to southern Illinois, December he had to give up his

16 Dr. Isidor Hirschfelder. (Courtesy Kent Hirsch- The street sign in Krefeld in memory of my great-uncle Isidor. (Courtesy Kent Hirschfelder) felder) management role at the children’s I fi rst visited Rexingen with my right-wing presence. The stories are hospital. Although he had letters of father in 1963, just after graduating still being written as to how this will sponsorship from relatives that would high school. This was a time when all turn out. have allowed him to easily emigrate very little was spoken of the Holo- In the United States, Holocaust to the United States, he refused to caust, and even less talked about or education is mandated in many states, leave because he wanted to remain in taught in the schools. Elie Wiesel had and there are Holocaust museums and Germany for the sake of his patients written his powerful book Night, and memorials in many cities. The mission and worried that medical care for Adolf Eichmann had been captured of teaching the lessons of the Holo- Krefeld’s remaining Jewish population just a few years before. Memories caust: “Never Again” and “Don’t Be would suffer. among the survivors, and victims an Innocent Bystander” continue to At the end of 1938 he was forced to families all over the world, were still be taught, but there is a great empha- leave his apartment and surrender his raw, and the topic of the Holocaust sis, using new technologies, to vehicle and had to move to a small was rarely spoken about. As Adolf recognize recent genocides, incidents two-room apartment with his servant, Sayer told me when I spoke with him of homophobia, racial tensions, and Simon Friedemann, known as Fridolin. in Rexingen in 2009, children were intolerance. On November 9th, 1938 (Crystal forbidden to bring up the topic with Night) he confronted the Gestapo their fathers and grandfathers. But as On October 12, 1991, in the speech I wearing his full uniform and Iron time went on younger generations gave in the lobby of the pediatric hos- Cross, forcing them to retreat. That insisted on speaking about this … pital in Krefeld, on the occasion of the tactic worked only one time. From learning about how one of the most unveiling of the plaque remembering August 1941 on, he lived in a so- educationally, economically and Isidor Hirschfelder, I concluded with called “Judenhaus” and when the culturally successful countries in the the following remarks: Gestapo arrested his servant he lost all world could have allowed this to I have two children. I have tried to hope. After the Gestapo made a happen. Consistently the older instill in them a sense of what the second threatening visit he ended his German generation did not acknow- Holocaust was and what it meant, so life on October 29, 1941 using the ledge knowing anything about the that they might be vigilant to any revolver with which he had defended Holocaust while it was occurring. signs that this might happen again. I his country. He was 63 years old. Fortunately, the younger German would ask that you tell your children On his grave marker are the words generation is taught the Holocaust, and that they tell their children, and “Friend and helper of the Children.” primarily as “history”. Students I that the bonds between Jews and Every year, on the anniversary of his spoke with recognized the importance Christians remain strong. That is the death, citizens of Krefeld walk to the of dealing with their past as well as legacy that Isidor Hirschfelder would cemetery to lay fl owers on his grave. their responsibility to prevent future have hoped for. Seventy-fi ve years after his death they genocides and promote racial tole- still remember and honor this humble rance. Certainly, the events of recent doctor, his many good deeds, and his years in Germany have tested these martyrdom. attitudes, and have led to a growing

17 1945 – Harry Kahn Returns to Baisingen

Dr. Fredy Kahn, Tübingen. Translated by Benedict von Bremen

The story of the return of his father Harry Kahn to Baisingen was told by Dr. Fredy Kahn to Barbara Staudacher and Heinz Högerle on August 21, 2015. In the following article, the oral form was retained. All photographic rights: Dr. Fredy Kahn, Tübingen.

A New Start in Baisingen Every now and then, my father told the same stories about his return to Baisingen. I think he had typhoid Brothers Siegfried (left) and when he came back. He probably had Harry Kahn meet again in to stay in Theresienstadt for a few Baisingen after the end of World more weeks to recover, but I can‘t say War II. In January 1939, Siegfried was sent to England for sure. There, they nursed him up a by his parents. He returned bit, I think. Then he came to Baisin- to Germany as a British gen. Of course it was easier for him soldier. Harry had survived the to go back to his “Heimat,” his home. Jungfernhof and Kaiserwald The Polish Jews tried that too, but for concentration camps near Riga, them the same problem was there in Buchenwald, and Theresi- a different way. They were expelled enstadt. again. There was no overt anti-Semi- tism in Baisingen. But what was going mayor‘s tree garden, who had been didn‘t think twice. You said either you on in the back of their minds, I don’t mayor during the “Third Reich.” And fi x it by tomorrow or I punch you in know. then he told him, “The fence will be the head. Anyway, the fence was In any case, his neighbour Max put back up.” One can imagine what back up. That was his fi rst “restitu- Schiebel was a decent man. He was his attitude was like after three and a tion,” quote unquote. very happy that Harry was back and half years of concentration camp. You And then he very soon started to helped him right away by giving him a pot and a pan and something to wear, a suit, so that he simply had something. And then I only know that people left his house. He never told me exactly. Whether he threw them out or if they had to leave by order of the authorities, I don‘t know. But either way, he settled back down there. And in Baisingen, they knew, “Harry‘s back.” The people who had been decent to Jews before welcomed him back with open arms. Concerning the others, I don‘t know. With some people in Baisingen – and I also felt that – he did not speak a single word again. He did not trade cattle with them either; that was taboo. He always told the story about the cemetery fence: that when he retur- This honorary identity card from the “Zentralstelle der Betreuung der Opfer des Nationalsozialis- ned, the cemetery no longer had a mus Württemberg-Hohenzollern” (Central Offi ce for the Care of Victims of National Socialism) fence. The fence was around the made it easier for Harry Kahn to pursue his profession as a cattle dealer in the occupied zones.

18 In July 1945, Siegfried Kahn received the photo on the left, showing Harry Kahn with Baisingen-born Fritz Erlebacher, who was an American soldier. A note written in English on the margin of the photo reads: “Remember your brother? He looks swell. Baisingen, July 4th, 1945. Fritz.” Via the Red Cross, Siegfried sent a message to his brother: “My dearest brother. Thank God you are alive. Message from the USA. Am overjoyed. Trying to send you. Please answer immediately. I am healthy. You stay healthy. Your brother Siegi. 9.7.45.” work with the farmers again, with Haigerloch, had been killed in Riga, them too. He never told anything those whom he knew you could still where my father had been too. about that. In any case, they met have contact with under the Nazis for My mother told me how after the again in Stuttgart. Very few German a long time as a Jewish man, as a liberation yellow buses from Stuttgart Jews returned to Stuttgart. Many Jews Jewish cattle dealer. Back then, they came to Theresienstadt and brought came from Poland. They met and had said to him, “Then you‘ll come back the Jews from Württemberg. prayed in the Jewish congregration. around in the evening and through Whenever she saw a tram bus, she My father did not go to Stuttgart to the back door.” After the war, the would always say, “I was picked up pray. He didn‘t pray much anymore, cattle trade was for the most part by one of those.” but he knew all the prayers. In laying idle. There was a gap that the I don‘t know if my dad went with Baisingen, all of them had been very Jewish cattle dealers had left behind in many communities. The stable boys had taken over the companies. This was not seen as an “Aryanization” but as simply continuing. And my father came back and rebuilt his cattle trade.

Harry Kahn Marries Jeanette Karschinierow The concentration camp inmates in Theresienstadt, and also in other con- centration camps, heard each other’s language and dialect – “This one came from Hamburg, that one’s from Württemberg.” Of course they asked each other, as far as was possible, “Where are you from?” That‘s only natural. And that‘s where my father met his second wife, my mother. His fi rst wife, Irene Weinberger from Jeanette Karschinierow, standing on Harry Kahn‘s fi rst cattle truck, visits Baisingen.

19 once a month to the hairdresser and to do some window shopping. When I was younger, the two of us always went to Stuttgart together. It was a ritual because my father only ever ran after the cow‘s tail. Then, my mother always said, “Today we‘re going to Stuttgart together, 10:32 a.m. from Eutingen. 5:46 p.m. we arrive back in Eutingen.” We had always had a really nice time. That was her only time off. Of the deported Jews, aside from my parents, the married couple Adolf and Therese Haarburger as well as Karoline Marx returned to Baisingen. Karoline Marx lived with us in our Civil marriage of Jeanette and Harry Kahn in 1946 in Baisingen. On the right: best man Adolf house. For me, she was grandma. Haarburger, also a survivor of Theresienstadt and, together with his wife Therese, another returnee to Baisingen. Post-War Childhood in Baisingen devout people. My father‘s mother an offi ce here, right?” And she Remembering my childhood, how my was a very religious woman. She wore applied her secretarial skills there and parents raised me, my parents’ advice a “Scheitel” whig. If my father wasn‘t they got married in 1946. comes to my mind: “Try not to stand in the synagogue at the right time on Before her deportation to Theresi- out, because if you do something, it‘s Friday night, it was a disaster for her. enstadt, my mother had been a not you; it‘s the Jews, it‘s the Jewish He sometimes just made another busi- secretary for the Jewish congregation. boy.” ness and ran late. She had previously worked as a I‘ve stuck to that. And I realized that So, they met again in Stuttgart. And secretary for various companies. In I had to be careful and be good a boy then my father noticed that they the end she was only allowed to work because these people who are my didn‘t have much to eat in Stuttgart. for Jewish companies, for example the parents have already been through so He invited them, “As you all have a Krautkopf company. Then even that much – when visitors came, they pass, come to Baisingen!” And then became more and more diffi cult and talked about those terrible times – and they came, and it was probably very she became a secretary at the Jewish I understood that what had happened unkosher. He got some smoked meat congregation. must have been terrible. My father and something to eat. And then they My mother was born in 1908 and I told me that he had been very skinny, kept coming, and my mother was was born in 1947. So she was 39 that grandmother had died, and there, too. And when he knew that years old when I was born. It was not stories like these. So I thought I had his fi rst wife was no longer alive, he easy to have a child at that age. to be especially careful not to put my said to my mother, “You can also stay In my father‘s business, my mother parents through anything more than here.” And she said, “Harry, you have made one request: to go to Stuttgart they had already experienced. I

Harry Kahn donated memorials in both the Baisingen and Rexingen Jewish cemeteries commemorating the Shoah and those who had been murdered. Picture left: the 1948 dedication of the memorial in Baisingen’s Jewish cemetery. Dr. Guttmann, Landesrabbiner (chief rabbi) of Württemberg, stands in the middle; to his left: Harry Kahn, to his right: Adolf Haarbuger. Picture right: the memorial in Baisingen.

20 functioned, I was good, I didn‘t grumble, there was nothing until puberty and not even during puberty itself. When I went to school, the teacher, Miss Schweizer, said, “When we pray, we will send Fredy out.” My parents then asked, “Why do you want to send Fredy out? He gets up with the others and doesn‘t say anything or make a cross. He just stands there.” “Oh, well then,” Miss Schweizer said, “that‘s possible?” “Yes, that‘s possi- ble,” my parents said. And it always went like this. School was quite normal, the Catholic elementary school in Baisin- gen, it was all great. Two classrooms, four classes each. That was great, that was nice. We played soccer. Then came the fi rst big soccer games. My 1946: Karoline Marx (1868-1953) stands at her husband’s grave in Baisingen’s Jewish cemetery. Née Karoline Kurz, she married David Marx (1862–1931) from Baisingen. In 1942 she was father was not amused when Germa- deported to Theresienstadt. She returned with Harry Kahn and Jeanette Karschinierow and lived ny became world champion in 1954. I with the Kahn family. For Fredy Kahn, she was “Oma” (grandma). Karoline Marx is buried in screamed with enthusiasm. He said, the Baisingen cemetery. “Why are you shouting? If you knew what I‘ve been through, you wouldn‘t pictures and saw corpses, a whole There is one story I remember, I shout like that.” He sometimes said mountain of them, and I was shocked. must have been maybe fi ve years old. things like that. Much later, my father told me that There was a big cattle market in There was also the story of ringing one of the SS men in Theresienstadt Nagold. And at the big cattle markets the bells when the sacristan once always took pictures. I don‘t know in Herrenberg, Nagold, Weil der Stadt, kicked me out of the church, saying, what happened to him when the Köngen, my mother was always there “Get out of here because you killed concentration camp was liberated. too. There she sat in her car, a VW, the Savior.” We, the boys, always Anyway, my father found the pictures and this was her offi ce. jumped out of school at quarter to and took them with him. I don‘t know Whenever cattle was sold, my twelve to get to the church. Whoever where they are today. father wrote down the number of the was fastest could grab the bell rope. When I looked at them for the fi rst ear tag and wrote down the price and There were four ropes. I was always time, I put them back and did not ask said, “Go over to my wife.” And I the fastest, I was later the school‘s for them. For God‘s sake, no. carried the small note over to her, best hundred meter runner, and so I As time went by, I listened more together with the farmer. My mother always reached the rope. Suddenly and more. My father also told me a sat in the VW—window down—and someone grabbed me from behind little bit when I asked, “How and had a kind of offi ce in there and and threw me out. At that time I where?” He told us where the Jews wrote everything down. I didn‘t go to thought it was true, we must have had been sent to. That great-grandfa- school yet. My parents didn‘t want to done something wrong. ther had died there. And grandmo- send me to kindergarten. They didn‘t My father had an old wallet in his ther. Then, I knew something. And I want me to go to Catholic kindergar- bedside table. I noticed that it had always tried to not make more trouble ten. They didn‘t do that. pictures in it. Because whenever for my parents. After the cattle market, you always visitors came from America or Israel, went to an inn, to people you knew he‘d take it out of the drawer every The Cattle Trade who had been decent people before. time. And I saw them taking the There were always things that had to People who hadn‘t written, “Jews not pictures out. But he always sent me do with my father‘s work and where wanted.” But people who had said, away fi rst. “Go over there and play anti-Semitism fl ared up. There were “Come, your grandfather and your something.” “Yeah, okay.” But I also people who came to him and father already had their dishes with noticed something was being shown, said, “Harry, could you confi rm that me and brought their kosher sausa- and I saw that they were black-and- I was decent?” And if someone had ges.” And he went back to such hosts white pictures. And at some point I been was, it had been like that. And after the war, and in Nagold that was went there, I was about seven or if someone had not been, my father the “Schwanen” (swan). eight years old, and found this wallet threw him out. There were quite a There was a hall, and after the cattle in the bedside drawer. I looked at the few like that. market people sat there. The hall was

21 on holiday, fi rst by train, then by car and with his family. And my cousin Franklin was two years old and I was three when the family fi rst came, which was about 1950. The two brothers then traveled together. Every day, my father took his brother with him. He took him to the farmers and showed him this and that. And he introduced him to friends, for example Hilde Maier in Horb. Then a sister-in-law of my uncle Siegi was about to get married in London. And Siegi said we should come to London for the wedding. I was a small man of fi ve or six years. My father was quite generous then. Harry Kahn and his son Fredy at a regional cattle market, 1953. He had a tailor in Horb make a tiny suit for me. A white suit with a white separated by a sliding wall. And in this again. That was my father’s philoso- kippa. And then I went with my separated part my mother sat and phy. If someone bought a cow, he mother to London for this wedding. It counted money and wrote out always got a bottle of wine. was great; I‘ll never forget it. My receipts because afterwards we went And if he wanted to buy a cow cousin Franklin came back to Bai- to the “Volksbank”. And my father somewhere, he said, “I‘ll give you 980 singen every year, and still does so ate together with me. All of a sudden, Deutschmarks for this cow now.” “No until today. he jumps up and rips the door open. way, Harry, I want 1100 Deutsch- And I see him grabbing a man by the marks.” “No way, that‘s not possi- New Friendships collar and beating him up. ble.” That‘s how they bartered. In the My parents took such good care of Later on, I learned the reason why. end, my father said, “Okay, you get me. They never left me alone. I had a A cattle dealer had been sitting there 1020 Deutschmarks. But you‘ll only nanny from Haigerloch, Waltraud. She who said—he didn‘t know that Harry get a thousand. And your wife gets lived there in the “Haag”, which used was sitting behind the partition 20.” So, of course, he won the to be the Jewish quarter. She was with wall—“It‘s a pity they didn‘t gas him woman over. She thought to herself, us on weekdays and in Haigerloch on too; then we‘d have the best deals.” “My man keeps me short and Harry Sundays. My parents practically never Things like that happened from time gives me 20 Deutschmarks.” And went out in the evening either, except to time. that‘s how they knew him. to Horb for carnival. They dressed up But otherwise my father was very and took me along undisguised. We welcome among the farmers. First, Uncle Siegi’s Family always sat at a table with Hilde and they knew he knew what he was Siegfried Kahn, known as Siegi, my Walter Maier. Walter Maier worked at doing. And then there was an unwrit- father‘s brother, went to England at the agricultural offi ce. That‘s probably ten law between my father and the the age of 17 in early 1939. He was where the connection to my father farmers. You can buy cows from ten years younger than my father. His came from. Hilde Maier was at the Harry Kahn even if you don‘t have the parents had sent him there to protect telephone exchange and pushed the money yet. He gives you time. I make him. He was nationalized in Great connecting plugs in there. Back then, a down payment of 20 percent and Britain and then had to go to Ger- there were not many telephones. We don‘t have to pay the rest for eight many as a soldier. And so he found had the number 339, fi rst 39, then months. That‘s not the way others did his brother again after the end of the 339. You did not say “07 something” it. Even today, people come to my war and was incredibly happy that but “Ergenzingen 339.” practice and say, “My grandmother his brother was still alive. Then he got When my dad made a call, it was a had no milk and nothing to give. Your married. He was very pious. special thing. It went like this in the father gave her a cow so we children After the war the English, as win- Kahn offi ce: “Jeanette, what‘s the would have milk.” This was one way ners of the war, were worse off than number of Noll in Bieringen?” My how the Jewish cattle traders dealt the German population. I still remem- mother knew all the numbers by with the farmers. That was what ber when Uncle Siegi came to visit in heart. When he called the telephone made them special somehow. Because the early 1950s and told us they still exchange, my father didn‘t say, “This they knew exactly: we are Jews, and had food stamps. We were already is Mr. Kahn from Baisingen.” but they may like us, but if you do a little doing pretty well back then. Then simply, “Noll, Bierlingen, 458.” And bit more, it will be to our advantage Siegi came every year to his brother with Hilde Maier he didn‘t even have

22 to say the number, just: “Frau Maier, Noll, Bierlingen.” Hilde Maier then made the connection. My mother got upset about it and said, “How you treat the Fräuleins from the offi ce!” But my father thought that everything was fi ne. “At Christmas, I‘m going to give them a present.” And then, from the beginning of the 1950s onwards, my parents sent a parcel containing about 30 smoked sausages to the Horb telephone exchange every Christmas, gift-wrapped and accom- panied by a very long poem. And at some point Hilde Maier said, “You can leave Fredy with me if you‘re stressed.” And so my father took me by car to Hilde Maier and she went with me to the Neckar river for a swim. Hence, the friendship became closer and closer. The Maiers then also came to Baisingen. Or they picked them up on Sundays and went out to Stuttgart main train station, ca. 1949: Siegfried Kahn’s family arrives from England for a visit. eat with them. My parents didn‘t Harry has his little nephew Franklin in his arms. In front of him: Renée Kahn, the wife of Siegi have very many friends: a few in Kahn. Nagold and the Maiers in Horb. Hilde Maier was very fond of traveling and joined us on holiday. The story of Hilde‘s father, who as an old member of the Social Democrats had gotten into trouble under the Nazis, was of course also an important background. My parents knew that Hilde‘s father was with the Social Democratic Party, Hilde is with the SPD. But one did not politicize. Then there was Hermann Lember- ger from Rexingen, the father-in-law of Josef Eberle, the publisher of the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper. He was an old man and a cattle dealer. He came back from America after the war and lived here again. My father used to pick him up on Sundays. Because the only rest my father had was on Sunday, from one to six in the afternoon. That was his holiday. He In Baisingen, ca. 1952: little Franklin on his father Siegi‘s shoulders is afraid while Fredy rides the bull with confi dence. took me and my mother with him and went with us to Freudenstadt and we drank coffee and ate something. I sat psychiatric hospital in Rottenmünster. cantor sings. On Yom Kippur and in the back of the Mercedes and was He was buried in Rexingen. Rosh Hashanah, he always went to bored; I would have preferred to go the synagogue. On these days, he with my mates. But I was a good boy. Relations with the Jewish closed his business. We went there And often there would be this old Congregation and spent the day in the synagogue. man with us, Hermann Lemberger. Because of me, my father went to And at noon he said to me, “Let‘s go And this old man was only dealing the Jewish congregation in Stutt- to Breuninger, I‘ll buy you some trou- cattle during the whole car journey, gart for the service. To have the boy sers.” That was just normal for him. from beginning to end – verbally. see that there are holidays, how the And I said to my father, “Say, why Finally, they had to take him to the rabbi speaks, and when and how the don‘t you pray?” He says, “Because

23 to perhaps build up an existence there. And he invested money through my mother‘s friend. And then, in 1955/56, news arrived that all the money in America was gone. It was not possible to explain why. That was the end of this plan. There were almost no plans at all to emigrate to Israel. People came, for example Egon Schweizer, born in Baisingen, a strong young man. He helped him. He donated money. He got things that were needed and sent them to Israel, whatever was needed. But by then my father was already so rooted again in Baisingen that he didn‘t want to leave. Then people from Israel came and said to him, “Why are you living in Purim celebration at the Jewish congregation in Stuttgart in 1953. Standing second from left: Germany? Tell me, are you crazy? You Jeanette Kahn. 6-year-old Fredy is the second child from the left at the table. were persecuted here and you were a nobody and now you pay taxes I know everything by heart, I don‘t impelled. He was impelled to make up again.” That was a bit diffi cult for need it like that. I know everything for these three-and-a-half years and him. But he always showed his attach- by heart.” I used to check him out also perhaps to make up for what had ment to his “Heimat.” And I think he sometimes, “Now tell me, look here.” happened before, to catch up. And would have never been happy I was maybe eleven, twelve years old. that‘s how his life was structured. anywhere else. He actually did know all the prayers My mother was part of it. She But then people came and said, by heart. And he could sing, and how! recognized that in him. She wasn‘t “Yes, well, okay. But this young guy, They had done the same thing in like that herself. She was a bit more he shouldn‘t be here now. Why don‘t Baisingen back then. But he never felt artistic. She said, “The boy has to you send him to Israel?” I was the comfortable in Stuttgart because this learn an instrument.” My father just only son. And I should leave? And nigun, the rhythm of the songs was said, “What does he need an instru- who knows what will happen there. completely different from Baisingen ment, he‘s going to be a cattle dealer They will corrupt the future cattle and Rexingen. There, the services had anyway. You don‘t need an instru- dealer with intellectual posturing. It been more solemn. In Stuttgart, it was ment for that.” That‘s what he always sounds funny now, but that‘s how my just different now. conveyed. father thought and talked, “What He had no position in the congrega- Somehow, by talking to Jews, he does he need? He should do an tion. He only paid contributions, and started to think about whether what apprenticeship at a bank. He doesn‘t he was one of those who paid a lot. he was doing at that time was right. even need a high school diploma, and And donations, of course. But he He was running after the money, he that‘s that.” – “But America and Israel didn‘t have the time, after all. He had missed out on something, and he – the world is open to the boy!” I didn‘t want to at all, and he didn‘t wanted to make up for that, he had listened to that. have time. to make money again so that we could be well. Because in the end, you Connections to Shavei Tzion Emigration Plans? don‘t get anything for free. Then you The Jews of Shavei Tzion also came All his life, my father had the fee- have money and you should actually to my father and told him that it was ling—and he also conveyed it to me invest it. But not in Germany. It had really great there. There was Resi as a child—that he didn‘t want to miss been of no use because he had Pressburger née Gideon. Her father any more time because he had been already lost everything once. This was had had a butcher shop in the “Ju- forced to lose a lot of time during the confl ict he was in. dengässle” street. She lived in Shavei his youth. We never explicitly talked At one point, he had the feeling that Tzion. And in Nahariya, my father about that, but you could sense it. America was an alternative. There was had a cousin, Hermann Zvi Kahn. He “I say, vacation, I don‘t need that.” a connection to America through a had a small boarding house there, a “Restitution, I don‘t have time for friend of my mother‘s. There were small hotel. And then there was one that. I‘ll make own restitution. You‘ll relatives, too: his uncle Max who had of Kahn‘s sons, from whom my father only get in trouble anyway. You have emigrated to San Diego. And then my had bought the house in Baisingen, to prove everything. I don‘t need father started to save money, thinking from Hermann Kahn, a very rich Jew that.” He wasn‘t hectic, but he was that he had to bring money to America who later lived in London. His sons

24 were in Israel. One had a small com- pany for medical equipment. They always came to visit. And then came Thea Lemberger and Hilde Löwengart. They came to Freudenstadt every year or two to take a cure. He visited them there on Sundays and they came with us. And Thea Lemberger‘s husband, Karl Lemberger, was also a cattle dealer. He tried to get a foothold here again. That failed, of course. And then I had a religious education teacher, his name was Herbert Kahn. And he always said, “You have to go to Israel.” My parents were close friends with the teacher couple Kahn. Finally, it was said in our family that we would visit Israel one day. Not my father, though, who said, “I have to work. Okay, you go with mum. You‘re 18 now. You have a driver‘s license. You‘re going with your mom to Israel, The Kahn family – Jeanette, Harry, and Fredy – at the Stuttgart Jewish congregation’s Hanukkah to Shavei Tzion.” ball, ca. 1958. Egon Schweizer from Baisingen had his own farm in Israel with 40 cows Herbert Kahn, to Resi Schwarz, to the That‘s when some zest entered. These and with orange groves. When he Löwengarts. I had also met the old, teachers were roving teachers. They heard that we were coming, he called rich Artur Löwengart from the USA, came by train to Eutingen, at 1 pm. and said, „Well, I need this and that. and he told me on the terrace of his And I came by bus from Nagold from You bring that.“ And then he hung house in Shavei Zion that he had now school at 1 pm. I had religious edcuati- up. That was Israel. donated the money for the Löwengart on every week, always on Thursdays. Well, my mother sorted it all out. My Hall in Shavei Zion. And it varied according to the teacher. father gave us a Mercedes 190. We One of them liked to sing. The other went to Venice, then on to the ferry My Connections to the Jewish Con- one told stories and I was also allowed for four days. You got on the boat in gregation in Stuttgart to do crossword puzzles. It was real Venice and you were in Israel. The In Württemberg, children must attend learning, but in a small circle, that crew, the atmosphere, the food, the religious education classes at school means the teacher and me. parties in the evening with the Hora unless their parents say no. But my Then there was bar mitzvah and still dances. It was fantastic. For the fi rst parents didn‘t object. I came to the the home lessons. At that time there time I had the feeling that I was home. chief rabbi of Württemberg, Dr. Fritz were no high school fi nals in Jewish My mother, my cousin Franklin from Bloch, for religious instruction for the religious education in Wuerttemberg. England, and I went. We drove fi rst time when I was eight years old. It was only later that Mr. Meinhard around Israel in a Mercedes—wonder- There were no teachers at that time. Tenné was able to enforce that. I ful. And we drove to Shavei Tzion. The rabbi saw the children from Stutt- stopped learning when I was seven- The fi rst person that came to meet us, gart in the synagogue on Saturdays. teen. But on the holidays I always Resi, said, “You are Harry‘s son.” But there was a Fredy Kahn from out went with my parents to the synago- Right away, in Swabian. We stayed at of town, whose father didn‘t come gue in Stuttgart and later with my the Hotel Beit Chava. That was great. much. But Fredy also had to have reli- wife Cathy and the children. We went from house to house. And gious education. In the beginning, my I grumbled a lot about the school everywhere we had to tell them, mother brought me to Stuttgart once lessons at that time. Finally I said to “Why isn‘t your father with you?” a week or every other week. With myself, “You should not grumble, you The end of the story was that in Bloch, we had to write Hebrew the have to take responsibility.” So I got 1988 we celebrated the Bat Mitzvah way it was written in the prayer book, myself elected to the audit commissi- of my daughter Nathalie in Shavei hence in printed form. For an eight- on of the IRGW [Israelitische Religi- Tzion, in the Hotel Bet Chava, with year-old, that‘s crazy. I totally lost all onsgemeinschaft Württembergs, the my teacher and many guests. It was a the fun. It took me half an hour to Jewish congregation of Württemberg] huge celebration. By that time my write one word because it had to look and then later to the IRGW board of parents had already died. But we had like it was printed. directors. I‘m sure my father would very close relations to our relatives, to And then Israeli teachers came. have liked that.

25 The Levy Family and Ongoing Ties Between Branches in Hechingen and Quincy, Illinois

Cynthia Francis Gensheimer, Ph.D.1, Denver, CO, USA

When Hechingen-born J.D. Levy and his wife Matilda Steinau celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 1885, a local newspaper called them “among the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Quincy.“2 Residents of the Illinois city for 15 years, they were an affl uent couple with ten children and members of a vibrant Jewish community. Expensive gifts refl ected the Levy’s social ties. Matilda’s mother traveled from Kentu- cky to present a diamond breast pin. J.D. and Matilda‘s baby granddaugh- ter – the same age as the Levy‘s own youngest child – gave them a silver spoon. Other gifts – nearly all silver – came from employees of J.D. Levy’s business, including two nephews from Oil portraits of David and Henriette Levy. (Courtesy Private Friedlaender Family Collection) Hechingen, Siegfried Hochstadter and Samuel Raff.3 Matilda’s sister had come J.D. Levy’s Youth in the business world, he was sent from Rochester, New York, presenting Joseph David (J.D.) Levy was born in to Stuttgart—to a school “known “an ancient Pompeiian brass urn.” Hechingen in 1829, the fourth child most favorably in commercial and The party, which took place at the of merchant David Wolf Levy (1790- fi nancial circles for over one hundred Levy’s “elegant home,” began when 1866) and his wife Henriette Bacher years.”10 At the age of 19, J.D. left Quincy’s rabbi unfurled a scroll and (1800-1852). Oil portraits of David for the US. According to one source, read a poem that he’d written for the and Henriette Levy commissioned “during the revolution in 1849, on occasion.4 A few days after the party, when J.D. was a young boy speak to account of his political opinions, he J.D. went to New York City, “for the the couple’s prosperity.7 J.D. had fi ve left Germany and came to America, purpose of superintending the manuf- brothers and one sister. In 1831, they arriving at Louisville, Kentucky [...]”11 acture of his fall stock of clothing.”5 resided at House Nr. 97 in Hechingen There may have been anti-Semitism in The 70 people who attended the but had moved to House Nr. 106 by Hechingen at this time as well.12 With party consisted of relatives and 1858.8 J.D. was known for his intellect competition from so many brothers Quincy’s established Jewish couples and outstanding education. Undou- in the family business, J.D. may have who made up a tight social group. btedly he learned Hebrew at a young left thinking his prospects were better Writing 15 years later, another rabbi, age, for it was in Hechingen that he abroad. In any event, he traveled Elias Eppstein, described Quincy’s earned the reputation of being a fi ne alone from Le Havre to New Orleans, close-knit community: “We have linguist.9 Groomed to take a place Louisiana.13 been associated in business interests, in social life, and our voices have 1 The author wishes to thank many people for their 9 “The Jews of Illinois. Part Second: Jewish Communi- help: Benedict von Bremen, John Dromey, Lothar ties Outside of Chicago,” Reform Advocate, May 4, blended in prayer and praise before Vees, David Frolick, Anton Hieke, and Bridget Harri- 1901. Several examples of the writing of J.D. Levy the same sacred shrine.”6 J.D. and son. have survived. In correspondence with the Union 2 “Silver Wedding,” Quincy Whig, May 28, 1885, 6. of American Hebrew Congregations, his profi ciency Matilda were integrally involved with 3 “Death of Sigfried Hochstadter,” Quincy Daily Jour- with the written English language is evident. the city’s sole synagogue and in many nal, Jan. 28, 1889; “Siegfried Hochstadter,” Quincy 10 Addison Langdon, An Illustrated Chapter of ways resembled the other immigrants Daily Herald, Jan. 29, 1889, 4 Representative Men and Residences, Quincy Ill’s: 4 “A Silver Wedding,” Quincy Daily Journal, May 22, The Most Beautiful of All Western Cities (Addison who had succeeded in business and 1885, 4. Langdon, 1888). made Quincy their home for over a 5 “City News,” Quincy Daily Journal, May 30, 1885, 4. 11 Quincy Daily Journal, August 12, 1896, 4. decade. Every American city was 6 “Farewell Reception,” Quincy Morning Whig, Oct. 12 The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During 14, 1897, 8. the Holocaust, Vol. I, Shmuel Spector, ed., (NY: New home to Jews like them. The Levys 7 “J.D. Levy exhibits an oil portrait of his mother York University Press, 2001), 502. were unusual, however, in their painted in 1838.” from “Among the Art Exhibits,” 13 Joseph Levy, age 20, from Hechingen arrived in Quincy Daily Herald, Feb. 15, 1889. New Orleans on May 18, 1849. New Orleans ongoing business dealings with J.D.’s 8 Otto Werner, Hechinger Memorbuch (Hechingen: Passenger List, accessed on Ancestry.com, February German relatives. Verein Alte Synagoge Hechingen e.V., 2000). 21, 2017.

26 Not much is known about J.D.‘s early days in the US. According to a fl attering biographical sketch written decades later, he spent his fi rst four years in America working in the “mercantile and importing business” in Louisville. While there, he met his future wife, Matilda. Eldest child of Abraham Steinau and Henriette Mendel, Matilda had come to the US as a toddler. Her parents were married in Hochstätten, but Matilda’s birth- place is unknown.14 Matilda’s father and grandfather had a fi ne jewelry store in Louisville, and Matilda spent her childhood surrounded by a huge extended family.15

Canton, Missouri J.D. visited Hechingen in 1854 and then moved to Canton, Missouri, a Father, Joseph David Lery, Mother, Mathilda Steinau Levy. On Fathers‘s right – Hattie E. Levy thriving port on the Mississippi River, (Louchheim). On Mother‘s left – Harry Belle Levy (Silberman). Boy sitting on stool – David where he established a clothing Wolf (D.W.) Levy. Boy standing – Alfred Joseph (A.J.) Levy. Girl on Mother‘s lap – Naomi 16 store. At the age of 29, he returned Levy. Photo circa 1871. (Courtesy Private Friedlaender Family Collection) to Louisville to marry 16-year-old Ma- tilda.17 After the 1860 wedding, the newlyweds shared a house in Canton With J.D.’s duties taking him away $30,000, and Emil was worth with several others, including J.D.’s from home a good deal, Matilda $10,000.21 They had received younger brother, Emil. returned to the relative safety of $10,000 from Europe over the The couple’s fi rst child Hattie was Louisville, where she gave birth to the previous year, and their prospects born in Canton just two weeks after couple’s second child Mary in 1863. were considered “[very] good.”22 the start of the American Civil War By the time the next two were born In 1869 the Levy family moved (1861-1865). Canton was a divided – Alfred J. in 1865 and David Wolf in across the Mississippi River and 20 mi- community, with some favoring the 1867 – the couple was back in les south to the booming city of Quin- Union and others supporting the Canton, and the Levy clothing store cy, which was the largest city in Illinois Confederacy. As a border state, was thriving despite the effects of an outside of Chicago.23 The city’s future Missouri supplied troops to both sides 1864 fi re that destroyed the docks was promising, because the fi rst and was a dangerous place, the site of and warehouses on the waterfront. railroad bridge over the Mississippi many skirmishes. At the outbreak of J.D. and Emil had the backing of River was completed there, and goods the war, the Levy brothers enlisted in “wealthy relations in Germany,” and now moved from east coast to west a Union home guard unit. While J.D.’s an 1867 credit report estimated that coast through its rail hub. military record states that he was a J.D. was worth between $20,000 and A decade after a Canton credit private who “did but little duty,” Emil rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant 14 Abraham Steinau and Henrietta Mendel marriage Jefferson County, KY on May 21, 1860. Kentucky 18 document, July 3, 1843; Private Friedlander Family Marriage Records. during four months of service. Collection. 18 Joseph D. and Emil Levy served in the 2nd N.E. J.D. Levy made his contribution to 15 Abraham Steinau worked in Louisville and Missouri Home Guards. Offi ce of Adjutant General, the war effort as a sutler paid to Henderson, Kentucky. By the early 1850s, he and Record of Service Cards, Civil War, Box 51, Reel his father-in-law sold and repaired fi ne imported s00887. supply provisions to Union troops. An jewelry and watches. When Matilda’s grandmother 19 James Ellison and William Ellis to Mr JD Levey, Can- 1861 letter provided safe passage for died in Louisville in 1884, she left 12 children, 75 ton [Missouri], Sept. 26, 1861. Private Levy Family J.D. when he traveled to St. Louis on grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren. Collins’ Collection. 1848 City Directory for Louisville, Kentucky; 20 B.B. King, EV Nelson, Charles [ ] to H.M. Woody- business, describing him as “an advertisement, The Democratic Banner, Henderson, ard, Colonel Commanding, Canton [Missouri], Oct. energetic and unwavering friend of Kentucky, 21 Oct 1852, 3; Louisville Daily Courier, 7, 1861. Private Levy Family Collection. 24 Aug 1854, 4; The Courier-Journal (Louisville, 21 October 16, 1867, Missouri Vol. 22, p. 72, R.G. our now distracted but still glorious Kentucky) 14 Oct 1884, 5. Dun & Co. Credit Report Volumes, Baker Library, old Union.”19 The next month when 16 J.D. Levy took out a small notice in a Hechingen Harvard Business School. 10,000 USD in 1860 is the offi cers nominated J.D. to be a sutler, newspaper which translates as: „I hereby say a equivalent of about 264,000 USD in 2015 (https:// heartfelt ‘farewell‘ to all my friends and ac- www.minneapolisfed.org/community/teaching- they vouched for him, stating: “We quaintances as I am returning to New York.” It was aids/cpi-calculator-information/consumer-price- know him to be loyal honest & dated May 5, 1854 and signed “Joseph D. Levy.“ index-1800.) [My thanks to Benedict von Bremen for fi nding this 22 Ibid. faithfull also capable in every respect notice.] 23 James E. Davis, Frontier Illinois (Bloomington: India- to fi ll this offi ce.”20 17 Joseph D. Levy and Matilda Steinau married in na University Press, 1998), 375.

27 an extensive business, but otherwise “could at all times be found in the company of his wife and his child- ren.” And yet, J.D. Levy was quite involved in Jewish communal affairs, locally and nationally. He was once vice president of Quincy’s Reform congregation B’nai Sholom, whose trustees remembered him as an hono- red member of the larger community, “incessant in his devotion” to the congregation, “and in all relations of life esteemed for his . . . unbending integrity.“30 J.D. and his brother Emil were Storefront of J.D. Levy known by Jews throughout the US.31 & Co. Store. From: Thad W. Ward, Souvenir Views Perhaps in part because of his fre- of the Principal Public quent business travels, J.D. often and Private Buildings of acted as Quincy’s liaison to the Union Quincy, Illinois (Quincy, of American Hebrew Congregations IL: Hoffman and Schoene- (UAHC), a national network of man, Printers and Binders, Reform congregations established in 1892), no pagination. 1873. J.D. served on its prestigious national executive board and as reporter characterized J.D. as a internationally known Jewish phi- Quincy’s delegate to conferences “Dutch Jew: not well known,” J.D. lanthropist when he added a post- around the country. He collected local had established a reputation as a script to the letter: “We will call the pledges toward a national campaign “strictly honorable” good business- baby Montefi ore, wich [which] will for the Hebrew Union College; his man.24 With Henry Oberndorfer as a shorten to Monte, this is a nice name, donation of $200 put him at the top NY partner, the Quincy business sounds well & is at the same time in of the list of Quincy’s 11 contribu- expanded into a wholesale operation. honor of our celebrated coreligionist tors.33 By 1875, they manufactured their Montefi ore in London.”29 Apart from the UAHC, J.D. was own clothing in New York City (NYC). primarily involved with charitable Annual sales of $250,000 (the equiva- J.D. Levy and the Jewish Community work. In 1882, a group of Jews who lent of over $5 million in 2016), made Rabbi Elias Eppstein, who served banded together in Quincy to help them one of the largest clothing Quincy’s congregation from 1890 to persecuted Jews fl eeing Russia elected dealers in the entire “West.”25 By 1906, was a neighbor and frequent him president, and he attended a 1879 the fi rm of J.D. Levy & Co. (with visitor in the Levy home. In his diary, na tional conference in NYC to discuss trade in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, the rabbi described J.D. Levy as “prin- ways to help.34 Iowa and Nebraska) employed ten cipally a home man.” J.D. conducted men and fi ve or six traveling sales- men. Importers, as well as manufactu- 24 January 4, 1859, November, 1869, Missouri Vol. Levy sang at a large commemorative service held by 22, p. 91, R.G. Dun & Co. Credit Report Volumes, Jews in Quincy. J.D. Levy to Matilda Levy. rers, they had one of the largest Baker Library, Harvard Business School. 30 American Israelite, Oct. 31, 1889, 6; Sept. 17, factories in the east and an offi ce in 25 “J.D. Levy & Co.,” Quincy Whig, Jan. 7, 1875, 1; 1896; Jewish Voice (St. Louis, MO), April 3, 1891; 26 An ad in Quincy for J.D. Levy & Co. described them L.H. Cohen to Lipman Levy, Secretary, UAHC, Nov Leipzig as well. as “manufacturers and jobbers” and gave a Quincy 3, 1874, URJ Collection MS-72, Folder 4, Box A1-6, The Leipzig offi ce may have been location and a NYC location as well. (160 162 American Jewish Archives. the headquarters of the immense South 5th Avenue, New York); Quincy Daily Herald, 31 “Toledo, Ohio,” The American Israelite, Feb. 19, Apr. 5, 1878, 2. 1875, p. 6; Herman Eliassof, “The Jews of Illinois,” international fur trader Joseph Ull- 26 The History of Adams County Illinois: Portraits of The Reform Advocate, (Chicago, IL), May 4, 1901, mann, J.D.’s business associate. On Early Settlers and Prominent Men (Chicago: Murray, 378. one of his many trips to NYC, J.D. Williamson & Phelps, 1879), 963. 32 Lawrence (KS) Daily Journal July 11, 1879, p. 1. 27 J.D. Levy to Matilda Levy, Jan. 25, 1875. Private J.D. Levy to Lipman Levy, January 5, 1880. MS-72, wrote to Matilda of plans to bid Levy Family Collection. Folder 4, Box A1-6, American Jewish Archives. farewell to Ullmann, who was depar- 28 The letterhead was that of Oberndorfer, Chemidlin, 33 J.D. Levy contributed $200 to the HUC in memory of his parents. Sinking Fund Subscriptions, URJ Coll- 27 & Co., Furs, Hides, Wool, &c., 160 & 162 South ting for a six-month stay in Europe. Fifth Ave, the same address listed in an advertise- ection MS-72, Series A. Correspondence, 1873- The letterhead that J.D. used was that ment for J.D. Levy & Co. Quincy Whig, Jan. 7, 1983, Box A1-1, p. 649; “Memorial Contributions of a branch of the Ullmann fur 1875, 1. “Joseph Ullmann Inc. Move into New to the Hebrew Union College,” American Israelite, Premises,” Fur Trade Review, Sept., 1921, 165. Nov. 12, 1880, 157.; “UAHC Receipts for February, enterprise, whose Fifth Avenue 29 Sir Moses Montefi ore (1784–1885) was a well- 1881,” American Israelite, March 11, 1881, 295. address was identical to the NY known British Jewish philanthropist who used his 34 “Hebrew Relief Society,” Quincy Daily Whig, 28 substantial infl uence to ease the persecution of Jews May 12, 1882; Gould’s Quincy City Directory, address of J.D. Levy & Co. around the world and support those living in Pale- 1884–1885, 506; “City,” Quincy Daily Whig, June J.D. displayed his respect for an stine. On the occasion of his 100th birthday, Hattie 3, 1882, 8.

28 Emil Bacher Levy Born in Hechingen in 1838, Emil likely began clerking for his older brother J.D. but soon became a partner. At age 32, Emil married Julia Frank, who had come to Quincy to join a sister.35 Julia was born in Poultney, Vermont but spent her childhood in NYC.36 When in Toledo en route home from a NY business trip, Emil had a breakdown and was assisted by Max Eppstein, a childhood friend from Hechingen.37 After Emil died young, Julia took her 3-year old son David to NYC, where they lived with her parents.38 An impressive stone monu- ment was erected for Emil in Quincy’s Jewish cemetery.39 As an adult, David made a big impression when, in 1907, he visited Quincy in his chauffeur- driven motor car, sharing hair-raising tales of the poor quality of the roads between Chicago and Quincy.40 From Mary Belle Levy’s Photo Album. (Courtesy Private Friedlander Family Collection) Matilda Steinau Levy’s Life in Quincy Matilda was busy with child rearing during a period of three decades. conducted business and recorded its ones is, may Gods [sic] good protec- From 1861 when her fi rst child was minutes in German through 1886. ting hands ever be guiding them in all born, she gave birth every two to Matilda must have spoken fl uent their good thoughts & work.”44 three years. All but one of her 11 English, although late in life she gave Matilda encouraged her children to children grew to adulthood. Quincy’s German as her mother tongue.43 Her participate in the synagogue. They Jewish community thrived during the written English was quite good, and attended the Sabbath school and after 1870s and 1880s, and Matilda’s social the blessing that she gave her son confi rmation some of the girls taught life revolved around her family and Je- Mont upon his 1899 graduation from there as well.45 Several of the daugh- wish friends. Around 1870, the city’s the University of Michigan Law ters sang in the temple choir.46 Jewish population peaked at 450-500 School indicates that she was religious of its 24,000 inhabitants.41 but also worldly: “be it the will of our Hattie’s and Mary’s Trip to Europe Matilda’s drew her closest friends hevenly [sic] Father that [...] [this] When they were of marriageable from the women who worshipped at may be the fi rst step which will carry age, Hattie and Mary, the two eldest, B’nai Sholom. They were nearly all you on to fame & fortune […] all I spent a year abroad.47 Like other immigrants and had brought with can say to any of my own darling affl uent Jewish parents, the Levys them a familiar communal structure from their European homes. Many 35 “Matrimonial,” Quincy Daily Herald, Feb. 2, 1871, 4. (NY: New York University Press, 2001), 502. came from Jewish communities that 36 Julia’s father was Moses Frank and her mother was 42 In Hechingen, male and female chebra kadischa Hannah Gutheim, a sister of Jacob Koppel Gutheim, societies cared for the sick and dead and also for the were leaning toward Reform. As in a prominent American rabbi born in 1817 in Men- community’s poor. In 1893, J.D.’s brother Michael Hechingen, men and women orga- ne, near Warburg. was one of the leaders of Hechingen’s chebra nized into separate benevolent 37 “Toledo, Ohio,” The American Israelite, Feb. 19, kadischa. For a full description of these organizations 1875, p. 6. and their history, see Otto Werner, “Jüdische societies that originated as burial 38 David Emil Levy was born in Quincy on March 19, Bruderschaften und Verein in Hechingen”, societies.42 1872. As an adult, he spelled his surname Levey. Hohenzollerische Heimat, March 1982, 11–52; Juni Date of birth from New York Passenger List, 1930, 1982, 20–22. When Matilda moved to Quincy, Ile De France. 43 1920 United States Federal Census, St. Louis, MO. she joined the Hebrew Ladies’ Bene- 39 “A Beautiful Monument,” Quincy Whig, Feb. 15, 44 Matilda Steinau Levy to Mont Levy, June 18, 1899; volent Society (HLBS), formed in 1877, 8. Private Levy Family Collection. 40 “Come to Quincy from New York,” Quincy Daily 45 “In Memoriam,” Quincy Daily Whig, November 1863. Members assisted one another Journal, July 20, 1907, 1; “News in Brief,” Quincy 11, 1894, 3; Hattie Levy was one of four young in times of sickness, attended dying Daily Journal, July 23, 1907. women who taught in the religious school in 1886. members, and prepared corpses for 41 Author’s calculations; “Hebrew,” The Quincy American Israelite, Feb. 12, 1886, 5. Leah Levy was Whig, Dec. 13, 1877, 2; US Federal Census, 1870. confi rmed in 1893 and afterward taught in the Sab- burial according to Jewish tradition. Hechingen’s Jewish population peaked decades bath school. “Confi rmation at the Temple,” Quincy They also helped the poor, particularly earlier at 809, and was a much larger portion (25%) Daily Whig, May 23, 1893. of the city’s population. In 1880 it had diminished 46 See, for example, “Montefi ore Celebration,” The Jewish women, and supported the to 340.The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and Quincy Whig, October 30, 1884, 5. temple and its rabbi. The HLBS During the Holocaust, Vol. I, Shmuel Spector, ed., 47 According to a newspaper account of a surprise

29 wanted their daughters to polish their burried in the ‘depths of the deep woman, who would thereby aid her German and French and develop an blue sea’[...]”55 husband in supporting the family.”60 appreciation of German literature, In addition, HLBS members rotated on music, art and culture.48 Although the Children in Quincy a committee to visit the sick. girls began with six months in Hechin- Upon arriving home at Quincy’s train Women’s organizations in Quincy, gen, unfortunately the diary is silent depot, Hattie and Mary were greeted drawn almost exclusively along as to their time there. A separate by friends singing to the accompa- religious lines, included a German photo album does contain photos of niment of the Gem City Band.56 The Catholic women’s society that was Mary in Hechingen. Levy children were part of an elite similar to the HLBS.61 In 1890, a Mary’s travel diary reveals the group of Jewish teenagers that met nondenominational women’s group family’s affl uence and its extensive regularly and staged performances to was organized, with Matilda serving network of contacts. It begins on Oct. support the HLBS, the temple and the on the philanthropy committee.62 7, 1880, when the sisters “left the Sabbath school.57 These children had J.D. was one of several Jews who beautiful little city of Quincy, Ill” by studied elocution, piano, violin, and played key roles in the citywide rail and settled down to enjoy a picnic voice. Whatever the event – be it the Associated Charities.63 He was supper, “the last meal prepared by the 10-day fair that the HLBS staged to remembered as “always actively hands of their mother for a long time retire the debt on the temple in 1884, identifi ed with every movement calcu- to come.”49 They stopped in Louisville or a leap-year dance hosted by young lated to promote the public to visit their grandparents before women in 1888 – Levy children were welfare.”64 Some of the Levy children continuing to NYC and on to Eu- involved.58 also participated in nonsectarian rope.50 Matilda took a more active role in associations, including the Turnverein. Newspapers published enthusiastic the HLBS as her children grew older. The children, all of whom attended letters that Mary wrote home. One When serving her fi rst term as HLBS public schools, had Christian friends, described an American “capitalist” president in 1892, her three middle but none married outside the faith.65 she had met who was developing “an daughters starred in a puppen-fest the air-vessel of steel” capable of crossing group staged to raise funds for the Children’s Adult Lives the Atlantic in two or three days: “To poor before winter. Dressed as By the time the eldest son, Alfred me it hardly appears credible, but still different kinds of dolls, the children J. Levy, married Gussie Jacobs, the what can not be achieved in this, the sang and danced, and Levy girls family’s place in society was secure. nineteenth century? We are scarcely played a piano duet as well.59 Matilda The press described the 1891 wed- allowed to entertain a doubt of any presided over the HLBS at a time ding, which took place in the temple, scientifi c invention.”51 when it faced an infl ux of families as the “social event of the season,” The girls’ travels took them from eastern Europe that needed aid. uniting “two of Quincy’s oldest and throughout Germany, visiting relatives At a special meeting held at the Levy most highly respected families.”66 and acquaintances nearly every- house, the group voted to purchase a Alfred had been groomed to take over place.52 They spoke German well sewing machine “for a poor Russian the family business, and he and Gus- enough to enjoy attending the theater and opera. Mary’s entry for the day send-off party for the girls the night before they Quincy, Ill., American Israelite, Nov. 10, 1892, 2. they spent in Wiesbaden is typical. left Quincy, they had planned to spend two years 60 HLBS Minutes, Feb. 19, 1894, Wohltätigkeitsverein in Europe. “Going to Europe,” Quincy Daily Whig, Israelitischer Frauen (Quincy, Ill.) Minutes, X–41, She described the history of a beauti- October 4, 1880. American Jewish Archives. ful church, marveled at the scenic 48 “Off for Europe,” Quincy Daily Herald, April 29, 61 The St. Elizabeth’s Society held fairs and festivals countryside and concluded: “Among 1874. to raise money primarily to beautify its church and 49 Mary Levy Travel Diary, Oct. 7, 1880. Private Silber- help the priest. Theodore Bruener, History of the other places of interest we saw the man Family Collection. Catholic Church in Quincy in the State of Illinois, Synagogue, Anlagen, took refresh- 50 Mary Levy Travel Diary, Oct. (Quincy, Illinois: Volk, Jones & McMein, 1887), 51 “Quincy Folks Abroad,” Quincy Daily Whig, Dec. 46–48. ments at Römers one of the best 18, 1880, 4. 62 “Women in Council,” Quincy Daily Whig, Oct. 14, confectionaries in Germany, and 52 They spent a month in Stuttgart and made short 1893, 3. attended the Concert in the evening visits to Mainz and Frankfurt. 63 “Election of Offi cers,” Quincy Daily Herald, Dec. 53 Mary Levy Travel Diary, July 3, 1881. 13, 1893, 1. 53 at the Kur Saal.” 54 Mary Levy Travel Diary, Aug. 21–24 1881. 64 “Death of Mr. J.D. Levy,” Quincy Daily Whig, Aug. At the end of their holiday, the girls 55 “Trip from Europe to America,” Sept 1st-Sept 9th 13, 1896, 3. 1881, Mary Levy Travel Diary. 65 Based on what is known about the Levy daughters, visited Paris, where they strolled 56 Quincy Daily Herald, Sept. 23, 1881, 4. they all completed eighth grade. The second-to- through the Tuileries, went window 57 Levy children belonged to the Utile Dulce [U.D.] youngest graduated from high school, and Leah, the shopping, and spent time with several Society of Jewish children who organized to raise youngest, completed a four-year college program money for the Sabbath school. “The U.D. Entertain- 54 and became a nurse. Leah practiced her German by eligible Jewish bachelors. They ment,” Quincy Daily Whig, Feb. 17, 1887, 3; “The writing letters to Rabbi Eppstein. Quincy Daily Whig, traveled in style on their return. Mary U.D. Entertainment,” Quincy Daily Journal, Feb. Sept. 22, 1907, 7. Ruth married Milton M. Mayer, described the ship’s elegant ladies’ 17, 1887, 4. son of one of Chicago’s fi rst clothing manufactu- 58 “A Grand Fair,” Quincy Daily Herald, Oct. 26, rers. Together they founded Chicago’s North Shore parlor but mentioned also that it 1884, 4. “On Event Rarely Excelled,” Quincy Daily Congregation Israel, an offshoot of Sinai. “Ruth L. carried over 1,000 third-class passen- Herald Feb. 29, 1888, 4. Quincy Daily Whig, Jan. 9, Mayer,” Chicago Tribune, Nov. 19, 1974, 50; “Obi- 1880, 10. Quincy Daily Herald, Jan. 12, 1892, 3. tuary,” Chicago Daily Tribune, July 10, 1916, 11. gers. She wrote, “During the trip 59 Letter to the editor from Rabbi Elias Eppstein, [wri- 66 “Hearts and Hands,” Quincy Daily Herald, Sept. three children which died were ting under his pseudonym “S”] dated Nov. 4, 1892, 10, 1891, 5.

30 sie remained in Quincy for another decade. Profi ciency in German enabled David, second eldest of the Levy sons, to enter the family’s European busi- ness. In his early 20s, David bicycled with a group of Americans for four months through the British Isles and continental Europe, ending by cycling along the Rhine.67 David may have visited Hechingen, because shortly after his return, the Levys began selling “Natural Wool Sanitary Underwear made in our own factory in Hechingen, Germany.”68 A few years later, David moved to NYC to Hohenzol- be the exclusive American distributor lern Sanitary of the Hohenzollern Sanitary Under- Underwear wear produced in his uncles’ Hechin- Advertisement gen factory. A Quincy newspaper in the San Fran- reported that the company had been cisco Chronicle, established a century earlier by January 9, David’s grandfather. From his base in 1898, p. 15. NYC, David made extensive business trips to Hechingen and other Europe- “most prominent business men [...] a confer with my eldest daughter, son an destinations over the next several great reader, possessing a rare fund of and son-in-law.”79 Matilda remained years.70 Initially, he enjoyed great information on all important in Quincy a few years before moving success, “in a single year [...] introdu- questions.”77 to NYC and then to St. Louis, where cing these goods in nearly every After J.D.’s death, Matilda received she died in 1923.80 Alfred headed the important city of the country. They a sizable life insurance payment as family business in Quincy until 1901, are regarded as the best sanitary well as a large inheritance.78 J.D. had when his family moved to St. Louis. In woolens manufactured and are in left his entire estate to her and named 1903, he paid $2,500 for the Angelica demand everywhere.”71 her executrix of his will, with the Jacket Company and its six sewing J.D.’s brother Max died in 1892 in stipulation that “should she desire any machines.81 Alfred brought his Hechingen, where he was a partner in advice concerning the management brothers Mont and David into the the family business and said to have and control of my estate that she business, and the three transformed it “amassed a large fortune.”72 J.D. had 67 “Sights in Paris,” Quincy Daily Whig, July 28, 1889, 76 J.D. Levy died on August 12, 1896. Final medical transferred much of the responsibility 2; “A European Bicycle Tour,” Quincy Daily Whig, report of J.D. Levy. of the Quincy store to the next Mar. 3, 1889, 9. 77 “Death of Mr. J.D. Levy,” Quincy Daily Whig, 68 Advertisement for “Levys’,” Quincy Daily Herald, August 13, 1896, 3. generation. Discouraged in part by a Oct. 13, 1889, 6. 78 “Brevities,” Quincy Daily Whig, Nov. 26, 1896, freak accident which affected his 69 “Local and General News,” Quincy Daily Journal, 8. In addition to insurance, J.D.’s estate came to health, and hoping to fi nd a cure in Nov. 4, 1892, 7. about $35,000: a personal estate of $30,000 and 70 David Levy traveled to Europe for stays of up to six net business interests of a little over $5,000. J.D. Europe, in 1896 J.D. Levy traveled to months as American representative of Hohenzollern Levy owned business property valued at $10,000, Hechingen accompanied by Matilda Sanitary Woolen Mills. See, for example, “Local consisting of two farms, lots in small towns, and an and General News,” Quincy Daily Journal, July 27, ice house in Quincy. Stock in the J.D. Levy Clothing and their two youngest daughters. He 1895, 7. Co. was valued at $25,000. J.D. was heavily in- was further saddened when he 71 “Splendid Sales,” Quincy Daily Whig, Oct. 28, debted, however, owing a total of $19,100 ($5,200 learned that his sole surviving brother, 1893, 3. to a brother-in-law, Leo Block of Rochester, NY ; 72 The Quincy Whig, Dec. 8, 1892, 5. $11,100 to Ricker National Bank in Quincy; $2,100 Michael, had died while the group 73 After Rabbi Epstein delivered the eulogy at J.D. to Bert M. Jacobs; $700 to a Louisville bank.) After was sailing to Europe.73 Still unwell Levy’s funeral, the rabbi refl ected upon J.D. Levy’s payment of those debts, substantial funeral costs, upon his return to NYC, J.D. sought a personality: “Extreme nervousness producing me- and fi nal medical and legal fees, about $5,000 lancholia was his sickness. Indeed with Jos. D. Levy remained. Will and probate documents concerning water treatment in a Hartford sanitari- a good man has departed this life.” Diary of Rabbi the estate of J.D. Levy. um.74 Doctors there judged him to Elias Eppstein, Aug. 12, 1896; Aug. 16, 1896. 79 Will of J.D. Levy, signed March 2, 1896, witnessed 74 Diary of Rabbi Elias Eppstein, Aug. 12, 1896. by Wolf Joseph and Rabbi Elias Eppstein, Quincy, have a bright intellect but diagnosed 75 Final medical report of J.D. Levy, attachment to IL., Illinois Wills and Probate Records, accessed on “senile insanity” brought on by a a letter dated Nov. 1, 1991, from The Institute of Ancestry.com, April 15, 2017. business setback.75 J.D. died of heat Living, Hartford, Connecticut. Private Friedlander 80 “Personals,” Quincy Daily Whig, May 27, 1900, Family Collection. Substantial debts owed by J.D. 8; Matilda died on April 5, 1923. Missouri death stroke only eight days after his Levy at the time of his death suggest that his busi- certifi cate. admission.76 He was buried in Quincy, ness had lost a lot of its value in the Panics of 1893 81 “Angelica Corporation History,” http://www. and 1896. Will and probate documents concerning fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/angelica- where he was remembered in the the estate of J.D. Levy, Illinois Wills and Probate corporation-history/ accessed Mar. 2, 2017. press as having been one of the city’s Records, accessed on Ancestry.com, April 15, 2017.

31 into a fl ourishing nationwide manuf- acturer of uniforms of all sorts. During World War II, they made combat jackets for soldiers and uniforms for female factory workers.82 Alfred and Mont lived in St. Louis most of their adult lives and were generous contri- butors to Jewish and secular causes.83 When J.D. died, Matilda was in Chicago visiting her daughter Mary, then the mother of fi ve children. Mary’s husband, Sigmund “Sig” Silberman, born in Rockenhausen, Alien Case File A7571559, Lillie Kaufmann, National Archives Identifi er 7234440, Alien Case immigrated to Quincy in 1870. He Files, 1944-2003, Record Group 566, Records of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, began as a country peddler with a National Archives at Kansas City. horse and cart buying furs, wool and hides from farmers and small-town American born ladies, who visit eyed blonde who grew up in Berlin merchants.84 Continuing in that line, Europe, to procure passports?”91 and spoke English, French, and he and two brothers built up a Ludwig moved back to Germany German. Ellen eloped to Paris to thriving business in Quincy, moving to permanently and married Boston-born marry Fritz Wallmann. In 1936, Mary Chicago in 1886.85 First a giant in the Lottie Phillips. Their one child Lillie, Levy Silberman, who lived with her wool industry, the fi rm had become born in Hechingen in 1888, left at 15 son Hubert in Chicago, sponsored the one of the leading fur fi rms in the to attend school in Berlin.92 She couple to immigrate to the US.96 country by the time Sigmund brought married a hat manufacturer, and the Hubert was in the Silberman wool in his two eldest sons in 1910.86 The couple lived in the same Berlin business and traveled frequently to Silbermans were members of apartment building as Albert Einstein, Europe. The next summer, Ellen Chicago’s Jewish elite and active in whom they considered their closest vacationed in St. Louis, where she charitable work. Mary belonged to friend.93 Ludwig died in 1922 and was visited other children of J.D. and her temple’s (Sinai) Sisterhood and the buried in Hechingen.94 Two years later Matilda Levy.97 National Council of Jewish Women Lillie and her husband vacationed in Ludwig’s widow Lottie managed to and was devoted to immigrant the US, and Lottie left her home in leave Germany in 1939, and Lillie and resettlement.87 Hechingen to visit Mary Levy Silber- her husband left in 1941 via a circui- man in Chicago.95 tous route: Nice, France to Martinique Ludwig Levy Lillie had one child, Ellen, a blue- to St. Thomas to NYC.98 In Chicago, Ludwig Levy, son of J.D.’s brother Max, left his Hechingen home in 1872 at age 17, sailing from Hamburg 82 By the 1960s the Angelica Uniform Co. was “the 92 Hechinger Memorbuch, 336. largest manufacturer of men’s and women’s was- 93 Upon their arrival in NYC on Jan. 29, 1924 on the 88 to NYC on his way to Quincy. By hable service apparel for hospitals, restaurants and Majestic from Southampton, Lillie and Siegmund this time, Max and another brother hotels.” “Angelica Corporation History.” http:// Kauffmann listed Professor Einstein, Haberlandstr. 5, www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/ Berlin, as their closest relative or friend in Germany. headed the family textile business in angelica-corporation-history/ accessed Mar. 2, New York Passenger List. Hechingen. Ludwig was a clerk and 2017; “Angelica Corporation—St. Louis History,” 94 Hechinger Memorbuch, 336. bookkeeper for J.D. Levy and lived http://stlcin.missouri.org/history/peopledetail. 95 Lottie Levy arrived in NYC from Hamburg on Nov. cfm?Master_ID=1705 accessed Mar. 2, 2017. 2, 1924 on the Albert Ballin. New York Passenger 89 with the family. 83 “Funeral of Alfred J. Levy,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, List. Ludwig chaperoned Hattie and Aug. 11, 1947, 15; “Alfred J. Levy Estate,” St. Louis 96 Fritz and Ellen Wallmann listed their closest relative Post-Dispatch, Sept. 13, 1947, 5; “Mont Levy Dies in Germany as Fritz’s father, W. Wallmann of Mary on their journey from Quincy to at 64,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 19, 1939, 17; Berlin. For US relative they gave “Aunt, Mrs. M. Hechingen in 1880. Mary described “Mont Levy Dies While in East on Business,” St. Sillerman,” 4849 Greenwood Ave., Chicago. 4849 him as “the gentleman, to whose care Louis Star and Times, June 20, 1939, 5. Greenwood Ave. was the address of Mary’s son, 84 Memoir of Sig Silberman. Private Friedlander Family Hubert S. Silberman. US Dept. of Labor List or the ladies were left, […] their cousin Collection. Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States, from Europe, although at the time 85 “Going to Chicago,” Quincy Daily Whig, April 22, S.S. Lafayette, sailing from Le Havre France, Aug. 1886. 19, 1936. spoken of, an American Citizen, as he 86 Fur Trade Review, Vol. 46, Feb. 1919, 212-214; 97 Ellen Wallman’s photo album included a page had been in the US long enough to Hunter Trader Trapper, Vol. XX, April, 1910, 105. she entitled “Vacation 1937 to St. Louis, Mo.” become naturalized.”90 Once the 87 Chicago Jewish Community Blue Book (Chicago: prominently featuring photos of Alfred J. Levy and The Sentinel Publishing Co., ca 1918), 5, 349. his wife Gussie as well as Hattie Levy Louchheim. three arrived in NYC, Ludwig wrote to 88 Ludwig departed Hamburg on the Holsatia on May Private Wallman Family Collection. the US State Department requesting 22, 1872. Hamburg Passenger List accessed via 98 US Dept. of Labor List or Manifest of Alien Pas- to renew his passport: “[...] I have ancestry.com, March 2, 2017. sengers for the United States, Passengers Sailing 89 Edmonson’s Adams County and Quincy City Direc- from Martinique, May 31, 1941; Alien Case File performed no act to forfeit my tory, 1876-77, 25. A7571559, Lillie Kaufmann, National Archives Iden- American citizenship, with the excep- 90 Mary Levy Travel Diary, Oct. 7, 1880. tifi er 7234440, Alien Case Files, 1944-2003, Record 91 Ludwig Levy to U.S. Department of State, Oct. Group 566, Records of the U.S. Citizenship and tion of staying in Europe somewhat 19, 1870, on stationery of Hochstadter Brothers, Immigration Services, National Archives at Kansas over two years [...] Is it necessary for Manufacturers of Clothing, NY. City.

32 the refugees received some help from childhood.” Ellen attended services at and had much in common, retaining relatives but never regained the ease a liberal synagogue, where the music business relationships into the 20th of their former lives. Lillie and her sung by the “magnifi cent kantor” century. The extended family exem- husband earned a small sum by made her very emotional, thinking, in plifi es Jews living in small cities who tending chickens and selling eggs.99 her own words, “that here I was were philanthropic, sophisticated and After her husband died in 1943, Lillie worshipping freely in a place where 3 worldly. lived for 20 years in a Chicago senior generations ago my Jewish brethren residence.100 The Selfhelp Home was a were killed for just doing that.”102 mutual-aid organization run by and for Holocaust survivors and refugees, Conclusion 99 The death certifi cate of Siegmund Kaufman, who where Lillie organized cultural events J.D. and Matilda Levy’s tale is not died on May 12, 1943 in Evanston, IL, stated that he was an egg dealer. Conversation with Howard and may have done administrative the typical “rags to riches” story so Wallman, Feb. 8, 2017. work.101 In 1986, Lillie’s daughter heralded in the 19th century. J.D. 100 Conversation with Howard Wallman. Ellen returned to Berlin as part of a worked hard but came from an affl u- 101 For a history of Chicago’s Selfhelp Home, still in operation: https://www.selfhelphome.org/digni- group of 240 Jews hosted by Berlin’s ent family, most of whom never had ty/. Conversation with Howard Wallman. Ellen Bürgermeister (mayor), who advised reason to leave Germany. The close- Kaufman’s husband served in the US military in WWII and was wounded when his plane was shot the group to “try to attach our knit branches of the family straddling down over Germany. feelings to the good memories of our the Atlantic were refi ned and cultured 102 Ellen Wallman’s reminiscences

Rexingen, Revisited

In 2018, a man from Australia wrote to author Mimi Schwartz in New Jersey about her book about Rexin- gen (Good Neighbors, Bad Times, Echoes of My Father’s German Village – 2008). This man, Max Sayer, had been a young Catholic boy in this village during the Hitler years – and confi rmed her father’s memories of Jewish/Christian relations before Hit- ler: “As your father told you, we all got along….” So began a correspondence that led Schwartz to this second edition, now Mimi Schwartz is an award-winning, socially called conscious American author, educator, and public Good Neighbors, Bad Times Revisi- speaker. She lives in Princeton, USA. ted: New Echoes of My Father’s Ger- Her father Arthur Löwengart was born in man Village (University of Nebraska Rexingen in 1899, her mother Gerda Tiefental Press – Spring 2021). in Stuttgart in 1911. The couple emigrated to the USA in 1936 and always kept close contact Schwartz splices into her previous with Shavei Zion, where they are both buried. Cover of the First Edition. work 20 excerpts from a private memoir that Max wrote, remembe- ring his Rexingen from age fi ve in What one early Reviewer has to say: 1935 to the end of the war. Schwartz fi nds new perspectives in the comple- Schwartz’ scrupulously researched, Youth movement. And beyond that, xity of decency and what that meant humane and multi-voiced account as an extraordinary gift, in the letter then—and what it means now in our of a German village where Jews and writing between Schwartz and this polarized times of rising anti-Semitism gentiles “all got along….” has been newly discovered family, the meaning and hate of “Other.” This edition also profoundly enriched in this second of “neighbor“ gains an utterly new captures the growing trust and edition. Now we have excerpts from dimension. friendship that develop across oceans a private memoir of a man who as between two families that, without a boy witnessed the burning of the Alicia Ostriker, New York State Poet Hitler, would have lived fi ve houses village synagogue, the encroachment Laureate and Academy of American apart in a village whose legacy they of Nazism, the deportation of Jews, Poets Chancellor share. and the burgeoning of the Hitler

33 The Laying of Stumbling Stones for Tübingen Jews

Sigrid Goth-Zeck and Günter Häfelinger, Tübingen

In 2011, 26 Stumbling Stones were the Christian Churches Association the Cologne artist Gunter Demnig in laid in Tübingen‘s Südstadt on the backed their demands. In September downtown Tübingen. For three days, initiative of the Protestant Eberhard 2017, the Cultural Committee of the 23 descendants of Tübingen‘s Jews Church congregation for escaped and City of Tübingen approved a motion to from England, France, Israel and the deported Tübingen Jews. relocate the Stumbling Stones by a USA had travelled to the site. Below In 2016, a private initiative was then large majority. are a speech that were given on the set up to lay further Stumbling Stones The 29 Stumbling Stones were laid occasion of the Stolperstein 2018 in Tübingen‘s city centre. In June 2017, on 10 July 2018 at eight locations by relocation.

Talk of Sigrid Goth-Zeck on the Reception on Monday, July 9, 2018 in Tübingen for 24 Jewish Guests of the Stolperstein-Initiative Tübingen Dear guests, bling stones in Tübingen. They wrote tribute to the individual, unimaginable for two years we have worked toge- us: “What an amazing project you are suffering infl icted on your relatives. ther as an initiative for this moment. working on with your co-workers. It is We bow before them. This is a very important day for all of very, very moving. We appreciate With the stumbling stones we join a us, and the work of remembrance has that.“ Unfortunately, they cannot Europe-wide culture of commemora- become more and more important to arrive now, but ask us for a photo of tion. The Cologne artist Gunter us. What has moved us most in this the two stumbling stones that they, Demnig has created an impressive time, I would like to make clear to you like us, want to visit in the next years. work with this idea since 1992. in our last contact with some relatives But dear guests, you have come Tomorrow he will also lay the stones from the USA: today to express this love and appre- for your relatives himself. There are In June this year we received an ciation of your relatives, who were now almost 70,000 stumbling blocks email and a phone call from two also defamed, expelled and fi nally in over 20 European countries that grandchildren living on the west coast murdered in Tübingen between 1933 keep the common memory of the of the USA. Her grandfather had and 1942. We are very touched by victims of National Socialist ideology emigrated to Illinois in 1888 at the age this. You have a long journey behind alive. They want to be a reminder that of 16. Exactly 130 years lie in between, you and you are not afraid of the what has happened will never be until the day tomorrow when two fi nancial expenditure. You expose forgotten and that we remain very stumbling blocks are laid for her grand- yourself to internal and external stress vigilant with regard to the current father‘s two sisters. We could fi rst tell in order to remember your relatives in situation. these grandchildren that their grandfa- front their last home. We thank you And there is hope for that here ther had two sisters. And they give us for this from the bottom of our hearts. today: – as they say - their complete permissi- The small brass plates with the – If you have come as a generation on and thank us for laying the stum- inscription of the dates of life pay of children and grandchildren to commemorate – – If pupils and their teachers are prepared to deal with the Nazi era and when they are prepared to deal with the biographies of the displaced young relatives and then even write and read them themselves, – – then this is an essential contribution to understanding across the gene- rations – even in our city – and we don‘t have to fear that our memories will run out. I would like to conclude with a quotation from a letter Hanna Bernheim who wrote on September 22, 1981. It expresses it’s “hope that the majority of the young genera- tion will be ready to help to heal the Gunter Demnig laying the stumbling stones for the Oppenheim and Schäfer families on Holz- deep wounds and to prevent such markt, Tübingen, July 10, 2018. (Courtesy Benedict von Bremen) barbarism from recurring“.

34 Welcome Speech by Günter Häfelinger on July 9, 2018

On behalf of the Stumbling Stone Sigrid and myself, had sat down with secretary of the DBK, who can also Initiative, I warmly welcome you all. Elisabeth Odinius and we decided to legally issue donation receipts for an I would like to start with a big thank support Jonathan‘s positive decision amount from 200 Euro. Since then, you to all those who have supported by Michal Wager for a stumbling our group, which has now grown to us in many ways, especially the many stones. After the time when the 17 active people in the meantime, has donors who have made the fi nancial history trail steles would be set up. been able to hold a total of 22 regulation of these three days com- This was fi nally realized in May 2016. meetings free of charge in the rooms pletely possible for us with large or Thereupon, on July 19, 2016, we had of the DBK. The community also small money transfers and who have a fi rst meeting of our so-called made today‘s room available and even made a travel subsidy possible. Stumbling Stone Initiative with 9 donated the welcome sparkling wine. As already mentioned, Sigrid peoples. But with a letter we also Many thanks for all to our pastor Goth-Zeck asked in 2014 why there caused a strong rejection on the part Angelika Volkmann. are no stumbling stones in Tübingen. of the city administration and the Our other activities were concentra- Since 2013 we have been a member history workshop (Geschichtswerk- ted on: informing the Tübingen public of the Association for the Promotion statt). However, we were able to from 2016 on with a total of four of Jewish Culture by Harald Schwa- prove that the Jews questioned by fl yers, the last edition of which you all derer, who is here, and we learned Mrs. Schurig, who lived in Tübingen, received, and the collection of a total that there have been 26 stumbling and the descendants of former of 600 support signatures, as well as stones in the southern part placed in Tübingen Jews written by us are the announcement of our donation 2011. Harald named us Jonathan strongly for stumbling stones. After a account in the fl yers. Schilling, a former student of the negative discussion with Mayor As a completely private initiative (no Wildermuth High School. From 2013 Palmer, a special meeting of the association!) we sought the support on he was active with regard to Culture Committee was held on 16 of the Tübingen churches. After the stumbling stones in Tübingen and in September 2017 at the request of the DBK parish council, then the so-called 2014 he visited in Jerusalem Liselotte AL/Greens, to which Sigrid and I were Closer Council of the 7 Tübingen Schäfer married Michal Wager, a invited with the right to speak. The Protestant parishes and after that the former pupil in the 1920s at Wilder- result of the vote was overwhelmingly large and important ACK = Arbeitsge- muth High School. He told her about positive: the future laying of stum- meinschaft Christlicher Kirchen. There the stumbling stones and that he bling blocks in Tübingen was appro- are connected to 27 churches in wanted to make an effort to set a ved with only two votes against! Tübingen. We have always met with stumbling stone for her in Tübingen. The realization was made possible the great approval. In an ACK mee- She was moved to tears. With his by my contacts to the Dietrich Bonho- ting, for example, a spontaneous idea, however, he ran against closed effer community, to which I had donation of Euro 1,000 was decided. doors all over Tübingen‘s city admini- belonged for 16 years as a parish You can now experience the result stration. They argumented that the council. In an intensively discussed of our almost exactly two-year activity Tübingen local council decided in joint meeting, they unanimously this evening and in the following two 2008 not to let any stumbling blocks decided to support our initiative and days. I am delighted that you have all be set in Tübingen. The alternative made a very important decision: The come and that we are now experien- concept of the culture of remem- donation account for our group can cing days together that will remain in brance in Tübingen should be realised be managed by the community your memory. through the Geschichtspfad steles of the Geschichtswerkstatt and anyway Contact: the former Tübingen Jews would not Prof. Dr. Günter Häfelinger want any stumbling stones. Pastor Eichenweg 3, 72076 Tübingen Wassmann told us in a talk in June Tel.: 0 70 71/ 60 05 19 2015 how the stumbling stones in the Email: guenter.haefelinger@uni- Südstadt came about. Afterwards, tuebingen.de together with Pastor Staiger and the association Loretto, they had collected enough money for over 20 stumbling stones and, bypassing the municipal The stumbling stones for the murdered council, he had organized the laying cantor and religion teacher Dr. Josef of 26 stumbling stones with the Civil Wochenmark, his wife Bella and their Engineering Offi ce, because no fl ed sons Alfred (Mark) and Arnold historical path stelae are planned in (Marque) were laid at Wöhrdstrasse 23 the southern city. After this lecture, on July 10, 2018. (Courtesy Prof. Dr. four people, apart from Jonathan, Günter Häfelinger)

35 The Tübingen History Path to National Socialism: An Example for Researching and Exploring Local History

Benedict von Bremen, Tübingen

Tübingen during National Socialism was attractive to many Germans. The to work at the university, in local Tübingen had been a regional Nazi NSDAP and its many satellite organi- businesses, and in private households. stronghold already before Adolf Hitler zations provided career opportunities Except for some air raids, Tübingen came to power in 1933. The univer- and offered recreational activities. remained relatively unscathed by sity town’s academic and bourgeois Minors often happily served in the World War II. As elsewhere in Germa- environment was characterized by Hitler Youth. Mass events like mar- ny, the post-war years were characte- nationalist, völkisch, and antisemitic ches on national holidays cemented rized by German self-victimization sentiments. In the 1920s and early the feeling of togetherness. At the because of its total defeat and the 1930s, Tübingen Jews were insulted same time, the “Volksgemeinschaft” millions of casualties. The fates of and became victims of violence; some excluded those who did not fi t the former Jewish citizens and other local businesses owned by Jews were Nazi Weltanschauung: Jews, political victim groups were largely ignored. It boycotted. In the 1932 Reichstag enemies such as democrats or com- was not until the 1960s/1970s that elections, the Nationalsozialistische munists, Sinti and Roma, or the individuals and grassroots organiza- Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National mentally ill and physically disabled. tions began to critically examine Socialist German Workers’ Party, The Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen’s recent history. NSDAP) received 40 per cent of the boasted about being “Jew-free” popular vote in Tübingen. already in 1933. Tübingen University Select Bibliography After the National Socialists seized housed several faculties which scienti- Binder, Hans-Otto / Ulmer, Martin / power on January 30, 1933, Tübingen fi cally underpinned Nazi ideology; its Rathe, Daniela / Röck, Uta (eds.), quickly became “gleichgeschaltet” outreach was not only regional but Vom braunen Hemd zur weißen (forcibly coordinated along the lines also national. Moreover, a number of Weste? Vom Umgang mit der Ver- of Nazi ideology). In the March 5, high-ranking Tübingen National gangenheit in Tübingen nach 1945 1933 Reichstag parliamentary elec- Socialists directly participated in the (Tübingen 2011). tions, the NSDAP and its right-wing Holocaust and other war crimes. Most Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen coalition partner received 62 per cent of these perpetrators had studied in e.V. (ed.), Zerstörte Demokratie. of the popular vote in Tübingen (in Tübingen and started their SA or SS Zwangsweise ausgeschiedene Tü- the whole German Reich, they gained careers there. One of them, Theodor binger Stadträte 1933. Eine Doku- about 50 per cent). On March 9, Dannecker (1913–1945), became mentation (Tübingen 2013). National Socialists raised the swastika Adolf Eichmann’s right hand and was Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen e.V. fl ag on both the Neue Aula (the primarily responsible for the deporta- (ed.), Zerstörte Hoffnungen. Wege university’s main auditorium) and tion of about 476,000 Jews from der Tübinger Juden (Stuttgart Tübingen city hall, thereby signaling several European countries. Another 1995). the Nazi takeover of both university one, Ernst Weinmann (1907–1947), Seidel, Ernst (ed.), Forschung – Lehre and town. By late March, the Tübin- became Tübingen’s youngest lord – Unrecht: Die Universität Tübingen gen city council was forcibly coordina- mayor, served as an SS offi cer in im Nationalsozialismus (Tübingen ted and consisted only of NSDAP occupied Serbia during the war, and 2015). members; Social Democrats, Commu- was afterwards sentenced to death as Schönhagen, Benigna (ed.), Natio- nists, and other political enemies were a war criminal in Belgrade. nalsozialismus in Tübingen. Vorbei persecuted and incarcerated in Tübingen’s Jewish community und Vergessen. Katalog der Ausstel- concentration camps while all political numbered 101 members in 1933. By lung (Tübingen 1992). parties except the NSDAP were 1939, all Jewish-owned businesses Schönhagen, Benigna, Tübingen outlawed by the summer of 1933. On had been forcibly “aryanized.” At the unterm Hakenkreuz. Eine Universi- April 1, 1933, SA stormtroopers led end of World War II in 1945, over 20 tätsstadt in der Zeit des Nationalso- the boycott of Jewish-owned busi- Tübingen Jews had perished during zialismus (Stuttgart 1991). nesses. In May 1933, the Tübingen the Shoah; most of the others had Wiesing, Urban / Brintzinger, Klaus- city council was the fi rst in the found refuge in the United States or Rainer / Grün, Bernd / Junginger, German Reich to put a so-called Mandatory Palestine. In Tübingen’s Horst / Michl, Susanne (eds.), Die “Freibadbeschluss” into action, university hospitals, several hundred Universität Tübingen im National- thereby banning Jewish citizens from persons who did not fi t the Nazi world sozialismus (Stuttgart 2010). visiting the public outdoor swimming view were forcibly sterilized between Zapf, Lilli, Die Tübinger Juden (Tübin- pool (Freibad). 1934 and 1944. During World War II, gen 1974). The National Socialist “Volksge- over 1,700 forced laborers from meinschaft” (“people’s community”) Nazi-occupied European countries had

36 The History Path to National Socialism

The Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen e.V. (Tübingen History Workshop) was founded in the mid-1980s as a grassroots organization with the aim to research Tübingen’s recent local history. One of the latest Geschichts- werkstatt projects is the Geschichts- pfad zum Nationalsozialismus (Hi- story Path to National Socialism). The History Path’s goal is to inform not only local citizens but also Tübingen’s many visitors about the city’s history during the Nazi era. The City of Tübingen was involved in realizing and fi nancing the History Path. The concept and texts were devised by the Geschichtspfad working group, which consisted of members of the Geschichtswerkstatt, the Arbeitskreis Universität Tübingen im Nationalsozialismus (“Tübingen In front of Tübingen city hall, Monika Schober, a member of the Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen, University during National Socialism” gives a tour of the History Path to National Socialism at its inauguration on May 8, 2016. working group), the Jugendguides (Courtesy Benedict von Bremen) (youth guides), the Jugendgemeinde- rat (youth municipal council), and the City of Tübingen’s Fachbereich Kunst und Kultur (municipal offi ce of cultural affairs). Braun Engels Gestal- tung conceptualized and realized the graphic design of the History Path. The Geschichtspfad was inaugurated on May 8, 2016. The Tübingen History Path is one of the few of its kind in Germany. The History Path to National Socialism takes visitors to 16 historical places from the Nazi era in Tübingen’s inner city. Each of the stations – which are columns made of steel – provides information on the history of a respective place. Together, they serve as a sort of permanent exhibition, pre- serving and presenting the traces of both the perpetrators and the victims. The History Path is not organized in Youth guides from various member associations of the Gedenkstättenverbund Gäu-Neckar-Alb any specifi c order; each column stands gather in front of the History Path stele at the former Tübingen Gestapo headquarters on May 6, on its own. It is possible – but not 2017. (Courtesy Benedict von Bremen) mandatory – to start at the Former Synagogue Square Memorial in pretrator – Theodor Dannecker – City Hall: Destroying the Municipal Gartenstraße 33. – Corner of Holzmarkt and Neue Democracy Straße: An Example for “Aryaniza- – Löwen Hall: Meeting Place of The stations are: tion” - The Oppenheim and Schäfer Tübingen’s Labor Movement – Gartenstraße 33: Synagogue Square Families’ Clothing Store – Psychiatric Hospital: Forced Sterili- Memorial – Münzgasse 13: Police and Persecu- zations during National Socialism / – Youth Hostel: Headquarters of the tion during National Socialism Forced Labor in Tübingen City and Hitler Youth – Hohentübingen Castle: Science and the University – Bursagasse 18/4: A Holocaust Per- Crime during National Socialism – Neue Aula: Tübingen University du-

37 ring National Socialism / Excluding In late March 1933, during the phase Jewish Students of National Socialist “Gleichschal- – Wilhemstraße 24: NSDAP Kreislei- tung” (forced coordination), he tung (District Leadership) resigned from his political post in – Silcher Memorial: National Socialist order to elude imminent attacks by Appropriation of the Arts Nazis in the Tübingen town council. – Uhlandstraße 15: The Hayum Fami- On April 1, 1933, brown-shirt ly – Committed to Democracy and stormtroopers from the “Sturmabtei- Welfare lung” (“Storm Detachment,” SA) – Corner of Karlstraße and Uhland- prevented clients from entering straße: Anti-Semitism before 1933 / Hayum’s law fi rm, which was followed Albert Weil – Cutting-Edge Publis- by a creeping boycott. On the streets, her of the Tübinger Chronik the once-esteemed lawyer and former – Schellingstraße 2: The Wehrmacht local politician was mostly ignored by in Tübingen his fellow citizens. Simon and Hermine – Freight Depot: Prisoners of War and Hayum avoided visiting concerts, Forced Labor Simon and Hermine Hayum in their garden, restaurants, and theaters in order to 1938. One reason for Hermine Hayum’s evade insults. After the pogrom of An example for the Tübingen Histo- involvement in charity work was her Jewish November 9, 1938 (“Crystal Night”), ry Path to National Socialism is the faith. The Hayum household was well-known the couple prepared its escape to the column at Uhlandstraße 15: among Tübingen‘s poor and homeless. A soup USA, following their children who had kitchen was set up in the ironing chamber of already immigrated there. The Hayums The Hayum Family – Committed to Uhlandstraße 15 each winter. After the Nazis had to sell their house well below came to power in 1933, Jewish charity work Democracy and Welfare worth to the City of Tübingen. Simon became undesirable in the eyes of the authorities. From 1905 on, Simon Hayum (1867– Hayum died in 1948 in Cleveland, (Courtesy Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen e.V.) 1948), his wife Hermine (1875–1967), Ohio; Hermine Hayum passed away in and their fi ve children lived in Uh- law, and was involved in the left-of- 1967 in Newark, New Jersey. landstraße 15. Here, lawyer and local center Volkspartei (People’s Party) politician Simon Hayum operated the during the time of the German Further Information largest law fi rm in Tübingen. Hermine Empire. From 1908 to 1912 he was The English translation of the Hi- Hayum was engaged in voluntary chairman of the Tübingen Bürgeraus- story Path, complete with pictures, social welfare work. The Hayums re- schuss (citizens’ committee). In the can be found online on the City of present a generation of Jewish citizens 1920s, he was Stadtrat (city councilor) Tübingen’s offi cial website: whose livelihood was destroyed by for the Deutsche Demokratische https://www.tuebingen.de/en/3327. National Socialist Germany. Partei (German Democratic Party, html Simon Hayum was born into the DDP) and, from 1928 on, that party’s The Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen humble circumstances of a rural chairman. In the Gemeinderat (town offers English city tours and can be Jewish family. He successfully rose on council), Hayum was a proponent of contacted via info@geschichtswerk- the social ladder, obtained a Ph.D. in citizen-friendly and pragmatic policies. statt-tuebingen.de.

Wege der Tübinger Juden: Now Available on DVD with English Subtitles

In 2004, the movie Wege der Tü- English subtitles (translation: Benedict binger Juden – Eine Spurensuche von Bremen) and was digitized by the (“Paths of Tübingen Jews: A Search University of Tübingen‘s Center for for Traces”) was published. It is based Media Competence3 in 2018. on interviews conducted by members of the Geschichtswerkstatt Tübin- Wege der Tübinger Juden is avail- gen e.V.1 in Tübingen, Israel, and able on DVD in German with English the United States between 1999 and subtitles from the Geschichtswerkstatt 2001. In the movie, former Tübin- Tübingen (info@geschichtswerkstatt- gen Jews tell personal stories about tuebingen.de) for Euro 10 plus post their childhood years in Tübingen, & packaging (in Germany: Euro 1,95; the experience of being discriminated international orders: Euro 16,50). against under Nazi rule, and how they escaped and started a new life ab- road. Many of the interviewees have legacy for future generations. Thanks 1 http://english.geschichtswerkstatt-tuebingen.de 2 https://www.tuebingen.de/en/ since passed away, but the movie to generous fi nancial support from the 3 https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/facilities/central-institu- Paths of Tübingen Jews remains their City of Tübingen2, the movie received tions/the-center-for-media-competence/

38 November 9, 2019 Tübingen. Speech by Rabbi Ari Silbermann

In November 2019, the Geschichts- of such a place is no longer, there is German only. They petitioned the city werkstatt Tübingen e.V. invited certainly a specialness which comes to be allowed to return to the city, Martin Silbermann (Jerusalem) and with being here. they built businesses and lives, his son Rabbi Ari Silbermann (Man- Since my family was instrumental in integrated into society here. Many of chester, UK) to Tübingen. The Silber- building this synagogue, prayed here them served for Germany in the Great manns are descendants of the Hirsch and held celebrations here, this place War. However, all of this ended with family. In 1850, Leopold Hirsch carries great meaning and a sense of Dachau and similar camps. My (1807-1875) was the fi rst Jew to belonging. Indeed, this feeling for great-Grandfather, Leopold Hirsch3, receive the Tübingen citizenship; the connection is basic to our human refused to leave Germany because of textile business founded by him was nature and is one of the reasons why his belief that they would not truly operated by three generations until its narratives in Bereishit (Genesis), which expel loyal Jewish citizens. However, forced “aryanization” in 1938. we are currently reading during these all of this ended on Kristallnacht, On November 9, 2019, 81 years sabbaths contain long genealogical when he, along with other Jews were after the Night of Broken Glass, Rabbi lists. We all seek out our connection taken to Dachau. He was released Ari Silbermann gave the following to our families, to our past, and seek two weeks later, probably along with speech 1 at the Former Synagogue out to understand where which towns other WWI veterans and given 24 Square Memorial in Tübingen: and families we came from. hours to leave Germany – which he On the other hand, I am ambivalent did. Unfortunately his brother Arthur because this place is the last memorial Hirsch4 did not make it out of Dachau. “Good evening, for the small community of Tübingen. His sister, Paula5, also did not manage Firstly, I wish to thank all of the There is no synagogue here and there to leave Germany, perhaps because organisers for this commemoration are no Jews. This place is bound to she could not receive a visa. She was and for inviting my father and I to the destruction of European Jewry, deported with her son Erich6 to Riga attend. I wish to share with you some the destruction of entire cultures and and murdered. My father, who is here thoughts at this point. Firstly what ways of life. For this reason, I have tonight, never recalls hearing about this place means for me and how nothing to do with this place anymore any of this, and we only know it that is relevant for my relationship to except to commemorate the destruc- because of the work of Lilli Zapf 7 and Germany as a whole. Secondly, I hope tion and mourn what was lost—both also new information provided us by to commemorate the victims of Shoah by my family and my people. I would the Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen. and consider what it means for us. add that it is also a place of mourning My Grandmother, Laura Silbermann, Thirdly, I will mention the lessons that for all of Western civilization. This never spoke of Germany again, and this place bears for us today. place represents, for my generation, burnt all of her possessions that grandparents who were traumatized, related to Germany. Perhaps a testa- What does this place mean for me: families that were small, stories of ment to her feeling of being let This is the site of the synagogue of heroism and stories of tragedy. down—testament to broken dreams. the Tübingen Jewish community, or This place, therefore, has a strange The trauma of this entire period, for in Yiddish we would call it a shul. feeling about it and in many ways much of the Jewish people today, is Tübingen was a small Jewish commu- describes my connection to Germany. still being felt. nity, which does not feature promi- On one hand I want to draw closer to I would also like to commemorate nently in Jewish history. It had existed it, learn about it and spend time here however, the survivors of this tragedy. for a time in the Middle-Ages until and on the other hand I wish to be In spite of everything that occurred, the expulsion of the Jews. When the nowhere near it, have nothing to do my people, as has been their way Nazis came to power it was a young with it. throughout history, have managed to community, not even 100 years old. I would now like to mention a word thrive once more, rebuilt lives for Apart from the Judengasse, there are about my family, my people and the themselves and built up a state of no remnants of the earlier community. Shoah. My family from Tübingen, their own. Whether it be in South This place which was a synagogue represents what were early attempts, is all that remains. My great-great- after enlightenment, to assimilate into 1 Explanations in footnotes by Benedict von Bremen. grandfather was instrumental in German society, and strike down 2 Jewish religious law. building it and although it is not stan- roots. The tombstones at the cemete- 3 Leopold Hirsch (1876–1966), son of Gustav Hirsch (1848–1933) and grandson of Leopold Hirsch ding, to a discerning Jewish eye there ry up the road in Wankheim testify to (1807–1875). are some elements that can still be this process—they begin in Hebrew, 4 1886–1938. 5 1897–1942. detected. Although perhaps the dry move to a mix of German and He- 6 1924–1942. halacha2 would say that the holiness brew and some of the later ones are 7 Lilli Zapf, Die Tübinger Juden (Tübingen 1974).

39 On November 10, 2019, Martin and Ari Silbermann visited the grave of their ancestor Leopold Hirsch (1807-1875), the fi rst Jew to receive Tübingen citizenship, in the Wankheim Jewish cemetery. (Courtesy Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen e.V.)

Africa or Australia, the United States not mention the fact that as a Jew, I ty and in arranging for this visit. On or Europe, Jews everywhere have no longer feel safe on the streets of this visit, as in previous visits to managed to rebuild shattered lives, Europe. Just 71 years after that fateful Germany for work or study, I have raise families and live lives of mea- night, when Jewish synagogues were been taken aback by the welcome I ning. However, the greatest witness set ablaze, their dreams dashed, their have received. Particularly here but to Jewish heroism is the building of worlds collapsed. Just 71 years after also at other academic conferences, the modern State of Israel. To be sure, the wholesale slaughter of Europe’s the organisers go out of their way to this began before the Shoah, but Jews, our synagogues have high walls ensure that we have Kosher food and survivors who made it to the Holy and armed guards – not only in can observe the Sabbath. This is not Land played important roles in its Europe but in places like Australia and the case in other countries and is success. I am proud to stand before the United States. Unfortunately, in perhaps just a small example of the you as an Israeli, who has taken part Germany itself, we have witnessed attempts by average Germans to do in the miracle that is the State of Israel terrible events in the last weeks.8 their utmost for us to feel at home and as a Jew who devotes his life to Sadly, it seems that the lessons of the and to rebuild bridges. Jewish education and community. As Shoah have not been learned and My prayer for the future is conti- my people have always known, the have been forgotten. This is true for nued success of the Jewish people and greatest most long lasting monuments my people as it is for other minorities German people and lasting bonds of are not made from stone or buildings and victims of such attacks. However, mutual support.” but are those that change the hearts only Jews have to pass through high of men and women. I am a Rabbi and walls and security to enter their a bearer of the tradition of my people schools and synagogues, and only – a people who never sought great- Jews walk without identifying marks ness in empire, and does not do so in the streets of Berlin. now either, but always sougth To end, I wish to thank the city of integrity and greatness in the life Tübingen and the Geschichtswerkstatt of the spirit. Tübingen for their assistance in To end, it would be remiss of me to commemorating the Jewish communi- 8 The October 9, 2019 synagogue shooting in Halle.

40 Jewish Rottweil: Places and People Angelika Braun, Rottweil. Translated by Benedict von Bremen

In Rottweil, the former free impe- supplier, and intermediary in times of In the second half of the 19th rial city on the upper Neckar river, war. He acquired great prestige by century, a grandson of Moses Katz numerous places in the city center organizing the sale of silver objects held an important position in and elsewhere are connected to and thus raising the necessary funds to Rottweil’s local life: in 1851, physician Jewish life. There, Jewish citizens save the city from devastation by Dr. Meyer Rothschild (1813–1884) lived their religion and culture, were Napoleon’s troops. Still, the magistrate became editor of the Rottweiler business people, and actively parti- did not grant him the right to settle in Anzeiger (Rottweil Gazette). Its cipated in the city’s public life. Civic the imperial city. It was only with the printing offi ce and publishing house and commercial buildings in the city Peace of Lunéville in 1801, when the were located at Friedrichsplatz no. 16, center once owned by Jews bear former free imperial city became part an imposing estate which had once testimony to Rottweil’s second Jewish of the duchy of Württemberg under been a monastery courtyard of the community which was only able to Duke Frederick II of Württemberg as Benedictine Saint Blaise Abbey in St. develop after the Napoleonic Wars, territorial lord, that Moses Katz Blasien in the Black Forest. The corner the subsequent reorganization of the received the right to settle in Rottweil. building bordered on Lorenzgasse, the German empire, and the assumption He acquired the representative former location of the medieval of power by the duke (and later king) residential and commercial building Jewish quarter. On May 14, 1851, the of Württemberg. no. 29 on Obere Hauptstraße (upper Rottweiler Anzeiger, later renamed In the beginning, there was Moses main street) near town hall. On the Schwarzwälder Bürger-Zeitung (Black Katz (1750–1829) from Mühringen. top fl oor, he set up a prayer room Forest Citizens’ Newspaper), adverti- Katz had acquired a handsome which served Rottweil’s Jews as a sed itself as going to present “the fortune as a moneylender, army place of meeting and worship until the political and social conditions of the purchase of the present day outspokenly, dispassiona- building in tely, ‘without fear and without hate’” Kameralamtsgas- as well as to publish offi cial and se. Completely private advertisements.2 Meyer impoverished due Rothschild’s descendants continued to bankruptcy, operating the printing press and publi- Katz died in shing house until the National Socia- January 1829. lists came to power and stripped the Until the begin- newspaper of its status as an offi cial ning of the 20th gazette; eventually, following further century the house measures to exclude Jewish journa- remained in the lists, the economic basis of the possession of publishing house was completely descendants of taken away. In May 1934, brothers Moses Katz.1 Ernst and Wilhelm Rothschild an- nounced that the Schwarzwälder Bürger-Zeitung would have to cease publication. Although the Rothschilds continued to run their commercial printing business, its economic return was low and Wilhelm Rothschild moved with his family to Stuttgart. He Moses Katz acquired was incarcerated in Dachau concen- the residential and tration camp from November 9 to commercial building December 20, 1938 and then fl ed via in Obere Hauptstraße England to the United States. Ernst No. 29 at the begin- Rothschild moved to Basel, his wife’s ning of the 19th cen- home town; from there, he immigra- tury. The building also housed a prayer room in which Jewish fami- 1 Emily C.Rose, Als Moises Katz seine Stadt vor Na- lies gathered for services poleon rettete. Meiner jüdischen Geschichte auf der until the establishment Spur (Stuttgart 1999). 2 Gisela Roming, Jüdisches Rottweil 1798–1938. of the synagogue in the Entstehung – Entwicklung – Vernichtung (Rottweil Kameralamtsgasse. 2018), p. 42.

41 ted to the United States at the end of World War II. In 1811, half of the house at Hochbrücktorstraße no. 17, with the Zum goldenen Becher (Golden Cup Inn), belonged to Jewish merchant Abraham Bernstein (1773–1839); in 1828, the entire estate came into his possession. In a 2012 essay, Winfried Hecht characterized Bernstein as a “skillful businessman” who, in addition to being an inn keeper, was also trading wine and other alcoholic beverages as well as, later on, tex- tiles.3 Furthermore, he was also a moneylender and thus made a large fortune. He was the richest among Rottweil’s Jews. Bernstein was held in great esteem by the Jewish communi- ty because he had been, together with Moses Katz, one of the founding fathers of the Rottweil branch of the Mühringen congregation. Abraham Bernheim died in 1839 without having obtained complete Rottweil citizen- ship. It were his descendants who acquired it and who held important The building at Friedrichsplatz no. 16 housed the printing press and the publishing house of Meyer positions both in the city’s commercial Rothschild. The Schwarzwälder Bürger-Zeitung was produced here until May 1934. life and in the local Jewish community. The Becher as a meeting place was an important institution. It is said that the “rabbi” (that is, the Jewish teacher On the left: In and cantor), the Catholic pastor, and House no. 17 in the Protestant pastor shared a com- Hochbrückenstraße mon regulars’ table at the Becher. with the restaurant Until 1931, the building housed a ”Zum goldenen bank of the Bernheim-Adler family. Becher“ was Abra- On October 26, 1860, an early 19th ham Bernheim‘s century two-story building on the residential, com- corner of Johannsergasse and Kame- mercial, and bank ralamtsgasse was sold to fi ve mem- building. The bers of Rottweil’s Jewish community. restaurant was also They converted the house to accom- an important social meeting place. modate a synagogue, a school, and a Right: Detail of teacher’s apartment and then sold it the richly decorated 3 Winfried Hecht, “Das Rottweiler Bankhaus A. oriel window of the Bernheim zum Becher (Teil 1),” in: Gedenkstätten- restaurant. Rundschau No. 9 (November 2012), pp. 7–11.

42 On the left: The building on the corner Johannsergasse/Kameral- amtsgasse housed the synagogue from 1860 until November 1938. Right: Wall painting still pre- served in the rooms of the former synagogue. to the Israelite congregation. The branch congregation now had a worthy seat until the 20th century. But that era came to an end already in 1933 when longtime cantor Max Straßburger (1872–1938) was so- lemnly bid farewell. The fi nal end of Rottweil’s Jewish community came in 1938. On the evening of November 10, SA stormtroopers forcibly entered the synagogue, threw religious objects and interior decoration onto the street, and set everything ablaze. The plaques of honor for the Jewish participants of World War I were also The Jewish cemetery in Rottweil is located at Hoferstraße. In contrast to usual practice, the cemetery destroyed. Inside the synagogue, part regulations required gravestones of uniform shape an size lying fl at on the ground. of the wall painting has been preser- ved, the most valuable part of which elsewhere, and as a replacement for this memory alive in the consciousness is still visible on the eastern wall illegible grave inscriptions, a large of modern-day Rottweil citizens; where the Torah shrine was once memorial stone with the names of moreover, we take care of the places located. After the Night of Broken Rottweil Jews was erected opposite of remembrance. On the basis of local Glass, the remaining Jewish citizens the graveyard’s entrance in 1967. and regional Jewish history, we would left their home town. The new Israelite Congregation of like to impart knowledge about When Jews took up residence in Rottweil4 refused to have “Stolper- Judaism. We also maintain contact Rottweil, their deceased were buried steine” (stumbling stones) laid in with former Jewish inhabitants, their in the Jewish cemetery in Mühringen; memory of their fellow believers who descendants, and their relatives. In Benjamin Bernheim found his fi nal had been murdered during National addition, we cooperate with the resting place in Hechingen. In the Socialism. Instead, the city of Rottweil Jewish Community of Rottweil/ course of the congregation’s evolution, erected a stele with the names of Villingen-Schwenningen. the desire for a burial place of their these Jewish fellow citizens on a fi eld own in Rottweil itself grew. Finally, a of trees at the edge of the city center. Photos: Verein Ehemalige Synagoge Jewish graveyard was established in The new synagogue is located not far Rottweil e.V. 1850, not far from the town cemetery. from there. Contact – Web: www.ehemalige- In contrast to usual practice, the In 2013, the Verein Ehemalige synagoge-rottweil.de cemetery regulations demanded Synagoge Rottweil e.V. (Former Email: Ehem.Synagoge-RW-eV@t- gravestones of uniform shape and size Rottweil Synagogue Association) was online.de lying fl at on the ground. To comme- founded. We see our task in resear- 4 www.zentralratderjuden.de/vor-ort/landesver- morate those who, like Moses Katz, ching the Jewish history of Rottweil baende/key//israelitische-kultusgemeinde-rottweil- had been buried in Mühringen or and its vicinity as well as in keeping villingen-schwennigen-kdoer/

43 Remembering Löwenstein, Pausa, Bauhaus In 2009, had seventy-three years passed since the Löwensteins were forced to leave Mössingen. In 2019, the Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein was founded.

Irene Scherer and Welf Schröter, Mössingen

In July 2009, eight members of the It took us three weeks to prepare Löwenstein family, which had been our fi rst letter. It should be honest, exiled seventy-three years ago, made serious and invitating. We knew how their fi rst visit (back) to Mössingen. important this fi rst approach was and On July 23, 2009, we agreed to that eventually it would hurt too initiate the project ”Pausa – Artur much. Their fi rst reaction gave us and Felix Löwenstein – Bauhaus – hope. Harold Livingston wrote: “I’m Adolph Lowe“. This step, initiated pleased to learn that the city of by the Löwenstein-Forschungsverein Mössingen will conserve the work of (Löwenstein Research Association), my father and uncle for the future.” was the beginning of an international From his second long autobiographic effort that is to study, among other report we understood that past times things, the signifi cance of the Bau- still were quite present for him. He haus production site in Mössingen in wrote: “The Nazis could not manage the 1920s and 1930s. This effort is to kill me.” An important remark. supported by numerous family mem- After fi rst letters, e-mails and phone bers, partners from outside the region calls we decided on the following and, especially, dedicated citizens of procedure: before people of the Mössingen. Löwenstein family would travel to Mössingen, we felt we should see Irene Scherer, Löwenstein Research them at their homes. There we Association Mössingen (excerpt from planned to deliver personally the her speech, July 22, 2009) offi cial invitation. The fi rst meeting There are facts in this world on which was very touching. Many in detail a fi ne person cannot have different going conversations took place and opinions. This wellknown sentence lots of memories of their childhood, Artur Löwenstein with his son Helmut (Ha- of the philosopher Ernst Bloch proves rold) in front of the Peter-and-Pauls-Church some rests of the Swabian idiom most meaningful today and at this in Mössingen in 1926. (© Private Photo / returned. We asked Doris Angel at the place. We came here to recall toge- Löwenstein Research Association) end how she feels about visiting ther and in public what happened so Mössingen. She answered: “For me many years ago. We want to honour fronted with a long lasting and most this is coming home.” four personalities, Felix and Helene diffi cult and detailed task of research. Dear Doris, dear Harold, 73 years Löwenstein as well as Artur and Flora […] We want to make an effort that have passed since you were forced to Löwenstein, whose traces disappeared historical inheritance becomes known leave Mössingen and Stuttgart at the out of the history of Mössingen. We and is dealt with. With carefulness age of 12 and 13. It was a sad parting are here to open our mouths on the and delicacy the members want to which destroyed your way of life, subject of crime and injustice which talk and get in touch with people and interrupted friendship and dispos- has continued until now. We are here facts. […] Mössingen is planning to sessed your fathers’ work. Today, so to fi nally shake hands with those establish a place of remembrance of many years later we start to under- who some decades ago were chased the brothers Löwenstein. The associa- stand more clearly the achievements away and threatened with hatred. tion will try to look for and fi nd of your fathers. The appreciation of We like to establish the story of the ancestors and living members of the Artur and Felix, Helene and Flora Löwensteins as a defi nite part of the Löwenstein family. They should be Löwenstein is no longer a question of history as well as our future acting in invited for a stay at Mössingen. The secret talk. It has turned into a public Mössingen. This year 2009 for several history of the PAUSA and the history and offi cial matter. […] reasons seems to be the right moment of the Löwensteins are part of the In this year 2009 we look back on because 50 years ago in 1959 Artur history of Mössingen. We want to 90 years since the PAUSA was foun- Löwenstein died. […] carry on this idea into our future as ded. The foundation of the “Bau- When in September 2007 about a reality. […] It took almost two years haus” took place at the same time in dozen people of Mössingen and before we luckily found Doris Angel in 1919. The PAUSA was closely con- surroundings founded the Löwenstein Manchester and Harold Livingston in nected with the “Bauhaus”. There Research Association we were con- London. were letters going back and forth of

44 Felix and Artur Löwenstein with that had defi ned the Jewish people as Walter Gropius who initiated the new different. We considered ourselves as artistic concept in Weimar and German fi rst and foremost. My father Dessau. In addition the artist Ljuba Felix Löwenstein served for fi ve years Monastirskaja, one of the great in the German army during the First “Bauhaus” women in the fi eld of World War, much of the time in Flan- design, represented the “Bauhaus” ders. My Mother, Leni Rieser, trained ideas in Mössingen from 1929 to as a nurse on the outbreak of war, 1932. She had participated in the and worked in the Jewish hospital renowned weaving class in Dessau in throughout. Leni was the best friend 1927. Her colleague in this class Otti of Bea, Felix’s sister. Felix and Leni Berger was murdered in Auschwitz in became engaged at some point duri- 1944. ng the war and were married when he While visiting in Manchester some returned to Stuttgart. […] When I was weeks ago we were able to see nine, in 1933, Hitler came to power. original material from the PAUSA He defi ned the Jews, amongst others, production before 1933, all infl uenced as being an underclass: My life chan- by the “Bauhaus” art. We can be sure ged. The girl whom I had thought of about the close cooperation between as my friend, whom I had sat next PAUSA and “Bauhaus” before 1933. to for three years, complained to the Walter Gropius initiated a presentati- teacher that I smelt. I was moved to on of PAUSA fabrics at the world sit on my own. Jews were no longer exhibition in Paris in May 1930. This allowed to employ help in the house Helene and Felix Löwenstein, co-founders of the tradition should be continued. and the factory was facing hard times, textile company Pausa, in 1919. (© Private […] The PAUSA library which still so my family moved to a smaller fl at Photo / Löwenstein Research Association) exists partly owns a book by the title at the top of the same building. Jews “German Handicraft 1927”. Felix were not allowed to go to the theatre Due to infl ation and other diffi culties Löwenstein wrote his name in it. In or concerts any more or even to play in business, however, the Stuttgart the preface we read: “The main duty in the park. In 1936 teachers at the offi ce closed and after that Artur and of our time is to produce by machine- school told my parents that they could Felix travelled to Mössingen every ry unexpensively, for everybody (mass not protect me against prejudice and Monday morning, returning Saturday production). In order to do so you bullying any longer and they advised lunchtime, usually by train. need a handicraft model.” In this way that I should be taken out of school. My father used to travel in Europe the PAUSA followed exactly the My parents kept me at home, I played and to the USA to sell Pausa products. necessities of the time. It is up to us to with my cousin Harold – and missed My mother travelled with him to carry on and develop the inheritance out on two terms of education – until Spain and to the USA, since she spoke of the Löwensteins. We are responsi- we were able to leave Germany. […] English, whereas he did not. At these ble to present their activity and In 1919 Felix and his brother Artur times our grandparents looked after creativity to our young generation of had founded a textile company us. During the holidays I took it in the 21th century. This includes named ‘Pausa’ in the town of Mössin- turns with my brother Roger and engagement against any old and new gen, fi fty miles from Stuttgart. They cousin Harold to visit Mössingen antijewish activities. Let us be curious developed it into a world-renowned because there was only one spare and see how this will work in the manufacturer of modern fabrics for bed. I think I was a nuisance. I loved future. Let us start on this project. the interior design industries, introdu- wandering there, especially in the cing the Bauhaus style into their spinning shed. I tried to copy what Doris Angel, daughter of Helene and woven and printed fabrics. Its reputa- the women were doing with the Felix Löwenstein (excerpt from her tion was confi rmed by a commendati- spindles. They always had to re-do it! article in: Artur und Felix Löwenstein, on received at the World Fair in Barce- I loved the paints, the colours and the edited by Irene Scherer, Welf Schrö- lona in 1929. Bauhaus was a social printing tables. I was shooed out of ter, Klaus Ferstl, Mössingen 2013. movement as well as an artistic the weaving shed because the wor- I was born in 1924 in the city of approach - and it was forbidden by kers were afraid I would get under the Stuttgart. The youngest of three the Nazis. machinery and hurt myself. They much-loved children, I lived in a I recall that in the early years there encouraged me instead to play with big house on Staffl enbergstrasse, was an offi ce and showroom in the children in the village. our family on the ground fl oor, our Stuttgart. I have a childhood memory When Hitler fi rst came to power grandparents on the top and cousins of visiting and seeing many curtains there was some resistance. One in the middle. Our family was Jewish hanging down. Initially there had worker in Mössingen, a member of but non-observant, assimilated. We been a manager in Mössingen and the communist party, climbed the tall had dropped many of the practices Felix would only go there periodically. chimney of my father’s factory and

45 of the visit we took our own Pausa tablecloths to show the people there. Members of the Löwenstein Research Association showed us around the old factory premises and we saw tens of thousands of rolls of cloth. We were pleased to hear of plans to open a textile museum in Mössingen at some time in the future. We attended a reception in the new library, where dignitaries from the State Government of Baden-Württ- emberg spoke of the importance of remembering the Holocaust, the Jews and their contribution to Germany. Later we were invited to offi cially dedicate Löwensteinplatz. We look forward to visiting again in June 2013 to attend a play about Pausa and to renew our friendships in the town. The Pausa factory and Löwenstein- platz are now on the map as part of a web of memorials to the Jewish Irene Scherer, chairwoman of Löwenstein Research Association, handed over the new book “Artur contribution to the region. This is and Felix Löwenstein” to Doris Angel, daughter of Helene and Felix Löwenstein, in Mössingen particularly important because it is in 2013. In the background District Administrator Joachim Walter and Harold Livingston, son of clear that all members of the Mössin- Flora and Artur Löwenstein. (© Private Photo / Löwenstein Research Association) gen town council voted for this dedication, whether they were from put a Hammer and Sickle fl ag at the Baden-Württemberg State Centre for the left or right of the political spec- top of it. The Nazis wanted it down, Civic Education – the same Centre trum. To the best of my knowledge but none of them was brave enough which coincidentally was based in the my family and the young women who to climb the chimney – so they house in which we had lived!! They came from Bauhaus were the only ordered my father Felix to stoke the presented us with an invitation to Jews to work in Mössingen, but it is fi res in the factory and create so much Mössingen from the Lord Mayor and important that their work, which was heat that the fl ag would burn. In the members of the Mössingen town curtailed only because of Nazi policies, 1933 there was a general strike and council, who invited me and my is remembered as part of the history workers at Pausa asked if they could cousin Harold to visit. Harold was the of the town. join a protest march against the Nazis. same cousin with whom I had played My father agreed. Many people were in 1936, when we could no longer Harold Livingston, son of Flora and arrested. The only other factory in attend school in Stuttgart. Artur Löwenstein (excerpt from his Mössingen locked their workers in During a successful and moving trip article in: Artur und Felix Löwen- and did not permit them to protest. in July 2009, where trust and mutual stein, edited by Irene Scherer, Welf Nazi laws limited Jewish people in respect were nurtured between the Schröter, Klaus Ferstl. Mössingen what they could do and we were not citizens of Mössingen and the Löwen- 2013.) able to do business with non-Jews. As stein family, we were told of an As I was born in November 1923, I a consequence my father’s fi rm could exciting plan to honour our fathers’ was not even 10 years old when Hitler no longer operate and in 1936 he was memory with a permanent memorial: came to power, and therefore my me- forced to sell it to non-Jews. […] one of the Old Pausa factory buildings mory of what happened to me, and to In 2008, I was very surprised to would be re-developed as a municipal us as a family, is probably incomplete. receive a letter from the “Löwenstein library and centre for social services. It For the same reason my memories are Research Association.” This turned would be built on a new town square not necessarily in chronological order. out to be a group of German citizens – to be called Löwensteinplatz, in I must also mention that of course my who wanted to honour the contributi- honour of Felix and Artur’s contributi- sister Lilo (Ronnie and Anita’s mother) on that Felix and Artur had made to on to the town. I felt surprised and was very much part of most of this. their town – Mössingen. Representa- delighted that the value of their work Unfortunately she died at the rela- tives of this association, Welf Schroe- had been recognised in Mössingen. tively young age of 62, from cancer. ter, Irene Scherer and Klaus Ferstl In February 2012 Harold and I, […] travelled to England and explained accompanied by 10 members of our After a lot of searching, a cousin of how they had traced me through the family, returned to Mössingen. As part my mother, who was already in

46 England found us a guarantor enabling us to come over to the UK. No easy immigration in those days, somebody had to guarantee that immigrants would not be a burden on the state. So we arrived in London on 3rd March 1939. and moved in with that cousin, who’s name used to be Fritz Loewenhaupt, the second name being the name of my Urgrossmutter, who lived in Kitzingen, and who we often visited when we where still in Germany. […] I went to Harrow Polytechnic School, to try to acquire some English exams, including physics, chemistry, math, and English of course. That polytechnic became a university after the war, and is now known as West- minster University. However, after a while I wasn’t allowed to attend there any more, because as Germans we were all classifi ed as “Enemy Aliens”, never mind that the fact we were District Administrator Joachim Walter with Doris Angel, daughter of Helene and Felix Löwen- Jewish and, therefore, more against stein, and Harold Livingston, son of Flora and Artur Löwenstein, in Mössingen in 2011. Hitler than anybody else. The reason (© Private Photo / Löwenstein Research Association) we were given for not being allowed to continue on at the polytechnic was was nearby. After the fall of France, it avoid more German U-Boats. But they that the headquarters of RAF Fighter was believed that many German spies missed me again! I arrived back in the Command, which defended London – the so-called “fi fth column” – had UK one week before the Japanese against the German bombing attacks, infi ltrated Great Britain. Churchill’s attack on Pearl Harbour. […] solution, made famous by his choice I soon found work in a factory of words, was: “Collar the Lot”! manufacturing ammunition, however, (That’s the only thing I ever had after working there for about a year, I against Churchill). As a consequence, decided that I wanted to do more in nearly all German Jewish refugees the war effort against the Nazis. So I were interned. My father went fi rst, volunteered for the Royal Air Force, then my mother, and then me when I and worked as ground crew on the was about 16½ years old. My parents engines of heavy bombers that were interned on the Isle of Man, attacked Germany. That felt good. though I was taken to a camp near Though it didn’t feel so good when Liverpool, and then shipped off to some of the bombers did not return Australia, on the infamous troop ship from their missions. First I worked on “Dunera”. […] Stirling Bombers, and then on Lanca- On the way to Australia, the Dunera sters, which each had four Rolls Royce travelled southward along the African engines. Toward the end of the war I coast, calling at Freetown, Sierra was transferred to a “Disarmament Leone, then continuing along the Unit”, because of my knowledge of same course we eventually rounded German, and spent two years in the southern tip of Africa, crossed the Germany “disarming” the Luftwaffe, Indian Ocean, and fi nally, after our mostly by translating for RAF offi cers fi rst Australian port of call, arrived in interrogating Luftwaffe personnel. On Sidney Harbour. On our return our way to my fi rst posting in Germa- journey we travelled on the Stirling ny, which was in Neumunster, our Castle – a converted luxury liner – fi rst convoy was the fi rst the inhabitants of to New Zealand, then across the Hamburg saw of any British troops. As Flora and Artur Löwenstein, co-founders of the Pacifi c Ocean, through the Panama Hamburg was just a complete heap of textile company Pausa, in the 1920s. (© Pri- Canal, then zigzagged our way across rubble, we were not made to feel very vate Photo / Löwenstein Research Association) the Atlantic at maximum speed to welcome. At that time, immediately

47 Löwenstein Research Association: Concept for the Development of a Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein (excerpt, Mös- singen 2019) On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Artur and Felix Löwenstein‘s founding of the inno- vative textile company Pausa, and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Staatliche Bauhaus in Weimar (Bauhaus), the Löwenstein Research Association, Mössingen, established the ”Research and Archive Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ in coo- peration with the Löwenstein family descendants and partners from the Mössingen area on July 28, 2019. This took place ten years after mem- bers of the Löwenstein family came to Mössingen again for the fi rst time, on July 22, 2009, following the joint Lord Mayor of Mössingen Michael Bulander with Harold Livingston, son of Flora and Artur Lö- invitation of the Löwenstein Research wenstein, and Doris Angel, daughter of Helene and Felix Löwenstein, in Mössingen in 2011. Association and the City of Mössingen (© Private Photo / Löwenstein Research Association) − 73 years after the forced expro- priation of the Löwenstein‘s Pausa after the German surrender, we saw offi cers and men of the Luftwaffe, Company and the family‘s expulsion lots of German soldiers, still fully and I made no secret of my German in late 1936. armed, but of course not fi ghting any Jewish origins. […] Since it was founded in 2007, the more. As an interpreter I was promo- Now I come to the Grosse Über- Association for the Research of the ted to the rank of sergeant (Feldwe- aschung (great surprise), when I fi rst Löwenstein Brothers‘ Life Work and bel) or whatever the equivalent rank heard from the Gründer (founder) of History (Verein zur Förderung der would have been in the Luftwaffe. the Löwenstein-Forschungsverein, Erforschung des Lebenswerkes und RAF food rations were not very good, Irene and Welf. As we had heard der Lebensgeschichte der Gebrüder so we often travelled to Denmark, to nothing about or from the Pausa, this Löwenstein e.V.) has done extensive buy butter, cheese, etc. About three was totally unexpected, particularly research, organised publications and days after arriving in Neumunster, a the great efforts that had been made events, and done international Palestinian volunteer with us, who to try to contact any survivors of the networking. These activities have was Jewish (remember, at that time families of Felix and Artur Löwenstein. been based on civic initiative and Palestine was a British Protectorate, Some of the greatest experiences volunteer work. In order to make the and the State of Israel did not yet were to see all the collection of Pausa results of the Association‘s work of exist), told me he was going to Belsen Stoffe, and also to return to my old more than ten years available to a Concentration Camp and asked me – home in Stuttgart, and to stand on wider public and more accessible for if we could get permission – if I that Balkon in Staffl enbergsraße to academic activities, a precise location wanted to go with him. Of course I see the view over the whole town. I and institutional framework is neces- agreed, and so I arrived at Belsen just don’t need to go into all the other sary. This shall be ensured by the one week after it had been liberated details; you know them better than I founding of a ”Research and Archive by British troops. All the survivors do. The highlights of everything were Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“. were still in the camp, along with the of course our visits to Mössingen, the The development of the Research and piles of dead bodies. The survivors overwhelmingly friendly relationships Archive Center will initiate a new looked 99% dead, it was a horrible that we all managed to have with division of responsibilities: The experience. I saw the gas chambers each other, and all the “Old Pausa- Löwenstein Research Association will and the ovens in which the bodies ner”. It was quite overwhelming to focus more on commemoration and were burned. I have been trying hard see a square named after our family, memorial activities, information and to fi nd a photo I took of a sign at the “The Löwenstein Platz”. […] communication within the public entrance to the camp that had been discourse, as well as giving impulses put up by British troops, which read, for civic courage and democratic “This is an Example of German action. The Research and Archive Kultur”! I got on very well with the Center will professionalize and

48 consolidate the research work. Over The new logo of the and above being a Mössingen textile “Forschungs- und Archiv- fi rm, the Löwenstein‘s Pausa Compa- stelle Artur und Felix ny had a large impact on the whole Löwenstein” (Research and Archive Center Artur Swabian Jura region and its textile and Felix Löwenstein) at industry. Already in the 1920s, the the external wall of the old Pausa Company developed into an town hall of Mössingen internationally successful fi rm, a in 2019. This logo was global player. In its early years, the created by Andreas Felger, company established strong ties to the an artist in Mössingen. Bauhaus in Weimar and Dessau. (© Private Photo / The Löwenstein‘s Pausa Company Löwenstein Research refl ects a highly innovative industrial Association) heritage. Its expropriation was part of the suppression of modern Jewish culture. The ”Research and Archive in Weimar, Dessau, and Berlin, activities and impact. Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ with a special focus on Ljuba 11. Research on the connections is to explore the signifi cance of the Monastirskaja‘s and Lisbeth between the Pausa Company‘s Löwenstein‘s Pausa Company as a di- Oestreicher‘s careers. founders and the family of Adolph stinctive part of active Jewish industrial 3. Research on the connections Lowe and Beatrice Lowe, née heritage in the region. It will examine between the Löwensteins‘ Pau- Löwenstein. and describe the roles that Artur and sa Company and Bauhaus artist 12. Research on the Pausa foun- Flora Löwenstein and Felix and Helene Friedl Dicker-Brandeis‘ work. ders‘ entrepreneurial, artistic and Löwenstein played as pioneers of 4. Research on the Löwensteins‘ cultural life work, its infl uences industry. The Research Center is to Pausa Company‘s signifi cance as and public reception. Research on explore the complex interactions and part of regional Jewish industrial Felix Löwenstein‘s work in Bolton, infl uences between Jewish companies culture, as well as on the Pausa Greater Manchester, in particular and the textile industry, Jewish as well Company‘s interactions with other his founding of the Helios Compa- as non-Jewish, at various locations in Jewish and non-Jewish businesses ny, commissioned by Sir Thomas the region (i.e. Hechingen, Bronnwei- in the area. Barlow. Research on innovative ler, Albstadt), in order to illustrate the 5. Research on the Löwensteins‘ (avantgarde) aspects of Felix development of economic and cultural Pausa Company‘s signifi cance for Löwenstein‘s designs. modernity. In addition, through its the development of Mössingen‘s 13. Professional support for the mode- research on the Löwenstein‘s Pausa economic, social, and political ration of the dialogue and ex- Company, the ”Research and Archive structures in the 1920s and 1930s. change of ideas between Artur and Center Artur and Felix Löwenstein“ 6. Research on the Löwensteins‘ Felix Löwenstein‘s descendents would like to contribute to the city‘s Pausa Company‘s infl uence on and the citizens of Mössingen. historic research effort. Focusing on Armi Ratia‘s artistic work and the 14. Development and maintenance aspects of industrial culture, including founding of the Marimekko Com- of an archive for documents of all its own historic heritage, could also pany in Finland in 1951. kinds, as well as the provision of enhance Mössingen‘s appeal as a busi- 7. Continuation of the research on the archived material for scholars, ness location. the ties and cooperation between the media, schools, and other in- The work of the Löwenstein Re- the Löwenstein family and the terested persons and institutions. search Association to date has re- circle of Bauhaus artists in Stuttg- 15. Preparation of educational ma- sulted in the following 15 main topics art around Lily Hildebrandt in the terial and teaching units on the for the ”Research and Archive Center 1920s and 1930s. history, infl uences, and reception Artur and Felix Löwenstein“. This list 8. Research on the contacts and of the Löwensteins‘ Pausa Com- may be augmented in the course of cooperation between the Löwen- pany and its work. the Research Center‘s activities: steins‘ Pausa Company and other 1. Research on the Pausa foun- artistic networks of the period‘s Book recommendation (German): ders‘ entrepreneurial, artistic and avantgarde. Irene Scherer, Welf Schröter, Klaus cultural activities in the 1920s and 9. Research on the expropriation Ferstl (Hg.): Artur und Felix Löwen- 1930s, including a focus on their and forced ”Aryanization“ of the stein. Würdigung der Gründer der contacts to the ”Werkbund“ and Pausa Company by the National Textilfi rma Pausa und geschichtliche other artistic associations. Socialists, including evaluating Zusammenhänge. 2. Research on the connections and coming to terms with these in Mössingen 2013, 396 Seiten, between the Löwenstein‘s Pausa justices. ISBN 978-3-89376-150-0. Company as a ”Bauhaus“ pro- 10. Research on the Löwensteins‘ To get in touch with Irene Scherer: duction site and the ”Bauhaus“ Pausa Company‘s international [email protected]

49 Looking for Jewish Traces in Haigerloch – A Short History of the Jewish People in Haigerloch

Helmut Opferkuch, Grosselfi ngen

Jewish inhabitants belonged to the the cultivation of vegetables, was townscape of Haigerloch for over six bought for this purpose. The fi rst buri- centuries. The fi rst Jews are said to al took place there on January 6, 1803 have settled in Haigerloch in the year and the latest in 2019. 1346. In total, there are 661 graves in the In 1498, Jews were expelled from cemetery. A lot of the gravestones the Duchy of Württemberg. The made of sandstone have weathered Count of Hohenzollern guaranteed so much that their inscriptions are them the right to live and trade in hardly readable. Some of the grave- return of the payment of protection stones have collapsed. money. The details were laid down in In 1780, Prince Karl Friedrich laid the so-called Jewish charters. The fi rst down that all the Jews in Haigerloch charter for the Jews in Haigerloch who were not homeowners had to dates back to October 6, 1534 and settle in the “Haag“. The “Haag- was signed by Count Christoph schlössle“ (the little castle of the Friedrich von Zollern. “Haag“) and three other buildings The burial ground for the Jews living were allocated to 10 Jewish families. in Haigerloch was situated outside the In 1782, the Prince allowed the town. It is about three kilometres construction of a synagogue. The away from Haigerloch in a forest near The old Jewish cemetery near Weildorf. Only synagogue as religious centre was in- very few of the inscriptions on the gravestones Weildorf. The oldest gravestone dates augurated only one year later on May can still be deciphered. back to 1567, the last burial took 5, 1783. Before, the Jewish communi- place in 1884. ty had only had a prayer room, which At the end of the 18th century, the was probably located in the upper part Jewish community wanted to have a growing and the old cemetery was of town. But very quickly the synago- new cemetery in the part of town too far away. In 1802, the area below gue became too small for the growing called “Haag“ as their number was the“Haag“, a steep slope unsuited for Jewish community.

General view of the new cemetery down below the “Haag“.

50 In 1795, apart from the 10 families in the “Haag“, there lived another 22 Jewish families in town already. And in 1836, 306 Jews were living in Haigerloch. In 1839-1840, the synagogue was enlarged. In 1858, the number of Jewish inhabitants reached its peak with 397 persons, which represented 32% of the total popula- tion of Haigerloch. According to the census of 1910, 260 Jews lived in town in January 1933, there were only 193 left (about 14% of the total population).

Rabbinate Building, Primary School and Community Hall There was a Jewish primary school in Haigerloch from 1823 to 1939. It was fi rst located in an extension of the synagogue. The extension was pulled down in 1839 and in 1841, the Prince gave the authorization to build a three-storey building near the The Former School and synagogue. It provided room for the the Rabbinate Building school, for the teacher‘s and for the rabbi‘s fl at. After 1945, the house was The Mikveh, cation ritual. But it soon couldn‘t meet used as accomodation for German the needs of the community. It had to displaced persons. Today, traces of the Jewish Ritual Bath be pulled down during the enlarge- the Mezusah can still be found on the Since the inauguration of the synago- ment of the synagogue (1839-1840) doorframe of the building. It has been gue in 1783, the Jewish community and was replaced by a new Mikveh in in private hands since 1955. also had a bathhouse for their purifi - about 1845.

View of the Mikveh with the ”Haagschlössle” (the little castle of the ”Haag“) in the background.

51 The German ambassador in Paris, Ernst vom Rath, had died on that day from the injuries he had suffered two days before during an assassination attempt by the Jew Herschel Gryn- zpan. Grynzpan carried out the attack on the diplomat out of despair after his parents had been deported from Germany to Poland. Ernst vom Rath‘s death came at a very opportune moment for the Nazis. They had their operational plans against the Jews all set and so imme- diately after the assassination, the Nazis and their accomplices received the order to persecute Jewish citizens. The discrimination and persecution of the Jewish population reached a peak 82 years ago and culminated in the Shoa, the extermination of about 6 million European Jews. The synagogue in Haigerloch was desecrated, too. At around 4 o‘clock in the morning of November 10, about 50 SA men from Sulz together with SA men from Haigerloch came to the “Haag“. They smashed 111 windows, bashed in the door of the synagogue and completely destroyed the interior. The classroom in the Jewish community house was also destroyed. The teacher Gustav Spier and his wife helplessly watched as the Nazis wrecked their fl at and the classroom. 12 Jewish inhabitants were taken into ”protective custody” as the Nazis euphemistically called the nightly The former inn. The ”Rose” was an important place of encounter and exchange among Jews and mass wave of arrests. 11 men were non-Jews. deported to the concentration camp The ”Rose”, A lot of them show the important role of Dachau on November 12, 1938. a Place of Encounter the “Rose” played in drawing Jews At least 278 people from Haigerloch and non-Jews together. were deported to concentration Professor Utz Jeggle summarizes the After the Nazis had seized power, camps in Eastern Europe. Only 10 role of the ”Rose” in the catalogue of the ”Rose” was forced to hosting survived. After the deportations from the permanent exhibition: The ”Rose” Jewish cultural events only. Haigerloch in the years 1941 and is situated at the border between 1942, the Jewish community had the Jewish ”Haag” and the Catholic “Kristallnacht” (Pogrom been completely wiped out by the upper part of town. It was a place Night of 1938) Nazis. of encounter. Well into the 1930s, there were numerous festivities and In the night from November 9 to The Former Synagogue performances. Apart from the cultural November 10, 1938, the synagogues after 1945 events, the ”Rose” was an inn where in Germany were set on fi re. German one could eat the best roast goose Jews were beaten up, arrested, some No Jews settled permanently in by far. The good soul of the house even killed. Their houses were destro- Haigerloch after WWII, and so the was the innkeeper, Julie Levi. In the yed, the windowpanes were smashed ”Israelitische Religionsgemeinschaft exceptionally large collection of Paul and their shops were looted. In the Württembergs” in Stuttgart sold the Weber, the local photographer, there following days, about 30,000 people former synagogue to a private buyer are photos of the daily life at the inn. were sent to concentration camps. in 1951. It was used as a cinema from

52 Outside view of the former synagogue. The commemorative stone with the seven-armed candelabra can be seen in the foreground on the right. The com- memorative plaques with the names of all the deported Jews of Haigerloch are displayed on the wall of the synagogue on the left.

1952 to 1968, then as a supermarket During the years 1998 to 2000, the of Haigerloch, who had survived the (“SPAR”) until 1981, and fi nally from ”Ludwig-Uhland-Institut” of Tübin- Holocaust, had come to Haigerloch 1981 to 1999 as a warehouse for a gen University carried out a research with her family for this occasion. Tom textile fi rm. project entitled ”Remembering the Wolf, Carlie‘s father, ended his speech In the 1980s, more and more people Jews of Haigerloch” headed by with the following words: ”Today, we in Haigerloch became interested in the Professor Utz Jeggle. Thanks to this are all Haigerlocher”. Jewish history of the town. That is research, many aspects of Jewish life It gives us great pleasure to see a why on November 9, 1988, a citizens‘ in Haigerloch came to light again. place once desecrated by the Nazis initiative was founded, the ”Ge- Memory work was more and more turn into a place of encounter and sprächskreis Ehemalige Synagoge accepted by the population of Haiger- dialogue again. Haigerloch”. The main aim of the loch and it gained an even greater From the very beginning, the ”Haus initiative was to use the former importance within the community. der Geschichte Baden-Württemberg” synagogue in an adequate and worthy Between 2001 and 2003, the buil- was involved in planning the future way. It was obvious and also necessary ding was renovated and on November use of the former synagogue and to buy the building. The mayor of 9, 2003, the former synagogue was thus, the idea of a museum began to Haigerloch at that time, Roland Trojan, reopened with a very moving and take shape. Cornelia Hecht and Rainer was very much in favour of the project impressive ceremony. Former Jewish Schimpf from the ”Haus der Ge- and supported it consistently. After inhabitants of the town came with schichte” worked on an exhibition long negotiations with the owner, the their families from various countries. concept and on June 14, 2004, the town of Haigerloch could fi nally buy During the inauguration of the freshly permanent exhibition entitled the building in December 1999 with renovated synagogue, Carlie Wolf, ”Spurensicherung – Jüdisches Leben the support of the initiative that had Alice Wolf‘s granddaughter, celebra- in Hohenzollern” (“Looking for traces raised 200,000 Deutschmark thanks to ted her Bat Mizwa (religious majority) – Jewish life in Hohenzollern”) was many donations. there. Alice Wolf, a former inhabitant inaugurated.

53 Inside view of the former synagogue with both galleries and the permanent exhibition.

The ”Gesprächskreis ehemalige ciation as volunteers. Working for a kreis”. The tours usually include the Synagoge Haigerloch e.V.” is in memorial for us means memory work various buildings that have already charge of the exhibition and keeps the and commitment to humanity and been described in this article. On memory of the Jews in Haigerloch tolerance, against exclusion and request, we offer special theme tours. alive. racism. In 2019, 28 guided tours could be There are many different fi elds offered. The ”Gesprächskreis“ and its determining our voluntary work. Children and young adults represent Activities Supervising the permanent exhibi- a very important target group for us. tion in the former synagogue has Most of them know very little about The architectural ensemble of the taken up some of our time since its the Jewish history of Haigerloch. They former Jewish quarter has been al- inauguration in 2004. The exhibition are the ones, nevertheless, that should most entirely preserved (the rabbinate is open to the public on Saturdays and pass on this history to the next building, the ”Rose”, the former sy- Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. the generation. From the very beginning, nagogue, the Mikveh and the Jewish whole year round. In addition, the our association has carried out cemetery) and reminds us of the lively museum is open on Thursdays from 2 different projects with students from past of the former Jewish community. p.m. to 5 p.m. from April to October. Haigerloch in cooperation with the The “Haag” is ideal to present the Luckily, students and pensioners help ”Haus der Geschichte” and presented history of Jewish life in Haigerloch to to guarantee opening hours as the results to the public. In the interested visitors. attendants so that we can normally summer of 2019, for example, The ”Gesprächskreis” was founded solve any shortage of staff. In 2019, students produced a short fi lm about on November 9, 1988 as a citizens‘ 1365 visitors came to see the exhibi- the old Jewish cemetery. initiative and became a registered tion. In the last 3 years, we have been association in 2000. Presently, 10 to Offering guided tours through the developing a thematic range of 15 people dedicate a considerable former Jewish quarter, the ”Haag” is courses and teaching material for amount of their free time for the asso- another priority of the ”Gesprächs- groups of young visitors. For example,

54 a rally through the ”Haag” has been she emigrated to Israel and lived in What is the Situation Today, designed during which groups have to the kibbutz Tira Zvi in the Jordan 82 Years After “Kristall- go to different places with the help of valley. Ruth Ben-David also came for nacht”? an investigation sheet. the inauguration to Haigerloch in Furthermore, we organize and plan 2003. She passed away in July 2018. Antisemitism, exclusion and racism are 10 public events per year that very It is our wish and responsibility, to gaining ground and have already rea- often relate to topics like exclusion, keep alive the contacts to the de- ched parliaments. We live in a country exile and the development of new scendants of the Jews of Haigerloch where Jewish citizens don’t dare wear perspectives in life. and if necessary, to renew them. a kippa anymore. In November 2019, we hosted a In the last few years, we weren‘t On September 10, 2019, the literary evening about the deportation spared by fate. The sudden and much right-wing extremist, Stephan Balliet, of over 20,000 German and Austrian too early death of our long-term carried out an attack on the synago- Jews to Shanghai by the Nazis and chairman, Klaus Schubert, on April gue in Halle. He killed 2 persons their desperate attempts to start a 24, 2017, left fi rst a paralyzing during the attack. Following the new life. emptiness and a huge gap in our attack, police presence was increased We show fi lms twice a year. On ”Gesprächskreis”. Klaus Schubert had outside synagogues in many German January 26, 2020, we showed the fi lm been heading the ”Gesprächskreis” cities. In Haigerloch, two policemen Der Staat gegen Fritz Bauer to mark since its founding in 1988. Thanks to regularly patrolled the area around the liberation of the camp of Ausch- his visions, his quiet and compassio- the synagogue for several days. Fortu- witz. It is about Fritz Bauer‘s work as nate way and his absolute reliability, nately, the attack in Halle didn’t Chief Public Prosecutor in Frankfurt in he was not only an invaluable attract any immediate imitators. the 1960s. Against the will of mem- collegue, but also a very dear friend. We as “Gesprächskreis Ehemalige bers of the German judiciary, Fritz We have tried to carry on with our Synagoge Haigerloch” see with great Bauer played a very important role in activities in his sense. In those diffi cult worries that we live in times in which unmasking Adolf Eichmann in Argen- moments, we received valuable the use of coarse language has tina in 1960. He rendered possible support from various institutions. We become socially accepted with some Eichmann’s standing in trial and would like to express our gratitude to groups within German society. consequently his execution in Israel. the ”Gedenkstättenverbund”, the It is our responsibility to establish a Keeping in contact with the de- “Haus der Geschichte”, the ”Landes- dialogue with people of all political scendants of the Jews of Haigerloch zentrale für politische Bildung” and colours. is still a top priority for us. In 2003 many other helpers. It is also our responsibility to stand and 2004, a few former Jewish On August 28, 2018, Friedbert up against exclusion, violence, inhabitants of Haigerloch and their Tausch passed away after a severe intolerance and racism and to speak families were still able to attend the illness at the age of 69. He was a out against them. inauguration of the former synagogue founding member of the ”Gesprächs- More than ever, it is for us all a and the permanent exhibition. kreis” and a member of the advisory moral responsibility to actively support However, the situation has changed in board. He had designed the associ- fundamental values such as tolerance, the meantime. The last two Jews of ation logo, a seven-armed candelabra, humanity and democracy. Haigerloch who had survived the as well as the commemorative plaques Holocaust, Henry Schwab and Ruth on the outer walls of the former I owe heartfelt thanks to the late Ben-David, passed away recently. synagogue (with the names of the Helmut Gabeli. Without his profound Henry Schwab, born in 1920, grew 110 Jews of Haigerloch who had been historical research on “Jewish life in up in Haigerloch and had to fl ee the deported to concentration camps). Haigerloch” this article would not Nazis as a seventeen-year-old boy. He 11 days later, on September 5, have been possible. found a new home in New York. He 2018, Helmut Gabeli passed away af- came to Haigerloch in 2003 to attend ter a long, severe illness at the age of Bibliography: the inauguration of the former 74. He was one of the founding mem- Haus der Geschichte Stuttgart Baden- synagogue. Henry Schwab passed bers. Helmut Gabeli helped to shape Württemberg (ed.), Spurensiche- away at the age of 97 on August 8, our memorial in Haigerloch thanks to rung. Jüdisches Leben in Hohenzol- 2018 in New York. his contacts to Jewish families all over lern, (Stuttgart, 2004). Ruth Ben-David was born on July the world, his research work and his Utz Jeggle (ed.), Erinnerungen an die 27, 1921 in Haigerloch. Her father, detailed knowledge in law. We have Haigerlocher Juden. Ein Mosaik, Gustav Spier, was the teacher of the lost a knowledgeable counsellor and (Tübingen, 2000). Jewish primary school, rabbinate companion. He made a tremendous Karl Werner Steim, Juden in Hai- administrator and prayer leader in the contribution to our knowledge of the gerloch – Photos von Paul Weber, synagogue. In February 1939, at the Jewish history and culture of our regi- (Haigerloch, 1987). age of 17, Ruth managed to emigrate on thanks to his meticulous research to England. She was the only member work. Helmut Gabeli left a huge gap Photos: Helmut Opferkuch, 2020. of her family to survive. After WWII, in our association.

55 Why Youth Exchange? Why Germany?

Yair Rubin, Israel

Many times, when I think of Isra- Grunewald you can stand on the real al sites and monuments made of eli-German youth exchanges, my platform 17; next to the entrance of concrete, metal or stone are every- thoughts wander to a certain mo- the train station in Dresden there is a where; the items in the exhibition of ment. I was in Os´wi˛ecim, on a beau- sign indicating dates and numbers; in the „Topography of Terror Museum“ tiful European spring afternoon, with so many other places you stumble are out on the street; the Stasi archi- a group of Israeli, German and Polish upon Stolpersteine, and you know ves are open to the public. All these youths. We visited the old Jewish – this is where it happened, right here. invite the public to look and learn cemetery and the old Synagogue, and Germany fascinates me because it how a murderous dictatorship mana- we knew that tomorrow we would be carries on its everyday life inside its ged to evolve right here, at home, in going to the concentration camp. And own history and does not put it on a those very streets. we all really wanted some good ice pedestal. To see what happened – all Germany fascinates me because this cream. As one of the Israeli kids said, you have to do is walk the streets blunt display of historic wrongdoing is ”If there is somebody who can actual- – you can stand in Nordbahnhof in remorseful but it is not a plea for ly say ’I live in Auschwitz‘ then surely Stuttgart; and you can look down into forgiveness. The different sites and there will be someone who can say ’I the empty library in Bebelplatz in monuments tell me „we did wrong“ sell ice cream in Auschwitz‘.“ Berlin; and everything is right near the but the decision whether to forgive or So what do Israelis do when they coffee shops, bus stations, curry wurst not is mine. Germany presents the are in Os´wi˛ecim, when the enormous stands and it all happened right here, facts and the remorse but leaves me burden of history and the signifi cance I mean, over there. with the option and right to decide for of the place weigh down on their Germany fascinates me because the myself. Germany offers me the young shoulders? They go for the wounds and pains are on display. In opportunity to look, to think, to blackest of black humor; they tell the entrance to the assembly hall of understand, to be a part of a process, horrible jokes, Holocaust jokes. In the Reichstag there is a wall full of at the end of which I might forgive. Hebrew. And they laugh – much too Russian graffi ti and this wall is a Or not. loud, much too long, teeth exposed in warning sign for German politicians – I think that Israelis do not partici- desperation. beware! If you are not careful, if you pate enough in this process. I do not When the leader of the German let tyranny and xenophobia rise again, know whether we should forgive or group asked me what they were Germany will be defeated – again – not, I do not know if it is possible or if laughing about I explained, but when and the winner will leave its mark on forgiveness is mine to give. Perhaps she asked me to tell her one of the the Parliament walls – again. You may we should differentiate between jokes I refused. She insisted and in the fi nd it to your taste or not, but responsibility and guilt – perhaps not, end I translated one of them for her. personally, I think it is a deep and maybe there is ”Another Germany“ – She looked at me and she looked at courageous statement. maybe not. One thing is clear: we in the group, and she said: „You know, Germany fascinates me because it Israel are not listening closely enough even before I learned anything about displays its mistakes and the conse- to what Germany is trying to tell us. the Holocaust I heard that joke from quences almost everywhere. Memori- There is a lot of talk in the Israeli ed- my father, but he was not laughing“, and the conversation then turned to places I had not known until then. Since 2006 I have been involved with German-Israeli youth exchange projects, and in those years I have visited Germany quite often. As a Jew, as an Israeli, as a person who loves this wonderful tale called history, as a person who is trying to understand his world, his culture, his life – Germany fascinates me. Germany fascinates because its memory is so different from the one with which I was brought up. The me- mory of the Holocaust in Israel is the memory of what was lost, commemo- ration focused on trying to reconstruct that which is gone. But in Berlin- Cooking and eating together encourages group dynamics. (Courtesy Yair Rubin)

56 ucational system about ”meeting the other“, but not enough is being done. I think that youth encounters are paramount because meeting ”the other“ is fi rst and foremost meeting my own self. Participating in a youth exchange compels me to think about myself, to gain a better knowledge of the various elements of my identity and history; meeting others means that I need to know who I am so that I can learn who the ”other“ is; that will enable me to see the similarities and differences between that ”other“ and me. The name of the NGO I established is ”Face to Face“ and the subtitle is ”meeting the past, meeting the other, meeting myself“. Israeli students from Shavei Zion and German students from Horb at a viewpoint over the I think that the encounter with lake Kinereth.(Courtesy Yair Rubin) Germany and Germans is signifi cant because it forces us to confront the conditions that lead to the Holocaust? a conscience the size of a peanut feels un-answered question – how could it The encounter is important because ”it“; and every German with a have happened? How could it have Jewish victimhood precludes empathy. conscience that is just slightly bigger come to pass? The study of the Here, too, I wish to avoid the discus- gets to the point of searching the SS Holocaust in the Israeli educational sion of forgiveness, but the ability to fi les for any information about system, and even more so the Israeli understand, to empathize, to ”walk a Grandpa, or asking Grandma what ”Journey to Poland“, are concerned mile in someone else‘s emotional she knew or did not know. And when with what was and what is gone. shoes“ (be that someone German or they do fi nd Grandpa‘s photo where They tend to deal in a very perfuncto- not) – that is essential. If there is just they dreaded they would fi nd it, or ry manner with questions such as how one lesson I have learned from my when an old aunt says something things came to be, what happened in encounter with Germans, it is that the horribly racist – they feel their world the German society, why the Jews German soul carries a most terrible collapsing around them. Perhaps, as became the scapegoat. I believe it is wound. Many try to touch it, to heal one Israeli participant once told me, such an enormous and diffi cult it, but although there is a deep and ”it is their historical punishment“. But question, that perhaps we will never sincere desire to do so, it remains. In even so, even if there will never be have a good answer for it – but that one of my projects, in a reception held normality in the relations, even if we should not keep us from trying. by the participants‘ parents for us should choose to ”never forget or The encounter is important because when we arrived, I met the mother of forgive“, I would still prefer that it breaks our solitude. A lot of Israelis a German youth. She was very happy moral position to be based on some- maintain the perception that the about the exchange and said so in thing deeper than just cliché. I would Holocaust is an exclusively ”Jewish warm and kind words. When I asked want it to be based on sound know- story“. I wish to claim that this is not her how she came to speak such ledge, on true acquaintance with real only historically incorrect; it also German-accent-free excellent English, people, on talking to them with an reduces the possibility of educating in she said, ”I grew up in South Africa open heart. light of conclusions and values we but I was born in Argentina“. I could I think that we, the victims‘ de- derive from our historical knowledge. sense that she was trying to tell me scendants, should be with the per- Perhaps it is not very nice to say so, something (what kinds of Germans petrators descendants in that painful, but Jewish victimhood is very clear, are there in Argentina, I asked my- awful place, where you face the unequivocal, very easy, but it is also self…) but I said nothing. On the last atrocities of the past. I think that it is very restrictive. This is a position that day of the exchange, at the farewell appropriate that we, especially we, does not encourage learning and does party, she came over and with tears in should try to help Germans get closer not allow the raising of signifi cant her eyes, she said to me (these very to touching that wound. We should questions: do we really know enough words): ”Thank you for coming here, try to fi nd in them, particularly in about the Nazis, or have we made an thank you for giving my family the them, partners in the pursuit of easy job of it, defi ned them as ”per- opportunity to talk about it“, and understanding and educating . petrators“ and excused ourselves without talking about it, we both Perhaps we may even succeed in from reaching any true understan- knew what ”it“ meant. creating a future that will be free of ding? Have we really come to under- Because every German with a such deeds. stand the moral, social and historical minimum of historical knowledge and

57 The History of the Kozak Family: An Example for the Research of the KZ-Gedenkstätte Hailfi ngen-Tailfi ngen1 Volker Mall, Herrenberg. Translated by Benedict von Bremen

In November 1944, David Kozak after the German invasion of Poland, became an inmate of the Hailfi ngen- Wehrmacht troops marched into Tailfi ngen concentration camp. He Cz˛estochowa. The very next day, died there on January 16, 1945. which went down in the city‘s history After a tip from Theo Susso in early as “Bloody Monday,” some 150 Jews April 2017, we found out in Septem- were shot by the Germans. The Kozak ber 2017 that David Kozak – as family had to leave their home and “David Kazak” – was on the Ausch- move into the ghetto, which was witz-Stutthof transport list (no. 96) established on April 9, 1941. and that his Auschwitz number can “My close family (father, mother also be found there. sister and even grandparents), we all David Kozak was born on March lived in the ghetto in the same 11, 1909 in Cz˛estochowa, Poland as apartment, so of course I remember the son of Moshe Kozak and Adela my grandparents and loved them very née Landau. David Kozak and his wife much. […] My grandfather Moses Bronislawa owned a metal goods Kozak played dominoes with me factory in Cz˛estochowa with 300 when I was ill in bed with scarlet employees. fever.” (Marion Kozak, April 10, 2017) David Kozak was taken to Ausch- On September 22, 1942 (Yom witz by the SiPo (“Sicherheitspolizei,” David Kozak. (Courtesy David Miliband) Kippur), the dissolution of the ghetto “security police”) and SD (“Sicher- began. About 2,000 Jews were heitsdienst,” the intelligence service On October 28, 1944, he was murdered and 40,000 were sent into of the SS) from Radom2 on September transported from Auschwitz to the Treblinka gas chambers. 9, 1944 and was given the number Stutthof and in November 1944 to When the deportations began, 193 182 (Danuta Czech p. 874). He Hailfi ngen (number 40 705) where he Marion Kozak, her sister, and her was presumably in the Majdanek died on January 16, 1945 and was mother were smuggled out of the satellite camp in Radom. As of now, interred in a mass grave. After the ghetto by a former employee of her we do not know how and why he reburial in July 1945, his remains lie in father‘s shop.5 The father stayed had come there.3 the group grave at the Tailfi ngen behind to look after the parents. They In October 2017 we received an cemetery. were probably murdered in Treblinka answer to an inquiry made to the Bronislawa and David Kozak had in July 1943.6 Majdanek archives (Pa´nstwowe two daughters. In 1934, Dobra Jenta After the dissolution of the ghetto, Muzeum na Majdanku): (later Marion) was born and Hadassah about 5,000 Jews remained in the “The Archives of the State Museum in 1937. so-called “Kleines Ghetto” (“small at Majdanek does not possess any On September 3, 1939, two days ghetto), called “Zwangsarbeitslager documentation of the former German 1 https://www.kz-gedenkstaette-hailfi ngen-tailfi ngen. as the Red Army advanced to Germany, perhaps to Nazi labour camp in Radom, even de/ another concentration camp.” The Telegraph May though it became a subcamp of 2 From January 17, 1944 on, Radom was a satellite 16, 2010: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/ camp of Majdanek and an arms factory owned by mother-tongue/7730052/The-miraculous-escape- Majdanek from 17th of January 1944. Steyr-Daimler-Puch: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/ of-Marion-Miliband.html On 26 July 1944 Germans began the Liste_der_Au%C3%9Fenlager_des_KZ_Majdanek. It 4 The Deutsche Ausrüstungswerke GmbH (DAW, evacuation of the camp in Radom. A was closed on July 26, 1944. All inmates were taken “German Equipment Works”) was a defense to Auschwitz, where the fi rst arrived on July 28, company operated by the SS and employing, among few days later almost all of the 1944 (numbers 189762 to 190139, Czech p. 831); others, concentration camp inmates. In 1942, prisoners were sent to Auschwitz, more arrived on July 31, 1944 (numbers 190656 to Majdanek realized the largest turnover of all DAW where they arrived 6 August 1944 – 190706, Czech p. 833). David Wajnapel testifi ed: factories. “After a selection at the Stare Miasto (Old Town) 5 “A German was appointed to run the family factory, only a small group of the prisoners Square 4,000 Jews were assigned to forced labour which was turned into an armaments factory during stayed in Radom to disassemble in two camps, established at Szwarlikowska Street the war, and there was at least one instance of him 4 and Szkolna Street, the latter becoming the Szkolna being helpful towards the family escaping the ghet- DAW workshops, but we don‘t know Street camp, a subcamp of Majdanek in 1944. […] to.” The Telegraph May 16, 2010. if David Kozak, born 11.03.1909 in In July 1944, the whole camp, including myself, was 6 “Adela’s gravestone in the town’s Jewish cemetery, Cz˛estochowa, was among them.” sent to Auschwitz camp […]” http://www.holocaus- now overgrown and in the shadow of the local tresearchproject.org/ghettos/radom.html steelworks, states simply: In loving memory of our It is possible that David Kozak 3 “Dawid had been forced to work, according to the mother Adela Kozak, murdered by the Germans July remained in the Radom satellite camp local historian Wieslaw Paszkowski, in the notorious 18, 1943 and to the memory of our father Mauryc Hasag Pelcery slave labour camp in the town. Mr [a variation of Mosiek], and their children Dawid and for several weeks after the disassem- Paszkowski suggests Dawid was deported along Cecylia Kozak.” The Telegraph May 16, 2010. bly of the workshops. with about 6,000 Jews at Hasag in January 1945

58 Tschenstochau” (forced labour camp ment of the monastery wanted to get Marion Kozak married in 1961. David Czestochowa) in offi cial German rid of the children, their aunt was able was born in 1965 and Ed in 1969. documents. On September 2, 1942, a to place Marion in another monastery. Ralph Miliband died in 1994. German munitions factory owned by With the help of a friend, she came In June 2007, Prime Minister the HASAG company was set up in into contact with Helena Sitkowska, Gordon Brown appointed David the Stradom suburb. who was willing to take in fi ve-year- Miliband as the United Kingdom’s On January 4, 1943 the fi rst selec- old Hadassah. Widowed Helena youngest Foreign Secretary in de- tion took place in the “small ghetto.” Sitkowska lived with her father, her cades. In April 2013, he resigned from 350 women and children were ten-year-old daughter Magda, and Parliament. Since 2013, David Milli- deported to Treblinka; 200 were her fi fteen-year-old son Andrzej in a band has been President of the immediately shot. In March 1943, 130 quiet Warsaw suburb. Hadassah was International Rescue Committee in people were shot in the Jewish not allowed to leave the house or go New York, where he also lives. cemetery. to school, but the family, especially His brother Ed Miliband won a seat Sigmund Rolat, head of the World Andrzej, taught her to read and write. for the Labour Party in the House of Society of Czestochowa Jews, told the In July 1944, shortly before the Commons for the constituency of Sunday Telegraph that he was convin- Warsaw Uprising, Cecylia Kozak Doncaster North in 2005 and also ced that Marion Kozak was with him sought a safer place for her relatives became a member of the British during the “miraculous escape” in and also brought Marion to Mrs. government in June 2007. On Sep- June 1943. When 30 children were to Sitkowska; later, their mother Bronis- tember 25, 2010, he narrowly defea- be transported to the cemetery by lawa Kozak joined them. In spite of all ted his brother David in the election truck and then shot there, Dr. Liedt the diffi culties, constant danger and for Labour Party leader. He was the told the SS commander that he fear, especially after Andrzej had left party leader and opposition leader wanted to take the children because the house to support the insurgents, until 2015. He competed in the 2015 they could do work that machines Mrs. Sitkowska took care of her general election for the post of Prime could not do: wards. Cecylia Kozak, who was their Minister against incumbent and “I was the last one of some 30 support and outside contact, was Conservative Party leader David children, standing in a line waiting to killed during the Warsaw Uprising. Cameron. After a clear defeat, Ed board the truck that would take us to After the suppression of the upri- Milliband resigned from his post as the cemetery for execution. At that sing, the inhabitants had to leave party leader on May 8, 2015. Since point, Dr. Litt [Liedt], a German who Warsaw. Mrs. Sitkowska took the the 2017 election, he has been be a ran a munitions factory, walked over Kozaks with her into the column of Member of Parliament again. and said, ‘I will take the children.’ refugees and took care of them, Hadassah Kosak is professor of The SS captain in charge was angry providing them with clothes and history at Yeshiva University in New and challenged him, demanding to money. She placed them with relatives York. She received her PhD in 2001 know what good children would be where they remained until liberation on Cultures of Opposition: Jewish in a munitions factory. Litt said in January 1945. After that, they Immigrant Workers, New York City, something about children being able probably lived in Warsaw. 1881–1905. Until her visit to us, she to do jobs that machines couldn’t. Because of increasing anti-Semitism, had assumed that her father had One of those children who was saved they tried to leave the country. already come to Auschwitz in 1942 that day was the mother of David Hadassah Kozak and her mother, after and died there. In the Yad Vashem Miliband.” (Sigmund Rolat) living in Paris for a year, went to Israel archives, several people by the name Similarly, the Yad Vashem Encyclo- in 1949, where a brother (Landau) of David Kozak are mentioned. One pedia of Ghettos during the Holo- and sister of Bronislawa lived who had of them (without date of birth) was caust reports, “[…] a group of young emigrated to Leipzig, Germany and born in Cz˛estochowa and probably people between 12 and 15 years from there to Palestine in the 1930s. died in 1942 in Treblinka.8 survived only thanks to the interven- Hadassah Kozak stayed in Israel until Marion Kozak was very surprised tion of the German factory manager 1967. Marion Kozak was brought to when we told her about our research. Liedt, who agreed to take them to the England in 1946 by a Jewish aid She replied on April 10, 2017: “Many labour camp next to the HASAG organisation. There, she met senior thanks for all this information, which factory.”7 lecturer Ralph Miliband at the London is certainly correct. Our father, David Marion Kozak said in October 2017 School of Economics. Born in Brussels Kozak, was defi nitely born sometime that she could not remember this. on January 7, 1924 as Adolphe around 1909. […] I would like to visit Bronislawa‘s sister Cecylia Kozak Miliband, he was one of Great took Marion, Hadassah, and Bronisla- Britain’s most famous left-wing 7 Guy Miron & Shlomit Shulhan (ed.), Die Yad Vashem Enzyklopädie der Ghettos während des Holocaust wa to Warsaw. Under a false name, intellectuals. In 1940, together with (Frankfurt 2014), p. 874. Bronislawa Kozak worked for a his father, he walked from Brussels to 8 “Dawid Kozak was born in Czestochowa, Poland to Christian family. The daughters were Ostend and fl ed to England on the Shmuel and Rudel. Prior to WWII he lived in Czesto- chowa, Poland. Dawid was murdered in the Shoah.” sheltered in a convent near Warsaw. A last ship before the German invasion http://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?langu few months later, when the manage- of Belgium. Ralph Miliband and age=en&itemId=507517&ind=7

59 more about his grandfather. “They gave us hints that he didn‘t die in Auschwitz, but we didn‘t get any- where.” He had already been looking for a satellite camp in Germany but had not found out any details. Perhaps he had seen the testimonies of Frida Landau (1925–2015) for his father and grandparents. For David Kozak, the place of death is “Germa- nia.” After a tip from Yad Vashem, his brother suspected that their grandfa- ther had died in Buchenwald. He visited Buchenwald in 2015 and received the (false) information that his grandfather had died in the Harzungen satellite camp while building a runway.9 On November 14, 2015, The Telegraph reported in “How a trip to Israel helped Ed Miliband rediscover his Judaism”: “Of the 4,000 prisoners at Harzungen camp, 556 died. And Ed Miliband now knew his grandfather had been one of them. Dawid Kozak. Born Czestochowa, Poland, 1909. Died Harzungen, Germany, 1945. Murdered in the Shoa.” On October 1, 2017, the two daughters and grandchildren of David Kozak came to Tailfi ngen. It was a very moving encounter. On October 3, 2017, David Mili- band wrote: “I am writing to thank you most deeply for your committed Photo above, from left: Marion Kozak, Andr- and successful work to tell the story zej Sitkowski and Hadassah Kozak 1996 in of Hailfi ngen‘s terrible past, and teach Yad Vashem at the honoring of the Sitkowksis as „Righteous Among the Nations“. (Courtesy a message of humanity to future Yad Vashem) generations. Your work over many Photo in the middle, from left: Hadassah and years is a real beacon of hope, and of Marion Kozak, Ed and David Miliband 2017 course in the last two days you have in Tailfi ngen. (Courtesy KZ Gedenkstätte given our family an unexpected Hailfi ngen · Tailfi ngen) chance to fi nd the answers to some Photo below: David Miliband speaks at the very deep questions. Your spirit and Memorial for the Murdered in Tailfi ngen. sensitivity throughout our stay with (Courtesy KZ Gedenkstätte Hailfi ngen · you was most appreciated, and your Tailfi ngen) families and fellow local residents David Miliband wrote on April 15 could not have been more welcoming and 24, 2017: “Thank you for your or supportive. I left with deep gratitu- email about this very distressing de for your work and profound period in European history. I congra- 9 “Mr Miliband, 45, said: ‘It has taken us almost 70 tulate you on your determination to years to fi nd out the truth. But it‘s still very hard establish historical memory. […] Very to take in. We had thought he died in Auschwitz, your offi ce in Germany and examine many thanks for your efforts and for but he died building a Nazi airstrip in a camp called Harzungen.’ This was part of the Buchenwald any documentation that you may writing. I truly appreciate it.” death camp in Germany. […] Dawid had arrived at have on the crimes committed during Ed Miliband had traveled to Ausch- Harzungen late in the war and he died only three months before the camp was liberated by US soldiers the war in Poland, however painful witz and visited the Yad Vashem in 1945.” Daily Mail January 29, 2015. There was that may be.” Holocaust memorial site to fi nd out no airfi eld in Harzungen.

60 impression of the way Germans are “Adela Kozak was born in Czenstchow, Poland in 1879. She was a house- taking charge of their own history and wife and married. Prior to WWII she lived in Czenstchow, Poland. During therefore their future. the war she was in Czenstchow, Poland. Adela was murdered in the Shoah. I am very grateful and of course am This information is based on a Page of Testimony (displayed here) submitted happy to help your endeavors in any by her relative, Frida Landau”11 way in future. Sincerely, “Mose Kozak was born in Czenstchow, Poland in 1877. He was a merchant David Miliband” and married. Prior to WWII he lived in Czenstchow, Poland. Mose was murdered in the Shoah. This information is based on a Page of Testimony On June 29, 1995, Yad Vashem (displayed here) submitted by his relative, Frida Landau. Place of Death appointed Helena Sitkowska and her Treblinka, Extermination Camp, Poland”12 son Andrzej Sitkowski as “Righteous Among the Nations.” In February “David Kozak was born in Czestochow, Poland in 1909 to Moshe and 1996, Andrzej Sitkowski, together Adela. He was a merchant and married. Prior to WWII he lived in Czesto- with Marion Kozak/Miliband and chow, Poland. David was murdered/perished in Germany. This information Hadassah Kosak, came to Jerusalem is based on a Page of Testimony submitted by his niece. (Frida Landau)”13 for a ceremony at Yad Vashem in honour of the Sitkowskis.10 After their visit to Tailfi ngen on October 2, 2017, Hadassah Kosak and Marion Miliband 10 https://www.yadvashem.org/righteous/stories/sitkowski.html 11 http://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=507510&ind=4 visited Andrzej Sitkowski, who now 12 http://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=507534&ind=12 lives in Kempten, Germany. 13 http://db.yadvashem.org/names/nameDetails.html?itemId=739077&language=en

The Liberation of the Unternehmen “Wüste” Concentra tion Camp Inmates in April 1945: French Troops Put an End to Unimaginable Suffering Dr. Andreas Zekorn, Balingen. Translated by Benedict von Bremen

75 years ago, in April 1945, the Evacuation in Several Steps On April 7 and 13, 1945, two train Unternehmen “Wüste” (Operation The evacuation of the local concen- transports with about 4,000 mostly “Desert”) camps in the Zollernalb re- tration camps took place in several sick and weak prisoners left for Allach, gion of southwestern Germany, which steps: fi rstly, as a result of the rescue a satellite camp of the Dachau con- were satellite camps of the Natz- operation of Count Folke Bernadot- centration camp. The inmates were weiler-Struthof concentration camp te (1895–1948), Vice Chairman of transported in open railroad cars. They near Strasbourg, were evacuated by the Swedish Red Cross, Norwegian were tormented by hunger, thirst, and means of rail transports and “death and other Scandinavian concentra- cold in the open and overcrowded marches.” In 1945, there were seven tion camp prisoners were released wagons. These transports claimed satellite camps at the foot of the Swa- from the hell of the “Desert” camps many additional lives; presumably 280 bian Jura: in Bisingen, Dautmergen, in March 1945. The next phase of people died during the fi rst transport, Dormettingen, Erzingen, Frommern, the evacuation was the removal of which was probably the equivalent of Schömberg, and Schörzingen. inmates by rail in early April 1945. almost a quarter of the total number of The goal of this absurd project of This was based on considerations prisoners on train. Already in Sigma- National Socialist delusion, code- to replace the prisoners with civilian ringen, the corpses piled up visibly in named “Wüste” (“Desert”), was to workers in order to fi nally make shale the wagons, as was later reported by extract shale oil to cover the enor- oil production “profi table.” These an at the time 13-year-old boy: “In the mous mineral oil requirements of the transports were thus not directly middle of the wagons […] lay dead German war machine. In the end, connected with the later evacuation bodies piled up like wood! In some though, oil was only produced on a of the “Desert” camps in the face cases they were stacked more than barely noteworthy scale: out of 96 of the French advance. The decision half the height of the side walls. In the tons of rock, only one ton of hardly was made in late March 1945 in the last two wagons, there were only dead usable oil was extracted. In return, the SS-Wirtschafts- und Verwaltungs- bodies, and that up to the top edge.” undertaking cost countless lives. In hauptamt (SS Main Economic and The suffering was not over in Dachau- the course, the concentration camp Administrative Offi ce) in Berlin. In a Allach; inmates died immediately upon inmates from all over Europe utilized bout of mad delusion, it was ap- arrival in Allach or in the days before for this project were exposed to parently believed that a success of the camp’s liberation. Some prisoners unspeakable conditions. Operation “Desert” was still possible. were again evacuated by train or sent

61 on “Todesmärsche” (“death marches”) The departure came as a surprise to behind due to exhaustion were shot to towards the Alps. Others experienced the prisoners. They must have percei- death by their guards. their liberation by Americans troops in ved that journey into uncertainty as The prisoners who made it to the Allach in early May 1945. threatening. There were also rumors Bavarian-Austrian border area were The actual evacuation of the about a planned shooting of the only freed by US troops relatively late, “Desert” camps took place between prisoners at Lake Constance. The mar- around April 28 to 30, 1945. Most April 16 and 18, 1945, with French ches were mostly carried out at night “Desert” prisoners were liberated on troops moving in ever closer. There because of possible air raids, but some the march by French troops around was probably an order to take the columns seem to have been on the April 22. The last hours before their remaining prisoners and leave imme- move during the day as well. liberation were experienced quite diately towards the east. The camps in differently by the inmates. At times Dautmergen, Schömberg, Schörzin- the prisoners were in danger of being gen, and the Spaichingen concentrati- liquidated in the last hour; in one case on camp – also a satellite camp of near Ostrach, SS men intended to set Natzweiler – were the starting points fi re to a barn with prisoners inside. The for the “death marches.” For the concentration camp inmates’ reports inmates, it was a surprising and about their actual liberation are some- chaotic departure. After the prisoners times phrased quite succinctly: “We had been provided with some food, arrived in Ostrach on Sunday morning, marching columns of 50 to 300 men April 22, 1945. Our remaining group set out from Dautmergen, Schörzin- consisted of about 200 prisoners. gen, and Schömberg in the evening of During the day, we were housed in April 18, probably mostly between 6 two barns on the outskirts of Ostrach. and 9 p.m., and were accompanied by In the course of the afternoon, […] camp personnel and guards. Cauti- French troops—tank units—came. As ously estimated, from 1,500 to they approached, the SS men defected perhaps up to 2,500 prisoners were and left us behind. That’s how I was sent on “death marches.” Some sick The Polish writer Tadeusz Borowski (1922– liberated. After our group had been inmates or prisoners who were hiding 1951) was a prisoner in the Dautmergen broken up in Ostrach, every prisoner stayed behind in the camps and were concentration camp. In April 1945 he was left in a different direction and probab- liberated there. transported by train to Dachau-Allach. The ly looked for shelter.” The prisoners’ marching columns photo shows him in Munich after liberation. Another prisoner experienced his took different routes towards the east. (Archive photo: Anatol Girs) liberation in Ostrach as follows: According to survivors’ statements, “Suddenly they said, ‘The SS has possible destinations of the marches During the “Desert” marches, the gone!’ So I looked around and there might have been Dachau near Munich guards showed once more their cruel was actually no SS man left, but there or the imaginary Alpenfestung (“Al- behavior, similar to other “death also were no French troops yet. The pine Fortress”) or even the Mauthau- marches.” It is not possible, though, place seemed deserted, like a ghost sen concentration camp in Austria. to generalize. Often, the treatment town. Fearing the return of the SS, Some marches did indeed end in the and rations were very bad. Inmates the prisoners went into hiding. The Füssen, Marktoberndorf, or Innsbruck were beaten by the guards. An next day, the French arrived with area, close to the Alps. The marches unspecifi ed number of concentration jeeps. They gave us food; many died were chaotic and haphazard. Sad proof camp prisoners managed to escape of it. The French meant well, but of the actual courses of the marches is during these marches; the SS guards people were so hungry that they ate provided by the documentation of were simply too weak in number to everything and fast and a lot of it and corpses found along the routes. be able to exercise complete control. that didn’t do all of them good. […] Camp personnel and guards of the At times, however, it also happened Then we parted; the thing was over.” “Desert” camps accompanied the that escapes were tacitly tolerated. The The fact that the inmates did not marching columns. What happened to escaped prisoners stayed in the woods experience their liberation in such an the individual marching groups or hid with farmers and awaited the emotionless way as some later depended greatly on the respective invading French troops. The escapees, accounts might suggest is shown by accompanying personnel. There were though, were under constant danger the following statement: “At 2 p.m. large individual differences. Some of being seized and shot by SS or the fi rst French armored cars moved perpetrators behaved cruelly until the Wehrmacht units and therefore had to into Ostrach and we were liberated. very end, with many prisoners being stay alert. In many cases, prisoners The scenes that took place were very shot to death. Others behaved more were shot. Later, criminal investigations moving. The prisoners were crazy humanely and refrained from shoo- clearly identifi ed the bodies as having with joy. Finally, the moment of ting inmates or even tolerated at- been shot in the neck. Inmates who liberation had come. I will never tempted escapes. could not go any further and remained forget that feeling!”

62 In Times of Corona: 75 Years After the Liberation of the Operation “Desert” Concentration Camp Survivors

Heide Friederichs, Rottweil. Translated by Benedict von Bremen

“Never again war!” German artist concentration camp cemetery was sup- dear friend of ours who unfortunately Käthe Kollwitz’s 1924 appeal, which posed to be committed to this date. In passed away, it had been a heart-felt remains unanswered to this day, this year’s invitation, Brigitta Marquart- desire to pass on his legacy to the was the motto of the Initiative Ge- Schad, chairwoman of the Eckerwald next generation: that this terror denkstätte Eckerwald’s (Eckerwald Memorial Site Association, had written, should not be repeated but that Memorial Site Association) meeting “Thousands of inmates of the ‘Desert’ friendship should unite the peoples! week with international guests and camps were not able to experience In memory of him and of all our contemporary witnesses in April 2020. the liberation. They had suffered from friends, a performance with secondary But the meeting week and the main hunger, cold, and epidemics; they had school students from Rottweil under commemoration ceremony—this year become victims of catastrophic con- the direction of Gerhard Lempp was at the Schömberg concentration camp ditions, exploitation, and terror. And planned under this year’s motto cemetery—had to be canceled due to for those who had survived, liberation “Never again war.” Some names of the Corona pandemic. Early on, it was came only after the murderous exer- inmates who died in the Dautmergen clear for the Initiative that it could not tions of the death marches.” concentration camp were supposed to expect its few contemporary wit- Dr. Andreas Zekorn, director of the be recited and texts they had left nesses from Poland and its guests from Zollernalb District Archives, was behind were supposed to be read. Norway, Slovenia, the Netherlands, supposed to give the main speech on One of those who survived the France, Luxembourg, Austria, Hungary, the topic of the dissolution of the Dautmergen concentration camp was and Switzerland to make the trip. The “Desert” camps. Survivors of the Tadeusz Borowski, born on November Eckerwald Memorial Site Association “Desert” camps Schörzingen, Schöm- 12, 1922 in Schytomyr. He died in has been organizing these weeks of berg, and Dautmergen and their Warsaw on July 3, 1951 at the age of encounter since 1995; 2020 was the relatives were supposed to address 29. He concludes the last verse of his fi rst time that this always very moving their greetings to us. Over the past poem with the words: commemoration could not take place. years, survivors have visited schools to 75 years after the end of World pass on their very own personal “Thus I lie in the barracks, I, glorifi er War II, 75 years after the dissolution testimonies of the criminal Nazi of human life, of the concentration camps and the regime. This year, visits to eight Like the fl ight of birds, I grasp with “liberation” of the prisoners of the schools in the three districts of my fi ngers myth, legend, Unternehmen “Wüste” (Operation Tuttlingen, Zollernalb, and Rottweil I search in vain for a sign in human “Desert”) complex along the former were supposed to take place. For eyes, railway line from Rottweil to Tübingen, Jacek Zieliniewicz from Bydgoszcz/ There are only shovels and earth, the memorial service at the Schömberg Poland, a contemporary witness and a soup and trembling hands.”

Members of the board and ad- visory board of the Eckerwald Memorial Site Association lay fl owers for the deceased on the date of the cancelled memorial service on April 26, 2020 at the concentration camp cemete- ry Schömberg. From left: Gerhard Lempp, Helga Hanisch and Wil- li Koch. (Courtesy Heide Friederichs)

Contact: Brigitta Marquard-Schad Bergstraße 18, 78586 Deilingen Tel. +49 74 26-88 87 [email protected] www.eckerwald.de

63 The Museum Bisingen: Re-Opened in 2019 Dieter Grupp, Bisingen

For quite some time the “Verein Gedenkstätten KZ Bisingen“ had not been really satisfi ed with the exhi- bition in the museum that had been installed in 1996 and remodeled in 2004. The visitors had to read a lot of texts that were printed on boards; besides, a couple of photographs, some exhibits – not really what you expect from a museum these days, especially because the most visitors are students from the High Schools in the area. Therefore a basic remodeling seemed necessary. Roman Waizeneg- ger, the mayor of Bisingen, supported the project from the very beginning and asked the “Verein Gedenkstätten KZ Bisingen“ to develop a concept for the museum that is owned by the local authority of Bisingen The Verein scheduled a workshop in The Museum outside: an old farmhouse in the middle of the village. October 2017, and the members collected and discussed ideas how to rework the exhibition. It quickly became clear that the space of the entrance area will still be needed for events of the “Verein” and that this room should at the same time be used as an introduction to the museum’s topics in the future. The other rooms which are a lot smaller were to be dedicated to special topics like “The Inmates”, “The Perpetrators”, “The By-standers: The Village” and “After the Camp”. The workshop was subdivided into subgroups who dealt with these topics and started to develop specifi c designs for the particular rooms. These designs were discussed again and again in the main group and thus scrutinized and improved. Meanwhile the concept was presen- The fi rst workshop (October 2017). ted to the local council by the Verein’s chairpersons Dieter Grupp and Ines “Verein” wanted to realize anyway. time the concepts became more and Mayer, and at the same time a fi rst It was agreed that the cost of the more refi ned. It was not easy to sketch by Herwig Schneider, the new remodeling would be shared: The reconcile the very theoretical ideas museum’s designer, was shown. The local authority (as the owner of the (based on historical research) with the local council agreed that the old museum) was to bear two thirds of practical implementation (based on museum was a little outdated, it the costs, the “Verein” (who operates the historic farm house the museum is endorsed the “Verein’s” concept and the museum) was to bear the remai- located in and based on the amount commissioned the “Verein” to come ning third. of money that was at stake: 150,000 up with details for the implementa- During the following months the Euro). More than one compromise tion, with a focus on a modern digital “Verein” started to fi nd sponsors who had to be found. The ”Verein“ always presentation of contents – an idea the could pay for its share. At the same was counselled by Herwig Schneider,

64 Offi cial opening ceremon: The audience (Hohenzollernhalle, Bisingen). The keynote speaker Jens-Christian Wagner. head of the design company “Design the schools. The Museum was not and the “Verein” have been present und mehr”. Text were formulated, closed down until the mid of Novem- at the ceremony: Christine Glauning, pictures were selected, decisions were ber 2018 to be re-opened in June who planned the fi rst exhibition in made when it came to exhibits, to 2019. 1996 and is now the director of the digital presentations – and a full- After the creative work of designing documentation center on NS forced fl edged concept was developed to a new museum had been completed, labor in Berlin-Schöneweide; convince the local council in July 2018 the drudgery of going over the same Silvia Pauli, the granddaughter of the to unanimously vote for a fi nal texts over and over again (and former camp commandant Johannes mandate to the remodeling. During fi nding the same typos over and Pauli; and Claire Vosk, the daughter the time of research the “Verein” had over…) started. The new furniture, of Otto Gunsberger, one of the a lot of support: Andreas Zekorn, which had been designed for the concentration camp’s surviving keeper of the county’s archives, museum, was produced, cabinets for inmates, who came from Australia contributed a lot of knowledge and the exhibits were installed and what together with two of her sons. acquired all videos from the Shoah started as a concept in the brain of Foundation that are relevant to the the “Verein’s” active members fi nally The Address of Claire Vosk Bisingen concentration camp; inhabi- became a three-dimensional exhibiti- at the Opening Ceremony of the New tants of Bisingen even brought new on: digitally state of the art, using the Museum in Bisingen objects that had been stored on the idea of story-telling as a consistent Thank you for inviting me to talk attic; one afternoon the “Verein” concept, integrating many three- to you today, it is a great honour to invited local witnesses of the past to dimensional interactive elements, continue the legacy of my late father. tell their (childhood) story. based on the latest scientifi c fi ndings. It was important to Otto and our fa- After the unanimous vote the The group who planned the new mily that good people insure that the “Verein” started to implement the museum was quite rightly proud of Museum can continue its important plans. The subgroups who were still the result. work educating and informing people responsible for the accuracy of On 2 June 2019 the museum was about the more diffi cult aspects of contents and the research for all kinds offi cially re-opened by an offi cial our past, so that we can pave a better of media in the single rooms had to ceremony: The Mayor of Bisingen, way for future generations. stay in contact with each other and Roman Waizenegger, started with a My father‘s experiences throughout meet frequently to adjust their results. welcoming address, followed by the Holocaust shaped the way we all Texts had to be collated, reworked, representative of the county (Zoller- grew up. Despite emigrating to synchronized and last but not least nalbkreis) and the keynote speaker Australia over 16,000 kilometers shortened. Because time was fl ying, Jens-Christian Wagner, chairman of away from the atrocities that took some craftsperson’s jobs had to be the ”Stiftung niedersächsische Ge- place my Mum and Dad still feared done: new sockets, supply lines, light denkstätten” talked about the central persecution and did not engage with concepts, a dry wall. At this time the question: “What is the aim of a the Jewish community in Melbourne museum still was open to the public museum dealing with National until they started to feel safe again. because the “Verein” didn’t want to Socialism?” Through my early childhood they disappoint the long-term visitors from Many friends of the memorial site avoided teaching me the cultural

65 something as terrible as a holocaust the inmates died? Were the perpetra- can have. tors punished? Did the population of One thing my father‘s experiences Bisingen know about that? How did have taught me was to be accepting they feel? Some of these questions and tolerant of other people and their can be answered easily (the duration circumstances. of the camp) or not so easily (know- Otto was never one to let the ledge of the population) – but these horrible things that happened to him questions are supposed to meet the in the concentration camps defi ne visitors’ disposition to the topic of him. After being so close to death for the museum. The clear answers are so long, he left, not only a survivor, given to the left of that main pro- but a lover of what it truly meant to jection on three screens showing be alive. He realised the importance original pictures and unambiguous of moving on and looking forward. facts on a rotating basis. On the right Thankfully he was able to do so hand side you can see two very large through his family, his love of classi- aerial views on Bisingen, one of 1945 cal music, the arts and all that life and of 2016 for comparison: where had to offer. I was truly blessed to had the camp been, where was the have such a strong and truly inspirati- working place of the inmates, how far onal role model. was the village away from the camp, It‘s more important than ever to which buildings are still at the same remember these things today, espe- place (e.g. the station) – an arrange- Claire Vosk, daughter of Otto Gunsberger cially with Brexit, Trump and the ment that appeals a lot to the visitor (left), and Ines Mayer, Chairman of the Verein swing of Right Wing Politics because it shows the palimpsest-like Gedenkstätten Bisingen e.V. sweeping the world. existence of the camp even in today’s Arts culture learning were all structures. ways of Judaism out of fear. It was instilled into us. The fi rst theme room a visitor only when I was 12 that I began to But most of all the values of being usually enters is the inmates’ room – a fi nd out about our history and what a close family and having good design choice deliberately taken by exactly had happened. friendships. the concept team because we believe Throughout my childhood I always that the inmates deserve the most felt I did not belong, I was taught not What You Can See in the New attention of the visitors. In that room to bring attention to myself as people Museum in Bisingen you get to know the story of Isak don‘t like the Jewish people. So I When you enter the new museum a Wasserstein, one of the more than didn‘t speak up for myself as a child large room opens in front of you and 4,000 inmates that had been held – too shy – it is only in my older years you see a projection on each wall: captive in Bisingen. Isak Wasserstein that I have learnt to speak out a bit on the main wall: there is a set of survived not only the ghetto of more. And to know that my opinions questions that might bring a visitor Warsaw, his hometown, but also nine are worth listening to. to Bisingen, e.g.: Why was there a more concentration camps (among It‘s only in my adult years that I concentration camp in Bisingen? How others Majdanek and Auschwitz). realise the importance of belonging in long has that camp been in Bisingen There is one quote about each of society and how great an impact for? Who was there? How many of these camps that are shown on a

Entrance room: Screens with unambiguous facts and pictures

66 stylized map, drawn on a picket fence. Next to it Isak Wasserstein tells a story about his incarceration in Bisingen on a video screen. What we used here is one of the videos of the Shoah Foundation. Altogether we show more than 30 of these videos on a video touch table that is in the center of that room – every visitor can choose which video he wants to watch. The videos are usually in English, some of the are in French and in Hebrew – all videos are subtitled in German. On steles the visitors can read about the life of an inmate in the camp. In the next room the big lie of the Bisingen concentration camp is unmasked: There was no oil, at least Entrance room: two aerial views of Bisingen, 1945 and 2016. not in suffi cient amounts. The visitors can fi nd that out for themselves by moving a sliding door back and forth. Here the visitor can fi nd out about the industrial project that triggered the camps of the so-called ”Unternehmen ’Wüste‘“. There is a big touch screen on which you can navigate through many aerial views, historical views and background information on the insane project to get oil out of the slate. From there, visitors enters the perpetrators’ room. Here they meet with those responsible for the crimes, the slave work and the victims of the Bisingen camp. The visitor can learn about the complex and polycratic structure of the dictatorial regime, represented by the companies and corporations that even earned money The inmate’s room: the odyssey of the inmate Isak Wasserstein is depicted on a picket fence marking with the inmates of the Bisingen the 13 concentration camps he has survived and showing the correlation between the camp in Bisin- camp. They also get to know the gen and those in Poland and Belarus. biography of two leading offi cials of the camp and can watch a video about one of the staff who retrospec- tively tells the story of “where he had to kill an inmate” – a perspective incredibly irritating. From here, the next room discusses the complex topic of by-standers. The zones between being involved and not involved in the concentration camp merge: some of the inhabitants in Bisingen profi ted from the camp, some kids traded food against hand- made wooden toys, some just wat- ched – all of the 2,500 inhabitants knew. The inmates walked through the village on a daily basis, some had Displays in the inmates’ room contrasting quotes of the survivors (screens) with scientifi c research to help on local projects, some even (beneath).

67 Left: Perpetrators’ room: Franz Johann Hof- mann, head of the concentration camps in the area.

Rigth: By-standers’room. worked for them – like the story of an and more important over the last lives and is an important aspect of inmate tailor, who made a coat for a decades. The room shows a long Bisingen’s identity to this very day. woman working at the town hall; and timeline starting in 1945 and ending that woman even went into to the in the present. According to the topics The Museum Bisingen camp to get measured up for that in the rooms before, the groups of (www.museum-bisingen.de) can be coat by the inmate. This story is told inmates, perpetrators and by-standers visited every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 by the very woman herself in an audio are depicted and the phases and p.m. or at any time by appointment that can be listened to in this room. turning points of commemoration in with the museum’s agent (museum@ Finally, visitors enter the post-histo- Germany and in Bisingen are marked. bisingen.de or phone: +49 74 76 / 89 ry room: What happened to the Three layers in a curved band tell the 6–4 14 (on Mondays and Tuesdays). survivors? What happened to the visitor what happened to inmates like Guided Tours are also administrated perpetrators? And how did the village Otto Gunsberger, like Isak Wasser- by the museum’s agents. of Bisingen deal with the legacy of stein, to the Head of the camp – how There is no entrance fee. having had a concentration camp? the experience of the concentration These questions have become more camp was decisive for their further

Room Post-History: entwined bands of history. (All Photos: Courtesy Gedenkstätten KZ Bisingen e.V.)

68 “From the Point of View of Humanity and Helping”. Ingeborg Ziebarth: From Berlin to Balingen

Dr. Michael Walther, Balingen 1. Translated by Benedict von Bremen

“I had not been told when I was laying in Erzingen. The company had its of- in my cradle, which stood in a western fi ce in the main barracks of a concen- suburb of the cosmopolitan city of tration camp in Erzingen which was Berlin, that 28 years later, as a real part of the Unternehmen “Wüste” Berliner, I would fi nd refuge in a small (Operation “Desert”). As she herself village [Tieringen] in the Swabian Jura noted, she was not happy about her and, after the war with its destruction, new employer, but she probably had hardships, and misery, [a] home. Until no way of refusing this job. 1944, I had neither known nor heard anything about the village or the near- The Erzingen Satellite Camp by town [Balingen].” The concentration camp in Erzingen Thus begin Ingeborg Ziebarth’s was one of a total of seven satellite memoirs, written in 1977 on a total of camps of the main Natzweiler-Strut- eleven typewritten pages with many hof concentration camp in Alsace. handwritten corrections, which can be They had been built as part of a shale found in the Balingen City Archives.2 oil project (1942–1944) and the Ope- This is one of the few testimonies ration “Desert” (1944–1945).5 The about the life and work of an unusual camp was located near the Erzingen woman. railway station in today’s Erlenstraße. Ingeborg Ziebarth was born on June Ingeborg Ziebarth 1941. (Courtesy Balingen The inmates had to work in a “De- 28, 1916 in Berlin-Südende (Steglitz) City Archives) sert” plant under construction in the as the daughter of banking clerk Paul Erzingen township. This plant, Werk Ziebarth and his wife Margarethe née rucksack and suitcase, we set off on 4, was one of ten “Desert” plants in Toepfer. She had an older brother our train journey, which was often which mineral oil was to be extracted named Wolf (born 1914). After interrupted by air-raid alarms. But we from oil shale found at the foot of the attending elementary school, she made it to our destination.”3 In the Swabian Jura. More than 3,500 priso- entered the Franziskus-Oberlyzeum, a house provided by their friends, ners lost their lives in the process. secondary school for girls, in Berlin- however, there were already people The Erzingen satellite camp was a Schöneberg on Easter 1926, which who had lost their apartments in so-called “Nacht-und-Nebel-Lager” she left on Easter 1935 after acquiring Stuttgart, also as a result of the air (“night and fog camp”). The prisoners her Abitur diploma. war. The two women looked for, and In 1935, her father died at barely 50 eventually found, another place to 1 https://www.akwueste.de/ years of age. In the spring of the stay in Tieringen: during the day, they 2 Stadtarchiv Balingen (Balingen City Archives): Bestand NA – Ziebarth, “Erinnerungen” (hence following year, the family moved to could stay in a house with a small gro- “Bequest Ziebarth“). In addition, the Balingen City Rheydt in the Rhineland. In the years cery store; at night, mother and Archives hold a so-called “Zeitzeugeninterview” before the beginning of World War II, daughter found a place to stay at an (“contemporary witness interview”) with Ingeborg Ziebarth conducted by Margarete Steinhart on Ingeborg Ziebarth trained as a photo acquaintance of the grocery store’s December 12, 1988. laboratory assistant. She then worked owner who provided them with a 3 “Erinnerungen”. 4 “Zeitzeugeninterview”. in Rheydt as a laboratory assistant and sleeping place in her house’s attic. 5 On the Erzingen concentration camp and Ingeborg photographer until 1943. About four months later, the two Ziebarth, cf. Immo Opfermann, Jan, ist der Führer In September 1944, the family’s moved to Weilstetten where they tot? Portraits und Glückwunschkarten im KZ Erzingen (Bad Schussenried 2016); Immo Opfermann, Porträts apartment was destroyed in a bom- occupied a room with a kitchen in the und Glückwunschkarten im KZ Erzingen (Gäufelden bing raid. Until the end of the war, Gasthof Ritter inn. After a further stop 2012) , last ac- cess May 11, 2020; Immo Opfermann, “Dokumente had been killed in action in the Soviet to move into an apartment in Richt- des Überlebenswillens. Geburtstagskarten und Union in 1941 – were forced to hofenstraße in Balingen where Inge- Kalender aus dem Konzentrationslager Erzingen,” 4 in: Schwäbische Heimat No. 2 (2013), pp. 133-141; accept the offer from friends in borg Ziebarth lived until her death. Immo Opfermann (ed.), Das Unternehmen „Wüste“. Stuttgart to live temporarily in their In late 1944, Ingeborg Ziebarth had Ölschieferwerke und Konzentrationslager entlang weekend house in Tieringen in what to register with the Balingen employ- der Bahnlinie Tübingen-Rottweil 1944/45. Leitfaden und Materialien zur Ausstellung in der ehemaligen was then the Balingen regional ment offi ce and was assigned a job as Baracke auf dem Gelände des Oberschulamtes district. an offi ce clerk for the SS-owned Ge- Tübingen 7.5.–31.7.1997 (Balingen 1997). Whether the satellite camp’s inmates also had to work in the “With only a few belongings, sellschaft Deutsche Schieferöl GmbH second “Desert” plant in the Erzingen township wearing multiple dresses, carrying (German Shale Oil Corporation Ltd.) (Werk 5 in Bonbachtal) has not yet been confi rmed.

69 had been suspected of resistance Isaak Wirschup from Lithuania who distributed not only in the German against the German occupiers and had been specially requested for this Reich but also in some of the neigh- came from Western European coun- task from Dautmergen, another boring occupied countries. In addition tries occupied by the German Reich; in “Desert” concentration camp. Accor- to Julien Lievevrouw, whose resistance Erzingen, they were mainly from ding to Immo Opfermann, “drawings, groups had copied von Galen’s France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and small works of art on cards and sermons and distributed them in Norway. “Night and fog” prisoners calendars” were created in this Belgium, the Erzingen camp also were deported to concentration camps drawing offi ce by prisoners for housed Dutch prisoners who had unknown to their relatives and were to prisoners as expression of the will to circulated von Galen’s sermons. This disappear forever. This measure served survive and of humanity.8 similarity between some of the to intimidate the populations of the Ingeborg Ziebarth began working in inmates and the German civilian occupied territories. this very special environment on employee Ziebarth certainly helped to According to Immo Opfermann’s December 1, 1944.9 quickly establish a certain degree of speech at the inauguration of the closeness between them.12 Erzingen memorial stelae on May 3, Humanity and Civil Courage Ingeborg Ziebarth helped in many 2015, the Erzingen satellite camp was Ingeborg Ziebarth “abhorred the war ways. She supplied the prisoners with “an unusual concentration camp. and despised Hitler and his barba- cigarettes and food, for example by Certain factors came together which ric regime,” according to Dr. Léon organizing bread from the local enabled the prisoners to survive and Boutbien, prisoner and former camp farmers before starting her workday in which helped to mitigate atrocities doctor of the Erzingen satellite camp, the camp. She also cooked for the and injustice.”6 Food and shelter were in a speech in 1990. Today, over 25 prisoners. The “spiritual” supply of much better than in the larger “De- years after her death, it is no longer the prisoners included prayer books sert” camps (mainly the ones in possible to understand in detail where and literature by or about Goethe Bisingen and Dautmergen). Neverthe- Ingeborg Ziebarth’s attitude towards which she bought in a bookstore and less, the prisoners suffered from humanity and compassion, coupled passed on. During a visit to her old malnutrition and, especially during with a large portion of civil courage, home in Berlin just before Christmas winter, from poor clothing. The stemmed from. The early death of her 1944, she had the priest of her local prisoner society was far more homo- brother, who had died as an offi cer in parish give her consecrated hosts for geneous in its structure in terms of the Soviet Union, certainly strengthe- Julien Lievevrouw so that he could origin and nationality, which led to a ned her resistant attitude. Most receive Holy Communion on Christ- very special feeling of cohesion likely, her critical attitude towards the mas—the Balingen priest had refused among the inmates. National Socialists also had to do with this request of Lievevrouw. Moreover, During the construction of a camp her faith, which accompanied her Ingeborg Ziebarth hid letters from an for prisoners of war who were also to throughout her life, attested to not Erzingen inmate, although she then work on the “Desert” construction only by attendance of the Oberlyze- gave them to Balingen photographer sites, Alemannic row graves had been um secondary school in Berlin. Accor- Hans Schmid for safekeeping because discovered on the nearby “Hunger- dingly, the Zollern-Alb-Kurier news- she feared a house search.13 berg.” Thereupon SS-Hauptsturmfüh- paper from Balingen reported in her rer (captain) and “Wehrgeologe” obituary that Ingeborg Ziebarth “took 6 , last access May 11, 2020. (military geologist) Wilhelm Jordan an active part in the Catholic congre- 7 Dana Schlegelmilch, “Zwischen staatlicher Denkmal- was commissioned by SS-Obergrup- gation” until she passed away.11 pfl ege, SS-Wehrgeologie und Kulturgutraub. Hein- penführer (three-star-general) Oswald Quite fi ttingly, Clemens August Graf rich Himmler und sein Wewelsburger SS-Archäologe Wilhelm Jordan (1903–1983),” in: Susanne Grun- Pohl, the head of the SS-Wirtschafts- von Galen (1878-1946), future bishop wald, Uta Halle, Dirk Mahsarski, Karin Reichenbach verwaltungshauptamt (SS Main of Münster and cardinal of the Roman (eds.), Die Spur des Geldes in der Prähistorischen Archäologie. Mäzene – Förderer – Förderstrukturen Economic and Administrative Offi ce) Catholic Church, had been one of her (Bielefeld 2016), pp. 121–171. and shareholder of Deutsche Schiefer- religious education teachers at the Ca- 8 Opfermann, Dokumente des Überlebenswillens, p. öl, to examine and catalog the fi nds.7 tholic Franziskus-Oberlyzeum in 135. The drawings are reproduced in: Opfermann, Jan, ist der Führer tot? and Opfermann, Porträts und Jordan set up his drawing offi ce in the Berlin. In 1909 Graf von Galen was Glückwunschkarten. offi ce of the camp commander, appointed vicar and in 1919 parish 9 The contract of employment, signed by SS-Ober- sturmführer (fi rst lieutenant) Hans Jacobi—the SS-Oberscharführer (staff sergeant) priest at St. Matthias church parish in authorized signatory of Deutsche Schieferöl GmbH— Joseph Olesch. In addition to two Berlin-Schöneberg and was active in and Ingeborg Ziebarth was probably concluded soldiers who were probably deployed the German capital until 1929. In the subsequently, as it is dated January 1, 1945 (Bequest Ziebarth). to help during the excavations, two summer of 1941, Bishop Graf von 10 1990 speech by Léon Boutbien (Bequest Ziebarth). concentration camp prisoners tasked Galen, a critical and independent 11 November 23, 1993 Zollern-Alb-Kurier. to draw copies of the fi nds also spirit, denounced the Nazi state’s 12 Opfermann, Jan, ist der Führer tot?, pp. 37f; Katholische Kirchengemeinde Sankt Matthias Berlin- worked in this offi ce. These inmates confi scation of monasteries, the terror Schöneberg , last were the city architect of the Belgian methods of the Gestapo, and the access May 5, 2020. 13 On the consecrated hosts, see Opfermann, Jan, ist city of Ghent, Julien Lievevrouw, and euthanasia murders in three famous der Führer tot?, p. 90 and the contemporary witness Vilnius-born Jewish mathematician sermons. These sermons were widely interview with I. Ziebarth. On the inmate’s letters,

70 Her account of how she helped the prisoners in the concentration camp at great risk to her own well-being, perhaps even her life, paints the picture of a courageous woman who always sided with those who are weaker. She quickly revealed her opposition to the National Socialist regime to her superior, Wilhelm Jordan. According to Ingeborg Ziebarth’s account, he shared many of her political views, although this assessment could be doubted. Immo Opfermann’s assessment seems more probable: that Jordan subordinated his scientifi c reputation and his thirst for research to his thoroughly pro- nounced National Socialist beliefs. He appreciated the work of the two inmates and also that of Ingeborg Ziebarth, and, in the end, it seems that, to him, their work was more important than possibly losing it by way of punitive measures. This is also confi rmed by new research attesting Jordan a purpose-oriented relationship with the forced laborers who were auxiliaries at his disposal not only in Erzingen. Jordan’s attitude, which Dana Schlegelmilch, author of the study, attributes to a lack of empathy,14 was typical of the prevai- ling attitude of most Germans during World War II. Forced laborers, most of whom had been abducted against their will and were completely desti- tute of any rights, were primarily seen as cheap labor without which the Ger- Thank you card from Julien Lievevrouw for Ingeborg Ziebarth with a drawing of the Erzingen man (war) economy would no longer concentration camp. (Courtesy Balingen City Archives) have functioned – Germany had long since developed into a slave-owning Jordan, her superior, came to the shows the great esteem in which the state! Or as the German Federal rescue and prevented Ziebarth’s likely prisoners must have kept Ingeborg Archives writes on their website about punishment. Ziebarth. the history of forced labor under The prisoners thanked Ingeborg The Erzingen camp was evacuated National Socialism: “Forced labor was Ziebarth with birthday or holiday in two stages. On March 21, 1945, an ongoing public injustice in the Nazi cards. At her wish, Isaak Wirschup thanks to the rescue operation of the state which was not perceived as such also produced a painting of Wolf Vice-President of the Swedish Red by the majority of the population. Ziebarth, Ingeborg’s brother who had Cross, Count Folke Bernadotte, the Almost sixty years had to pass before died in the Soviet Union in 1941, Scandinavian prisoners – twenty-one German society across the board dealt which the concentration camp inmate with this topic and discovered guilt made by using a photo as model. see “Bescheinigung von Ingeborg Ziebarth für den not only on the part of entrepreneurs How hard must it have been for Isaak Fotografen Hans Schmid vom 1. November 1946” 15 (Bequest Ziebarth). and public authorities.” Wirschup, whose wife and child had 14 Opfermann, Jan, ist der Führer tot?, pp. 34f; Schle- Ingeborg Ziebarth’s activities were been shot before his eyes by SS men gelmilch, Wilhelm Jordan, pp. 140f. not without danger. In her memoirs, or perhaps by Wehrmacht soldiers, to 15 German Federal Archives, Zwangsarbeit im NS-Staat , she reports that she was once caught draw the portrait of a German in last access May 5, 2020. by the camp commandant—probably uniform who, on top of all this, had 16 Both painting and photo are reproduced in: Opfermann, Porträts und Glückwunschkarten, pp. Joseph Olesch – while slipping also seen service in the Soviet 12f. The original painting can be found in Ingeborg something to an inmate. Wilhelm Union?16 This episode once more Ziebarth‘s bequest in the Balingen City Archives.

71 Norwegians and one Dane – were Ingeborg Ziebarth as released. On April 13, 1945, the editorial secretary at the remaining inmates were taken in Zollern-Alb-Kurier. railway carriages to the Dachau-Allach (Courtesy Zollern-Alb- Kurier) satellite concentration camp.17 Geolo- gist Wilhelm Jordan traveled to his family in Westphalia. Until March 1948, he was interned in various camps. In his denazifi cation procee- dings, he was sentenced to eight months in prison and a fi ne, among until the end of other things for “exploitation of 1954. From January concentration camp prisoners.”18 1 to December 31, 1955, Ingeborg The Post-War Period Ziebarth worked as Before his transport to Dachau-Allach, a foreign correspon- Ingeborg Ziebarth received a letter of dent for the Wilhelm Beuter Uhren- home countries but occasionally also recommendation from Léon Boutbien. fabrik clock factory company in in Erzingen, for example in 1956, The letter is unfortunately not inclu- Rosenfeld in the Balingen regional 1988, and 1990. Ingeborg Ziebarth ded in her bequest but will have been district. The serious illness of her was always invited to these meetings, worded similarly to a letter from Julien mother forced Ingeborg to give up and she frequently attended them. Lievevrouw dated October 3, 1946, this job and look for employment in The meetings in Balingen were partly which states: “Ingeborg Ziebarth […] Balingen. From January 1, 1956 on, organized by her. showed an admirable attitude towards Ingeborg Ziebarth worked as an On November 21, 1993, Ingeborg the prisoners; despite the danger to editorial secretary for the Balinger Ziebarth died after a serious illness in which she was exposed, she helped Volksfreund newspaper (today’s Balingen. wherever possible to relieve the Zollern-Alb-Kurier). She retired on Unfortunately, Ingeborg Ziebarth, inmates’ misery by all means. I plead June 30, 1976.20 despite the urging of her former the French authorities to be kind “protégés,” never brought herself to enough to take note of this statement. International Understanding record and publish her experiences. The young lady in question deserves In August 1945, Léon Boutbien rode a She did not attach much importance not only preferential treatment but bicycle from Dachau to Balingen spe- to herself and her actions. Therefore, also a great reward. She has helped cifi cally to see Ingeborg Ziebarth. On Immo Opfermann was probably the Belgian, Dutch, French, Jewish, Po- behalf of all former Erzingen prisoners fi rst to evaluate her bequest and who lish, and Russian prisoners.”19 who had fi nally been liberated by the also set a monument to Ingeborg Because of Léon Boutben’s letter, U.S. Army in Dachau, he expressed Ziebarth in several publications on Ingeborg Ziebahrt was employed from his gratitude for her help, courage, Operation “Desert” and the Erzingen time to time as an interpreter by the and bravery. That same year, Ingeborg satellite concentration camp. French headquarters during the fi rst Ziebarth and her mother received an Ingeborg Ziebarth belonged to a months of the occupation. She invitation from Léon Boutbien to Paris minority of Germans who did not see continued to help where she could, where the two women were accom- their actions as resistance but as a this time German petitioners to the modated at Boutbien’s parents and matter of course. She stands as an French authorities. However, she fi rst Ingeborg Ziebarth met many of her example that there are always, even earned her living by working for the former “protégés” again. under a terrorist regime, alternative Photo-Schmid company in Balingen’s These meetings, which began only a paths of action possible. Bahnhofstraße. On August 1, 1946, few months after the end of the Nazi she was, also through the intercession terror regime, were a fi rst and at the 17 Andreas Zekorn, “Ende mit Schrecken – Die Räu- mung der Lager des Unternehmens ‘Wüste’ im April of her former “protégés,” hired as time barely perceptible sign that 1945,” in: Gedenkstätten-Rundschau No. 14 (March secretary and interpreter by the French peaceful coexistence between nations 2015), pp. 1-12 , last access civilian employees were allowed to years later that state treaties were May 11, 2020; Andreas Zekorn, “Zivilarbeiter statt work for the French military govern- signed between the Federal Republic Häftlinge. Die Räumung der Lager des Unterneh- mens ‘Wüste’ im April 1945,” in: Heimatkundliche ment at that time. After the dissolu- of Germany and its (western) neigh- Blätter Vol. 62 (2015), pp. 1937–1942. tion of the French district delegation in bors: the 1952 treaty establishing the 18 Schlegelmilch, Wilhelm Jordan, p. 163. Balingen in early 1952, the French “European Coal and Steel Communi- 19 The letter was translated from French into German by Immo Opfermann and is quoted in: Opfermann, regional commissariat in Tübingen ty” in 1952 or the Franco-West Jan, ist der Führer tot?, p. 40. transferred Ingeborg Ziebarth to the German Élysée Treaty of 1963. 20 Cf. Ingeborg Ziebarth’s May 15, 1952 and July 27, 1957 curriculum vitae (Bequest Ziebart); Ingeborg secretariat of the personnel offi ce on For many decades, the former Ziebarth‘s obituary in the November 23, 1993 March 1, 1952, where she worked inmates met again and again in their Zollern-Alb-Kurier.

72 Review and Insight: The Stauffenberg Memorial Site in Albstadt-Lautlingen Susanne Goebel and Doris Muth, Albstadt. Translated by Benedict von Bremen

Anyone driving through Albstadt- not only has an active “Verein” of the newly founded town of Alb- Lautlingen will hardly suspect that (registered association) undertaken an stadt. A cultural use of the represen- there is a castle just 100 meters away extensive renovation of the castle tative building was an obvious choice from the main road: the Stauffenberg- barn and made it usable as a place for and found a congenial partner in the Schloss. At fi rst sight architecturally celebrations and cultural events1; in passionate musical instrument collec- inconspicuous and separated from the addition to the renowned Jehle tor and piano maker Martin Jehle: in rest of the village by thick walls, the Collection of Historical Instruments2, 1977, his extensive and renowned castle is situated on a small hill in the the Stauffenberg-Gedenkstätte collection of musical instruments direct vicinity of the Catholic parish (memorial site) was solemnly opened found a worthy domicile in the former church of St. John the Baptist. in November 2007.3 castle of the Count von Stauffenberg Although the fi rst commemoration family. of Claus von Stauffenberg’s failed Background Finally, in the course of the Stauf- 1944 assassination attempt took place But how did the memorial site come fenberg Castle’s renovation in 2004- on July 20, 1957 at the “Gedächtnis- about? In 1972, Alfred Schenk Graf 2005, rooms were fi nally freed up by kapelle” (memorial chapel) in Alb- von Stauffenberg sold the building, moving the municipal offi ce to the stadt-Lautlingen, there was, for a long which up until then had been used by nearby forester’s house which made it time, no documentation center and the family as living space, to the Laut- memorial site to commemorate the lingen municipality. Three years later, 1 https://www.schloss-scheuer.de/ Stauffenberg family and the role of in the course of the 1975 municipal 2 https://www.albstadt.de/Musikhistorische-Samm- lung-Jehle Stauffenberg during National Socia- reform, Lautlingen – together with 3 https://www.albstadt.de/Stauffenberg- lism. But this has recently changed: eight other suburbs – became a part Gedenkst%C3%A4tte

Since 2007, the Stauffenberg Memorial Site in the castle in Lautlingen has been providing an overview of the life of the Stauffenberg siblings, culminating in the assassination attempt against Hitler.

73 A back-lit picture panel runs through several rooms of the Stauffenberg Memorial Site. With pictures from the family‘s private photo albums, it gives an insight into the life of the Stauffenberg sons in Lautlingen, in Stuttgart, and at the places where they lived and worked. possible to enlarge the already In addition to the Jehle Collection, topics soon arose. Looking through existing Stauffenberg memorial room. the castle now houses the Stauffen- the window at the castle courtyard, This enabled the museum to present berg Memorial Room and a memorial the idea developed that the courtyard the career of Claus von Stauffenberg site. On about 100 square meters, a could also be included in an extension – one of the most central fi gures of richly illustrated presentation of the of the Stauffenberg exhibition. This German military resistance against the Stauffenberg family history as well as Stauffenberg history trail would also Hitler dictatorship – in detail and to the dramatic political events surroun- be open to visitors outside the honor him accordingly. ding the July 20, 1944 attempt to museum’s offi cial opening hours—an Work begun in coordination with assassinate Adolf Hitler and bring important touristic aspect, especially the Haus der Geschichte Baden- down the Nazi regime of injustice was since the opening hours of Stauffen- Württemberg (“House of History created. With an extensive chronolo- berg Castle are limited to Wednes- Baden-Württemberg”) in Stuttgart4, gical “timeline” of previously unpu- days, Saturdays, and Sundays from 2 which at the same time was planning blished photographic material, original to 5 pm. a Stauffenberg memorial in the exhibition objects, and some repro- About eight months later, this Landesmuseum Württemberg in ductions, visitors are shown the publicly accessible history trail exten- Stuttgart’s Old Palace.5 Under the history of the former Lautlingen domi- ding the memorial site into Stauffen- direction of Susanne Goebel, director nion as well as the dramatic develop- berg Castle’s courtyard was solemnly of the Albstadt museums6, historian ment of brothers Claus and Berthold opened in 2008 on the occasion of Doris Muth was commissioned to von Stauffenberg from initial suppor- the July 20, 1944 assassination develop a concept for the content as ters to resolute opponents of Nazi attempt’s commemoration. On well as the accompanying texts, while policies. The presentation concludes information panels, occasional strollers the Kulturbüro Schoedel in Reutlingen with a history of how this resistance as well as visitors to the memorial site was responsible for the interior design was seen after the end of the war as can complete their knowledge about and the graphics of the printed matter. well as an opportunity to watch the construction history of the castle, With fi nancial support from the various fi lms on the subject in a media the church patronage, aristocratic Landesstiftung Baden-Württemberg – room. rule, and last but not least the local today the Baden-Württemberg With the popularity of the exhibiti- history of Lautlingen. Another panel Stiftung foundation7 – and two on – around 7,000 visitors were informs about the castle’s present – generous donations from local counted in the fi rst year after the companies – Mey and Deutsche Bank opening – as well as the limited size of 4 https://www.hdgbw.de/english/ 5 https://www.landesmuseum-stuttgart.de/ – the project could be implemented in the small rooms, a desire for more 6 https://www.albstadt.de/Museen a timely manner. space for the presentation of other 7 https://www.bwstiftung.de/

74 The Stauffenberg brothers were majorly infl uenced by Stefan George. Right: A photo from 1924 shows Claus and Berthold Stauffenberg with Stefan George in Berlin. Left: A short outline of the family members‘ professional careers is given under individual portrait photos. mainly cultural – use as well as about exhibition units, with each high- thinking shows clear affi nities to the adjoining castle barn. lighting a particular theme. National Socialist ideas. In 1928, his The fi rst part of the exhibition is volume of poetry entitled Das Neue Conceptualizing the Stauffen- dedicated to Claus Schenk Graf von Reich (“The New Reich”) was pu- berg Memorial Site Stauffenberg’s family, upbringing, and blished. In it, George sketched out the education. Here, the adolescent’s vision of an idealized “New Reich” When conceptualizing the Stauffen- special characteristics, talents, and based on the myths of ancient gods berg Memorial Site in Albstadt-Laut- interests are dealt with. The intellectu- and the medieval German empire and lingen, a conscious decision was made al, moral, ethical, and ideological to be led by an intellectual elite. to take a biographical approach, with foundations of his personal develop- A further thematic focus is on the Claus von Stauffenberg as the central ment as well as his upbringing as a soldier Claus Schenk Graf von Stauf- fi gure. This proved to be particularly humanistically educated, cultivated, fenberg and his self-perception as an useful because the Stauffenberg fa- and musically interested person are offi cer. After graduating from high mily castle was a local reference point shown here. A key fi gure in the school, Stauffenberg decided on a throughout the entire biography of development of Claus Schenk Graf military career. In his “Abitur” certifi - the later resistance fi ghter. The three von Stauffenberg’s personality was cate, he stated that he wanted to brothers Claus (1907-1944), Berthold poet Stefan George (1868-1933), become an offi cer. Stauffenberg dealt (1905-1944), and Alexander (1905- who like no other infl uenced intensively with the question of the 1964) spent their holidays there and, Stauffenberg’s thoughts and actions. military’s function in society and the as adults, were always happy to return As a person and as a man of letters, general staff’s role within the state. In with their own families. The castle Stefan George was mysterious and the army and especially in the offi cer formed the geographical center of controversial; hence, his role is corps, Stauffenberg saw the bearers the widely scattered family; it was a critically examined in the exhibition. of the state and the embodiment of contact point and a place of identifi ca- Although he did not allow himself to the nation. To him, the general staff tion. The exhibition focuses primarily be completely appropriated by the had to bear responsibility for ensuring on the intellectual and moral-ethical National Socialists, George never that the army could not be drawn into foundations of Claus Graf Schenk von spoke out strongly against them. With the atrocities of tyrannical rule. After Stauffenberg’s thoughts and actions. his anti-democratic attitude, his the outbreak of World War II, these The person Claus Schenk Graf von denigration of the Weimar Republic as principles took on a special relevance. Stauffenberg is approached from the “rule of the inferior,” his anti- Since Stauffenberg’s actions with different perspectives but always with Western criticism of civilization, his regard to July 20, 1944 were primarily a view to the events of July 20, 1944. glorifi cation of Germanic mythologies, determined by military considerations The presentation is divided into fi ve and his cult of the Führer, George’s in which his self-perception as a

75 decisive for his decision to join the deals with local post-war history and resistance as was the loss of any the life of the women who remained ethical basis in German warfare during in the castle in Lautlingen after the World War II. end of the war. Which of these factors and motives The many interpretations and ultimately proved to be the most reinterpretations that the assassination powerful can only be judged with attempt of July 20, 1944 underwent diffi culty, especially since no personal in the decades after the end of World records have survived which could War II have necessarily obscured how provide insight into Stauffenberg’s Stauffenberg is viewed as a person considerations. But even if the mo- and have prevented an appropriate tives of war strategy and power evaluation and appreciation of the politics should have outweighed the person and his actions for a long time. moral and ethical ones, this does not Only recently has a view of history diminish the quality of his resistant developed that attempts to do justice actions. One of the presentation’s to Stauffenberg and his role as a central concerns is to bring out these resistance fi ghter and which places his contradictions and to make them extraordinary actions into the context clear. of his life and the world in which he The “Lautlinger Leitsätze,” a lived. It is an image that attempts to conservative-paternalistic manifesto understand and explain his actions on the shaping of Germany after and motives before the historical Hitler’s death and the fall of the Nazi background of his lifetime and which Since July 2008, a trail open to the public has regime, which was written during asks about historical developments been on display in the courtyard of Stauffenberg Stauffenberg’s convalescence holiday and political structures, about patterns Castle. Panels provide essential information during the summer of 1943 in Lautlin- of thought and scopes for action. The about the construction history of the castle, the gen, are also integrated into this aim of the exhibition is to trace this church partronage, the aristocracy, and the local exhibition unit. Another section of the image, taking a look at the person history of Lautlingen. exhibition is dedicated to the history with all his facets, his cultural imprint, of events. The operation plan “Wal- his experiences, his contradictions, soldier and offi cer also played an küre” (“Valkyrie”) is explained and and his human limitations, and important role, this theme is of special the events of July 20, 1944 are bringing us a little closer to the importance in the exhibition. chronicled in order to illustrate the assassin as well as to the human Claus The next part of the exhibition enormous logistical achievement of Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg. focuses on the question of his motives the entire endeavor. and his path into resistance—themes Opening Hours and Contact which are central to Stauffenberg’s Reception History Information biography. Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg’s path from a follower of The fi nal part of the exhibition takes a Stauffenberg-Schloss, Am Schloß 1, Hitler to his determined opponent was look at how the assassination attempt 72459 Albstadt long and contradictory. For many of July 20, 1944 was viewed by sub- years, Stauffenberg displayed a sequent generations. After the end of Both guided tours and individual conformist behavior and showed no the war, Germans found it extremely visits are possible. There is also a signs of oppositional activity. A loyal diffi cult to deal with Stauffenberg varied program of events. soldier, Stauffenberg followed Hitler and the events of July 20, 1944 The Stauffenberg Memorial in Laut- into the war. It was only after a and even to evaluate the resistance lingen Castle is open Wednesdays, lengthy process of change that against National Socialism as a whole. Saturdays, Sundays, and on public Stauffenberg came to the conclusion Interpretations oscillated between holidays from 2 to 5 pm or by ap- that the National Socialist rule of veneration and heroization on the one pointment. violence and injustice had to be hand and rejection and defamation Telephone +49-7431-763103 or brought to an end. The motives for on the other. In the decades following during the museum’s opening hours this fundamental change of heart the founding of the Federal Republic +49-7431-6041 and +49-7431- were complex and determined by a of Germany in 1949, the patterns 1601491. variety of factors, with moral and of interpretation and the historical Email: [email protected] ethical considerations playing as much image went through different phases Web: https://www.albstadt.de/Stauf- a role as military, war-strategic, and of development which varied accor- fenberg-Gedenkst%C3%A4tte power-political ones. His humanistic ding to political interests, ideological worldview, which was shaped by his locations, or psychological needs. At All photos: Courtesy Stauffenberg- upbringing and education, was as the end of the exhibition, an epilogue Gedenkstätte Lautlingen

76 Jewish Cemeteries in Poland and the Ukraine Report on the Excursion to Poland and the Ukraine within the Framework of the European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative (ESJF) in Conjunction with the Stuttgarter Lehrhaus – Stiftung für interreligiösen Dialog from August 21 to September 2, 2016

Dr. Gil Hüttenmeister, Stuttgart

The aim of the trip was to visit Jewish Dzierzoniów/Reichenbach. The ceme- It is a small forest cemetery surroun- cemeteries and, if possible, establish tery is in a proper condition. The city ded by a partially preserved brick wall. contacts with individuals from the itself is interested in Jewish history. It contains about 40 graves. Part of local population who would be ready For example, the roundabout outside the cemetery is in order, but many to look after the cemeteries and keep the synagogue is signposted as the gravestones have been overthrown alive the memory of Jewish history ”roundabout at the synagogue“. Fur- or have fallen down and are partially and pass it on. thermore, a map affi xed on the outer broken. The organization of the trip was wall of a multi-story building depicts, executed by the ESJF. It was fi nanced with medallions, notable buildings of Oława/Ohlau. This is also a small by additional funding provided by the the city, including the synagogue. A cemetery with about 130 to 135 gra- Stuttgarter Lehrhaus. In Poland the woman who had explored the hi- vestones. It was used from approxi- area around Wrocław/Breslau (Lower story of the local Jewish community mately 1835 to 1935. One gravestone Silesia) was selected with cemeteries showed me around. For the future, a is from 2007. The cemetery is in very in Dzierzoniów/Reichenbach, full documentation of the cemetery is poor condition – only about a dozen Winsko, Oława/Ohlau, and considered. stones are still standing. Wałbrzych/Waldenburg. These cemeteries belonged to German Winsko. Winsko (the Jews called it Wałbrzych/Waldenburg. It is separa- speaking Jewish communities in “Winzig”– “tiny“) lies north-north- ted from the Catholic cemetery by a Lower Silesia before the Second east of Wrocław/Breslau. The cemete- fence. The Jewish cemetery has be- World War. ry was used between 1827 and 1936. come a disposal place for plastic bags

At the Jewish cemetery of Korec‘ in the Ukraine.

77 there are fl oral motifs like a rose wreath or a vase with roses. On a gravestone with a garland of roses it says (in German): ”Happiness and unhappiness, dear, bear in peace, both pass by. And you do too.” Such two- or four-liners were common in the German-speaking world since the second half of the 19th century. They were either rhymed by relatives or acquaintances of the deceased, or they searched for something suitable in books, as, for example, ”Wiedersehen.“ Eine Sammlung von 424 auserlesenen, zum Gebrauche besonders geeigneten Grabschriften (Prague and Leitmeritz, 1848). The book was written by a Two lions hold a crown, Ostroh. Christian. The copy in my personal library bears the ex-libris of the from the Catholic cemetery. Metal children.“ A commemorative stone Chief-Rabbi of Prague. In the cemete- letters had been removed. The grave- made out of marble reminds of seven ry is a renovated Tohorah-house, stones are marked by inserted stone concentration camps victims with a which was, based on its inscription, numbers. This means that there must Hebrew inscription: ”These are the dedicated by Salo and Sophie Wygod- have been a grave list. Often, grave martyrs who were abused and zinski in 1902. borders are made of stone or metal oppressed and have died under the chains between metal posts. On some heavy yoke in the concentration camp In the Ukraine the cemeteries in gravestones there are minor remains of the Germans – their names may be Ostroh, Korec‘, Zdolbuniv, Klivan‘ and of paint. Most of the gravestones extinguished! – in the city of Walden- Mizocˇ about 200 km east of Lviv/ are from the post-war period. The burg“. Lvov, had been selected. cemetery is very neglected, except for In many cases, there are so-called the newer part. In the newer, well- arbitrary names given by anti-Semitic Ostroh. The Jewish settlement there maintained part there are single clean offi cials, e.g. Walfi sz (”whale fi sh“), dates back to the 15th century. At gravestones with (artifi cial) fl owers Wasserkrug (”jug of water“), Sauerta- the beginning of the 20th century, and candles. The new stones are jg (”leaven“), Szmuc (”dirt“). the Jewish population was over 60% mostly made of granite, partly with Symbols include purely Jewish of the total number of inhabitants. inserted text panels. symbols such as the Star of David During the German occupation about The inscriptions are rarely written (Magen David) and some Menorot. In 10,000 Jews were shot in Ostroh and exclusively in Hebrew – e.g. for a general one did not care about the the surrounding area. The cemetery rabbi. Most are bilingual, in Hebrew / prohibition of representing a seven- is very large, surrounded with a fence Polish. The inscriptions conform to the armed Menorah as it stood in the and locked. During Soviet times, the usual pattern and rarely provide temple in Jerusalem. There is a cemetery was intentionally destroyed additional information about the representation of a three-armed and a discotheque was built on it. deceased person. A large double- Menorah from 1956 (cf. the Babyloni- Many stones have been glued and gravestone from 1929 has only one an Talmud, Rosh Ha-Shana 24a / b, erected in more recent times. How- side inscribed, a sign that the spouse and Menahot 28b, as well as Shulhan ever, there are many fragments. Most did not survive the Shoah or was Arukh, Jore Dea, Hilkhot Aku”m of the cemetery is today without buried elsewhere after a successful 141.34: “You must not make a gravestones. Low shrubbery covers escape. The 1950 gravestone of Menorah (in the form of the Me- part of the cemtery. The gravestones Szimon Rozenblum reads ”who died norah, as it was in the temple) but a are usually very high, often over two at the hands of murderers“. In Polish, fi ve-, six-, or eight-armed Menorah meters, and very thick. The gables are however, it says: ”Zginał s´miercia may be made, but not a seven-armed altogether richly ornamented. There tragiczna“ (”perished by tragic Menorah.“). Other symbols which are fi ve- and even seven-armed cand- death“). A very small gravestone, no are often found on Christian grave- lesticks, two lions holding a crown larger than 30 cm, was placed in 1920 stones and which were generally between them, a vase with vines, for a grandfather. A gravestone from customary include a broken column some stars of David, birds feeding 1954 holds a German inscription with for a person deceased at young age, their young, etc. From time to time, Hebrew letters: ”The deepest com- more than 20 palm branches, as well German words are written with He- passion is expressed by wife and as oak and laurel branches. In addition brew letters, e.g. in 1926:

78 אין יאהר – גישטארבן אין י(אהר) Born in the year – died in” ::גיבארן the y(ear)“. A 1906 French inscription reads: ICI REPOSE MARIE HERMANN de KRIVINE DECÉDÉE À L‘ÂGE DE SOIXANTE DEUX ANS LE VINGT DECEMBRE 1906 (“Here rests Marie Hermann from Krivine who died at the age of 62 years on December 8, 1906”).

The pre-World War II inscriptions are written in error-free Hebrew. The letters are often in relief. Acrostics are repeatedly present, as is the year of death expressed through Gematria. The numerical value of the individual letters of a word or sentence express the desired year, for example: ”Woe! A great loss for the city of Ostroh“ This .(אהה אבדה גדולה לעיר אוטרהא) corresponds to the year (5)662 = 1901/1902. Or: ”In the year: Esther“ which corresponds to the ,(אסתר) year (5)561 = 1800/1801. Another example: “The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance” (Ps 112:6) (ולזכר עולם יהיה הצדיק) and below: “Have compassion!“ .´the numerical value in An ohel – a “tent“ on the grave of an important scholar in the cemetery of Korec – (תײרחײם) both cases is identical with the year ,meaning ”you will be purifi ed“ and presidents of the rabbinical court ,תרחץ .1887/1888 = 648(5) (“tirahats”); the numerical value as well as three Ohalim which are remains the same. But in Ostroh we provided with a new text in Hebrew fi nd both ways of inscription. In the and a brick edging. The stones, as far case of the name Arie (lion), the last as can be seen, are from the 17th to letter is omitted by the Orthodox and 19th centuries. The stones are careful- instead the abbreviation sign is placed ly made and adorned with ornaments. behind the penultimate letter because Between the old and the new part the last two letters give one of the there are no stones or at least none It that are visible. This is by far the .אריה instead of ארי :divine names is interesting to note a description of largest part of the cemetery. death from 1882. It says, ”Suddenly, The new part lies in the upper, fl at The year 1938 corresponds to the the voice of death knocked on his part. The stones consist almost window.“ This image is taken from exclusively of a cluster of small or .תרצח Jewish year (5)698, in Hebrew Jeremiah 9:20. medium-sized broken quarrystones or All this points to an advanced red-bricks, which are covered by a community, which, despite assimilati- cement mantle and thus have the on, preserved its religious traditions. appearance of a coffi n covering the actual tomb. These gravestone This can be read, if you take it as a Korec‘. It is a very large cemetery, coverings are always without inscrip- word and not as a number, as ”you east of Rivne. It is fenced in and has tions. At the top-end there is a small will be murdered“ (“tiratsah”). a wrought-iron gate and a small gate gravestone with a usually very short Outside Germany the order of the below three small Ohalim (“tents” inscription. The overall impression is letters is generally the same, yet in erected on the tombs of famous scho- that of a very poor community. Since Germany, based on the background lars). The oldest stones are located many of the stones, which date from of the persecution of Jews, they were on a steep slope. There are about 15 the beginning of the 19th century to always modifi ed and written as: stones, mainly for rabbis, scholars, 1940, have decayed, a more precise

79 from 1923/1924, now collapsed, in the shape of a broken tree is the symbol of a life that ended early. The Hebrew inscription is carved onto a large tree leaf. Similarly, we fi nd the image of a broken tree on the tomb of a Cohen (priest). There are also blessing priest‘s hands depicted with the fi ngers spread out in a certain way like the Cohanim hold them over the congregation when they give the priestly benediction (Numbers 6:24- 26). On another gravestone with the inscription almost completely weathe- red, two birds and a menorah are depicted. A plant-eating lion. This cemetery offers a completely different impression than other cemeteries. The very poor stones in the new part and their arrangement in the form of a coffi n are characteristic, as well as the almost complete absence of symbols and ornaments in the new part and the short, meaning- less inscriptions.

Zdolbuniv. It is a small cemetery with a fence and a gate erected by ESJF in 2015; a trilingual plaque (in Ukrainian, Hebrew, and German) points this out. A lot of stones - more than a hundred – have been knocked over or have fallen over. The cemetery was used in the 1920s and 1930s, but there is a single post-war gravestone from 1962. Two lions eating from one tree. The cemetery seems neglected but has been recently mown. It offers a uniform picture. The stones are large dating can only be determined after lacking. Around 1938-1940, there are and have the same size throughout. thorough investigation. There seem to isolated gravestones without inscrip- The grave sites are covered with a be several hundred graves but most of tions. The reason is unknown but cover stone in the form of a coffi n. them have decayed. In addition, many probably due to the diffi cult times. The stones are at times colored in of the stones carrying inscriptions Sometimes the name is on the back. black or white . One grave has a have fallen over. It is noticeable that This is common in many parts of double stone for two brothers who these gravestones at times have three Central Europe; this way it was easier died within two days. times the thickness of a normal to fi nd a particular gravestone. The The inscriptions are usually very gravestone. most recent stones also bear short short and, apart from names and The inscriptions of the old part are Ukrainian inscriptions. There are a few dates of death, often only provide a within the framework of what is symbols and ornaments. The old brief description of the deceased‘s customary. They are carefully wrought stones have mostly fl oral motifs like character. The inscriptions are mostly and practically fl awless. There are very ivy. There are some symbols in the in Hebrew. The Hebrew is consistently rarely any abbreviations, apart from new part, especially among the fault-free. An inscription from the the standard abbreviations, as they younger stones. In 1847, there is a year 1931 is in Ukrainian as well as occur in almost all inscriptions. The lion which is nibbling at some leaves three more without a recognizable texts often contain only the name of of a tree, and there is a similar fi gure date. In addition, one post-World War the deceased, the date of the death, with two animals, which are supposed II gravestone from 1962 has a plaque and the concluding benediction. Even to represent lions nibbling at the made of marble with a Ukrainian the list of good qualities is often leaves of a tree or shrub. A gravestone inscription.

80 There are three identical juxtaposed stones with no inscription. The reason for this is unknown. Maybe the inscription was painted or there was no chance to put an inscription on the stones because of the circumstances. Symbols include the hands of the Cohanim giving the priestly benedic- tion, but there is no Levite pitcher. Many gravestones have a Star of David. There is a 1937 Magen David with a rectangular indentation, in which a remainder of a black-colored glass plate is stuck. There are some Menorot under a semicircular arch with a draped curtain. The most common symbol are two upright lions Blessing hands on the gravestone of a Cohen, a member of the priest‘s tribe, Korec´. holding a crown. There is also a bird. is depicted cemetery there are some single (תהלם) A book of Psalms on a grave from 1909 – a symbol for standing stones. One of them a particularly pious person. has the (Hebrew) inscription: ”Cemetery of the Holy Com- Klivan‘. It was also fenced in by the munity of Mizocˇ. In this holy ESJF. This is a very large cemetery as place were the ’tents‘ of the well, partly fl at, partly steeply sloping. rabbis of Misocˇ.“ The short Different fi elds are maintained. About inscriptions are mostly German 70 to 80 gravestones are preserved. and Hebrew. Repeatedly there The younger stones from the 1920s is a circa 20 x 10 cm cavity in and 1930s are usually from broken the gravestones. quarrystone or red brick, covered by Symbols include two lions a cement mantle. The grave sites are with a menorah, Stars of David, The Levite jug identifi es the deceased as a member of the covered with a stone covering them in and seven-armed Menorot. Levites, Klivan´. the shape of a coffi n. These are most- ly without inscription. On the inscrip- tions, sometimes some colour (blue) is still visible. Using particularly large letters, names and concluding bene- dictions are highlighted. I could not May their souls be bound up in the bundle of life! fi nd acrostics. Again, as in Ostroh, the letters of the year 5698 (1937/1938) Summary תרחץ :are written in a different order (“you will be purifi ed“) instead of I got in contact with people who are ment inscriptions, symbols and to avoid the meaning ”you interested in local Jewish history or illustrations, etc. All this can be ,תרצח There are who had published books on this sub- achieved through lectures, guided .תרצח – “will be murdered three-, six- and eight-armed Menorot, ject. Further cooperation is planned. tours, by questioning the local popu- Levite pitchers, broken tree stumps, Somebody suggested to renovate lation about the history of their Jewish books, candles, a bird drinking from a the Ohel above the grave of a scholar communities (since this is also a cup, and many Stars of David. There and describe his life and his impor- signifi cant part of local history), as is also a mass grave for Jews shot by tance in a brochure in order to well as by assisting in the preparation the Germans. stimulate tourism. This would interest and further care of the cemeteries, mainly some orthodox Jews or etc. Through the actions of the ESJF Mizocˇ. The cemetery is surrounded by historians but probably hardly attract the interest is already awakened and a wall built by the ESJF. It is covered many visitors. This does not mean should be further exploited and with shrubs and trees. It is medium in that one should not do that. It is more utilized. A prior consultation with the size and contains about 40-50 stones important, in my humble opinion, to responsible Jewish authorities and from the fi rst half of the 20th century prepare the cemetery, to publish a their support is, of course, self-evi- (1900-1935). All grave sites have a brochure recollecting the history of dent. covering stone. The gravestones are the community and the cemetery to big and thick. In the back part of the point out special features, to docu- Photographs by Natalia Videneeva.

81 Four Poems

Sarah Stern, New York, USA

Sarah Stern is the author of Cemetery in Baisingen (town neighboring Rexingen) We Have Been Lucky in the Midst of Mis- fortune (Kelsay Books, Aldrich Press), The cemetery. But Today Is Different (Wipf and Stock So many Cohanim hands Publishers) and on the tombstones. Another Word for Love (Finishing Line My Oma Klara was born in Baisingen on May 3, 1889. Press). She is a fi ve-time winner of the Bronx Council on the Arts’ BRIO Poetry I spent summers in Monroe, Connecticut. Award. She graduated from Barnard Col- When I didn’t have day camp, lege and Columbia University’s Graduate we went to visit Susan and Inga, sisters, School of Journalism. More of her work at who lived in Bridgeport. www.sarahstern.me We’d go to the beach together. Susan and Inga were from Baisingen. Sarah Stern‘s mother Helen Pressburger Susan worked at Alexander’s was born in Rexingen in 1923. Her grand- in the Trumbull Shopping Center. parents were Klara Schweizer from Baisin- She smoked, had a deep raspy voice. gen and Julius Pressburger from Rexingen. Inga was funny. They ran a cattle trade on the Bergstraße in They both wore fancy bathing suits. Rexingen. Julius Pressburger was a corporal I liked them very much. in World War I and returned from the Western Front with three awards. After the pogrom night in November 1938 and Julius Pressburger‘s release from the Dachau concentration camp, the family fl ed in 1939 to the USA. Bergstraße 41, Rexingen 2015 The poems were written after a visit of several days in Rexingen in 2014. They are My mother’s house. taken with kind permission from the Now Turks live here, a photo volume We Have Been Lucky in the Midst of me now by the front door, calico, too. Here kitty. of Misfortune (American Fork, UT: Kelsay Books, 2018) https://kelsaybooks.com/ products/we-have-been-lucky-in-the- midst-of-misfortune.

Cafe Levi

Before the war there was a cafe in Horb, down the hill from Rexingen. You could sit and talk there.

82 Haigerloch Sisters

We’d visit Selma and Berta on their Catskills farm every summer. Mom always said, We’re going to Haigerloch. All these years I thought she made the name up, but it was another town in the Schwarzwald. I have a photo of its big yellow sign.

Selma and Berta were from Haigerloch. Berta’s long grey braids crowned her head. Her smile spanned farther than her teeth.

Selma was the quiet sister. Their house sat crookedly opposite the barn. The dining room had a heavy German table, a picture of her husband

and son with Selma’s eyes. Both shot July 1941 in Theresienstadt. Berta and Selma must have had 20 dogs, more cats.

Chicken eggs all over. Selma milked the cows, pulling at them effi ciently as she sat on a stool.

We’d pitch a tent on a hilltop, as far as the station wagon could go. Make a fi re. Fry eggs in the morning.

The cows were named stars there – Johnny Carson was an ornery bull. I remember so much cow shit and the dogs, yelping, wild in the valley.

Berta fed the calves. She let me feel their sandpaper tongues. My whole hand in their mouths.

83 A Photograph and Two Poems Inspired by My Trip to Rexingen in May 2017

Hannah Yerington, Canada

We Don’t Leave Flowers at The Graves of Our Ancestors

Jewish stone is the only stone that can feel pain, the only stone that feels the kiss of Jewish lips. Jewish stone is the only one that speaks. If you strike it in the desert, a well appears. When you pick up a Jewish stone, it will never fall out of your pocket. It will not sing over your grave. But it will ache each time the wind blows, it will stand steadfast, It will not fade, it will not drop leaves and grow mold. It will simply sit. For years, till there are no more descendants left. You will be left, left with nothing but stones. Jewish stones are the only stones that feel pain the only stone that can feel the kiss of Jewish lips. For this, you are grateful.

Queen Esther

The fi rst time I knew I was a bird was when I woke and pulled feathers from my hair, brushed long blonde strands and soft down from my scalp. At night, my grandmother does laundry till dusk, the rumbling noise to silence the whirring of the black beast moving through her rafters. My mother’s matzo balls are never fl uffy enough, we experiment with spoons, soda water, selt- zer and heat. The broth is always perfect. She places it in mason jars in our blue fridge, a small note “This recipe is your inheritance. Try to swallow around the guilt.” I never have. Sometimes I think about kissing a German, if our children would call me Ema or Mutter, If I would fi ll their nursery with chamsahs, if I would be afraid of the evil eye, Build them a puppet theater for Purim, sculpt Esther with orange hair, bright eyes, give her a gown gown of silk, Tell my children, play, play, play that you’re Esther, Play that you’re a Jewish princess, royalty, comb her hair, create stories. May you never know what it is like to be a bird in a boy’s hand. May you never be reminded of the feathers that grow in your hair. May you never be forced to bury your parent’s nest. May you never hold my guilt. May you scrape your knees, hold mud in your hands, feel growing pains, always cry out for food. May you know that we have been birds, but you, you are children.

84 Hannah Yerington is an emerging young poet. Her work has been pu- blished in The Fem, Algebra of Owls, Rogue Agent and is forthcoming in the River Heron Review, among others. Hannah Yerington runs the Bolinas Poetry Camp for Girls every summer and is a spoken word artist and poet. She is pursuing her MFA in poetry at Bowling Green State Uni- versity in Fall 2020. She writes about many things; primarily the space bet- ween Judaism and feminism, as well as talking fl owers, post-memory, and sometimes seals.

85 Germans Hold Keys to My Jewish Roots. Their Work is a Critical Beacon in a Time of Rising Hate

Erica Gies, Canada and USA

consult a map to the cemetery’s 935 village. They know more than I do Erica Gies is a science and environ- headstones on the inside cover of the about my ancestors, who invested ment journalist who lives in weighty tome I carried. With me in three centuries in this picturesque Victoria, British Columbia, and in this graveyard on a hill in southern corner of rural Germany before they San Francisco. Her grandmother, Germany were Barbara Staudacher were uprooted by the Nazis. Elizabeth (“Betty“) Zürndorfer and Heinz Högerle, warm, friendly Recent world events make their grew up in Rexingen before moving Germans around 70 who published devotion to unearthing and sharing to Stuttgart as a young adult. the book I carry: In Stein gehauen individual life stories of my people feel Her grandfather, Otto Hanauer, (Hewn in Stone): Traces of Life in the more important with each passing came from Schluchtern, near Lein- Jewish Cemetery in Rexingen. The month. Tribalism is sweeping the garten and Heilbronn. book documents not just each indivi- globe, evidenced in political victories They fl ed to the United States in dual entombed here – birth and death for demagogues such as Donald 1938 with their two young child- dates, spouses, children, professions – Trump, Marie Le Pen, and Recep ren and Otto‘s mother. Erica has at but also tells the story of a village that Tayyip Erdogˇan; nationalist moves like least 15 ancestors in the Rexingen vanished in the Holocaust. the Brexit vote; and increasing cemetery. Barbara and Heinz are the loving violence against Jews, Muslims, and caretakers of this cemetery, keeping it immigrants. It is disturbingly clear that The gravestones, dusted with snow, tidy, deterring the vandalism that still the Third Reich was not an aberration tilted among the pines as we walked desecrates many other Jewish ceme- of human history but a manifestation up and down the rows looking for my teries in Germany. But they are also of a darkness that lurks within the ancestors. From time to time I would bringing back a glimmer of this lost human animal, ever ready to leap out

View over the Jewish cemetery of Rexingen. It is located in a beech wood above the village. (Courtesy Erica Gies)

86 if political winds align and generatio- nal memory forgets just how visceral were the horrors and lessons learned. In his 1978 book Orientalism, Edward Said popularized the term “othering” for the human tendency to separate us from them. Seventy years after the Holocaust erased Jewish, Sinti, and Roma communities across Europe, Germany knows what lies at the end of systematic persecuti- on and dismantling of an “other.” During that period it lost a vibrant culture that had contributed to the country for centuries, and it lost its innocence, as democracy rapidly collapsed into violent autocracy. Barbara and Heinz are part of an extraordinary movement of older Germans who understand how critical it is to remember these lessons. They are dedicating their retirements to meticulously and lovingly cataloguing Barbara and Heinz are looking for the graves of my ancestors in the cemetery book. (Courtesy Erica their missing Jewish neighbors. By Gies) focusing on individual and community stories, they underscore the humanity would sponsor them, which was culture and my history is an enduring, in the others – and in themselves. required by the Americans. 21st century manifestation of the Their work is a critical beacon in this In May 1938, they sailed for the Final Solution. dark time, especially for descendants United States on the SS Washington: of survivors like me. My grandparents Otto and Betty Not Forgetting Hanauer, my father, my uncle Joe Germans have also spent decades Disconnection Hanauer, and my great-grandmother alienated from the past. For some My father, Eric Hanauer, his parents, Bertha Zürndorfer. “My third birthday people in Barbara and Heinz’s genera- brother, and grandmother fl ed Ger- was aboard the ship,” said Eric. tion, born during or just after the war many for the United States in 1938. “Kristallnacht occurred fi ve months and coming of age in the 1960s, that My grandparents started over in later.” Life in Chicago was diffi cult silence was oppressive. Heinz said the middle age with nothing. They didn’t initially. As was common in these student movements of the ’60 pressed speak the language. They were alone; cases, their sponsor didn’t actually his generation to ask hard questions. their relatives scattered or murdered. support them fi nancially. “My parents “I felt a strong responsibility to ensure Like so many refugees before and had to fend for themselves,” said Eric. that it doesn’t happen again,” he said. since, they looked to the future and Initially my grandfather washed dishes So when Germany at last began didn’t talk about the past. As a result, in a hotel while studying English at talking about accountability and I grew up with big gaps in my own night. Eventually, “he formed a small reparations, when high school history story. leather goods company and sent both classes began to cover the Third I knew only the basics of my father’s of us through college,” said Eric, Reich, they listened closely. But in immigration journey: In the late ’30s, referring to himself and his brother Joe. German classrooms, material on the the Germans were happy for Jews to That’s what I knew: how they got Nazis comes mostly from a 10,000- leave the country – as long as they out and got on. What they had left foot perspective: national and abstract didn’t take any of their money with behind, however, was a void to me. I rather than local and personal, with them. The bottleneck was fi nding knew nothing about my ancestors, little recognition that atrocities were another country that would accept not even where we were from in made possible by neighbors turning them. The American government had Germany. This history was further on neighbors. a quota system, and German Jews obscured by the fact that I didn’t Genocides can begin when demo- could apply for a number from the grow up with my father; I was cracy ends, Heinz said. “It’s very American consulate. My grandfather adopted by my maternal aunt and important for me that we are a lucked out; he got a low number in uncle, who are Christian. So I knew functioning democracy now and we the lottery and was able to get a little about Jewish religion or culture have been for many decades. And the cousin in Chicago, Dr. Walter Zürn- either. I wasn’t sure if I was really a question lingers, how could it be that dorfer, to sign an affi davit saying he Jew at all. My disconnection from my in 1930-33, another democracy went

87 down the drain? What happened? felt a big lack of awareness of the herself to me by inviting us to stop at And what can we do to keep it from history,” said Barbara. “And this was their house fi rst thing for Second happening again?” for us very, very depressing, very Breakfast. (Like a Hobbit, I eat The German researchers’ work in frustrating. We want to fi ll this with frequently.) We met at their new the Not Forgetting movement, telling information and also to bring back the house, a fl at in an historic building in specifi c stories of individuals and Jews in a way, in a symbolic way, to Horb, the neighboring town to communities, is a weapon against the the village.” Rexingen. Barbara and Heinz live human tendency to isolate and upstairs and had restored the ground persecute perceived outsiders. The Reconnection fl oor — once a Jewish prayer room specifi city also helps to counteract the I met Barbara and Heinz thanks, in — into a museum for exhibiting notion that the genocide was caused part, to the German government. In documents and artifacts that tell local by unique circumstances, never to be the 2000s, Germany offered citizen- stories from the war and educate repeated. ship to those who had lost it when visitors about Jewish religion and For Barbara, her quest began 30 they fl ed the Nazis. Thanks to the culture and the new lives of years ago, when she moved from work of an intrepid cousin, my father Rexingen’s Jewish diaspora. Stuttgart to Rexingen, a picturesque regained his citizenship, which was On the day I visited, they were town on the edge of the Black Forest then extended to me. A German readying their fi rst exhibit, ”The and the Swabian Alps where my passport meant the freedom to live neighbors are being taken away,“ grandmother, Elizabeth “Betty” and work anywhere in the European which revealed Nazi activities in Horb Zürndorfer, was born. Barbara moved Union. Although I had no desire to and Rexingen. One document on Nazi into an old stone house on a small live in Germany, getting an E.U. pas- letterhead listed all the items looted road that terminated in an obscure, sport seemed like a no-brainer. And from Jewish houses that Nazi offi cers overgrown cemetery. Curious, explo- in 2012, I fi nally took advantage of it, and their wives had appropriated for ring, she realized it contained almost a moving to Paris for a year abroad. I themselves: furniture, serving ware, thousand Jewish graves dating back traveled a lot around Europe that year, coffee pots. The exhibit also had an to the 18th century, one of the largest including making two trips to Germa- auction announcement, enticing remaining in Germany. Yet her new ny to research my roots. I was thank- buyers from Rexingen and other town had no living Jews. Barbara ful for the opportunity, but every time villages to come bid and get bargain began to inquire about these former I pulled out that passport, it was an prices. At that time the Nazi party line inhabitants. Her Catholic neighbors uncomfortable reminder. I’m passing was that the Jews were moving were full of warm, pre-war stories as German. But I’m not German. elsewhere temporarily so they could about their friendly relations with their I emailed Barbara and Heinz (whom farm better land. But auctioning off former neighbors – but silent about my father had met on a previous trip) Jews’ possessions made it obvious what came next. to tell them I would be in Rexingen in what was happening, said Heinz. “When we came to Rexingen, we November. Barbara instantly endeared Angry, choked up, he said, “They knew. They knew!” The exhibit is emotional — and important — because, even today, not everyone in town is ready to accept the role their predecessors may have played in the Nazi program. A math teacher at the high school in Horb led some of his students in vandalizing the Jewish Prayer Room in Horb during Kristallnacht. Heinz and Barbara uncovered several documents about this but were missing one detail. Ever dogged in their pursuit of the puzzle, they called his daughter for clarifi cation. She denied her father was involved. “I think she refuses to accept it,” said Barbara. On our outing to the cemetery I discovered 11 relatives dating back to the 1700s. I found that a couple of my relatives had been moyles, men who perform circumcisions. A cousin, With Barbara and Heinz in Horb in front of the Jewish Prayer Room Museum in Horb. (Courte- Josef Zürndorfer, had been a hero in sy Erica Gies) World War I.

88 From my uncle, I’d learned that my grandfather was from another village, called Schluchtern. After leaving Rexingen, we drove beyond Hanau to Schlüchtern and spent a confusing day checking with a town recorder and fi nding no record of my grandfa- ther. Later, after talking with Barbara and Heinz, we learned that there are two Schluchterns in Germany, and we had gone to the wrong one. We wanted Schluchtern, which had been swallowed up by the neighboring town of Leingarten, near Heilbronn, not Schlüchtern. I Googled around and found that people at a local church had done some research on the Jews of Schluchtern and wrote to them. The church passed me along to Norbert Geiss, who, like Barbara, had moved The marriage certifi cate of my great-grandparents Joseph Hanauer from Schluchtern and Sophie to a house a few doors down from his Levi from Thalheim from 1875. (Courtesy Erica Gies) town’s abandoned Jewish cemetery and succumbed to intrigue, backbur- Hanauer married Julius Hopfer but sounds of cows lowering wafted up to nering another project to research and died from complications of childbirth our ears from the valley below. I publish a book about Schluchtern’s in 1916, according to Barbara and imagined my grandmother walking lost Jews. Heinz’s book. Then my grandfather’s this idyllic path to school, passing the So we returned to Germany in the other sister, Ida Hanauer, traveled to same sights and sounds. Picturing my spring to visit the correct Schluchtern. Rexingen and married Julius. Together grandmother — whose thick German Norbert and his wife Marie-Luise had they were deported to Theresienstadt accent I could barely understand on practiced their high school English for and fi nally Auschwitz, where they the phone — in the place where she days in anticipation of our visit and were killed in 1944. Before my visits was born and grew up was revelatory served us German sweets and tea. to Germany, I had no idea that my — but alienating. This was home. But Then they walked us through the grandfather had siblings. then it wasn’t. formerly Jewish section of town, I wondered how my grandparents When in Germany, the Holocaust is telling stories of past inhabitants, had met, being from distant towns, never far from my mind. I imagine including my grandfather’s family. In and why my grandfather’s sisters had Germans are recognizing me as a Jew, the cemetery near their house, I found also married someone from Rexingen. feeling antipathy or guilt. I may be my great-grandmother’s grave. They Norbert told me that Schluchtern’s imagining it, but that doesn’t make it showed me the site of my grand- Jews were typically cattle traders. any less uncomfortable. Despite father’s boyhood home, which had Because both towns were on the Rexingen’s bucolic beauty, despite been replaced with a newer house. Neckar River, they traded cattle and delicious local foods like spaetzle and They also gave me a copy of my goods with each other and had fl ammkuchen and towering beers, I great-grandparents’ marriage certifi - opportunities to meet. felt guarded. cate. It was strange getting something We then returned to Rexingen to Upon returning from Europe, I so personal from strangers. visit Barbara and Heinz again. Thanks sought out my great-aunt Johanna Geiss’ book, Geschichte der Juden to Norbert’s book, Barbara was able “Hanna” Zürndorfer, who had grown in Schluchtern: Ein Gedenkbuch für to confi rm that Moritz was Otto’s up in Rexingen too but fl ed to New die Opfer der nationalsozialistischen brother; something she’d wondered York just ahead of my father. “It was Judenverfolgung (History of Jews in about but had no proof. From Barbara easy living,” she recalled of Rexingen a Schluchtern: A memorial book for the and Heinz, Norbert learned that couple of years ago when I visited her victims of the National Socialist Bertha was also one of their siblings, a at her home in the Bronx. She was ne- persecution of the Jews), has a page fact he hadn’t known and had arly 100 but her mind was sharp. “You on my great-grandparents and their omitted from his book. had your friends. You lived a real easy children. My grandfather had a It was a beautiful spring day so we Jewish life. Holidays were wonderful. brother, Moritz Hanauer, who was walked a forest path between Rexin- Shabbat was wonderful. Everybody killed in Piaski, Poland, in 1942. He gen and Horb. In the distance was the came home and you went to temple in also had two sisters who married the Neckar River and fi elds painted bright the morning. I have very good memo- same man from Rexingen. Berta yellow with rapeseed in fl ower. The ries about growing up there.”

89 rooms about atrocities in Rexingen during the war, young Turks “have big ears.” One way Barbara and Heinz make lessons vivid to today’s youth is to highlight the role the high school played during the war years. There was the Catholic math teacher who led students in Kristallnacht. But a Jewish teacher at the Jewish school was the reason why so many Rexin- gen Jews escaped Germany during the 1930s. He understood what was coming and warned his students and their families. “He said, ‘You must leave your beloved Germany. You can’t stay here,’” recounted Barbara. “I’m sure he saved the Jewish people in Rexingen.” The year I lived in Paris, I traveled around Europe and beyond with my partner who is also half Jewish, and our adventures became an unplanned pilgrimage of sorts to Jewish monu- ments throughout Europe. Elementary schools in Paris are engraved with the names of young students taken from school to the camps. In Fes, Morocco, we attended a Shabbat service in a hidden synagogue over a nondescript store with about 20 of the last 60 Jews in Fes, down from 60,000 just 50 years ago. We visited the Jewish In Schluchtern with the married couple Marie-Luise and Norbert Geiss. At my side Peter Fairley. cemetery there, a large expanse of bright white half-dome crypts dotted Still, Jews weren’t allowed to go to lives there. In my grandfather’s with olive trees. Next door, one of the college, so Hanna took a trade course hometown, Turks, including some of remaining Jews, Edmond Milmoun in bookkeeping and shorthand, Kurdish descent, also live in the Gabay, now in his 80s, has taken any leaving Rexingen to fi nd work in a former Jewish ghettos. Starting in the discarded possessions from Jews who bigger town, Bad Soden-Salmünster, 1950s, Germany began inviting Turks moved away and turned them into a northeast of Frankfurt. There, in to come work. Many still lack citizen- hoarders’ museum, Habarim 1936, she felt anti-Semitism much ship, even two and three generations Synagogue’s museum of Jewish more than she had in Rexingen, on. Many speak a hybrid dialect memorabilia. In Sevilla, Spain, we where a third of the inhabitants were dubbed ”Türkendeutsch,“ much like stayed in the charming old Jewish Jews. “There we couldn’t go to the Yiddish before it. Many are Muslim quarter, Barrio Santa Cruz (now a movies,” she said. “When we took a and sometimes draw unwanted tourist quarter), and walked across the walk on Saturday afternoon, they attention for their beliefs. Guadalquivir River to Castillo San threw stones at us.” It was these Barbara and Heinz are focusing their Jorge, the Museum of the Inquisition experiences that spurred her, at age efforts on the next generation, – much of which, ironically, had been 20, to get an affi davit from her sister partnering with teachers and teens to temporarily taken over by a Christmas who had moved to New York the expand education in schools. For nativity display. Ironic because the previous decade and immigrate to the some students, the Holocaust is primary targets of the Spanish Inquisi- United States. ancient history, tired, overblown, even tion were Jews and Muslims, many of One of the biggest surprises from trite thanks to repetition. After 70 whom had lived in Spain for centuries. my visits to Germany was discovering years, why should they be forced to The latter got me thinking about a new minority. We visited my wear this albatross, when they had how Jews have been pushed from grandmother’s childhood home, nothing to do with it? But they don’t place to place throughout history, where my great-grandfather ran a all feel that way. Barbara said that, never accepted anywhere for long. small shop. Today, a Turkish family when she lectures in high school class- The timing of the Inquisition rang a

90 faint bell. From Barbara and Heinz I tions. I think I have felt this anxiety, wanted to repay their hospitality. learned that my family – and all the although my mother’s death when I As I’ve gotten to know my Syrian Jews in Rexingen – had come to was three has also left me anxious. friends and have listened to their Germany about 400 years ago. Could But both a family history of being stories, I see that they are living my my ancestors have been living in Spain forced to move across the world grandparents’ experience. They are and forced to fl ee the Inquisition? I under threat of murder and the loss of learning a new language in middle don’t know. For my father’s 80th a parent as a young child shake one’s age. They are taking jobs far beneath birthday, I gave him a genetic test. The psychological foundation in profound their former economic station. They data currently available is not at all ways. Tenuousness is the watchword. have very little money. They are nuanced, ending before the dawn of You take nothing for granted, not haunted by terrible experiences they recorded history. But it showed that, possessions, not loved ones, not jobs. suffered. And they worry every within the last 8,000 years, our On a visceral level you understand moment about the safety of many ancestors came from Greece and that anything can happen at any time, family members still in Syria or stuck Lebanon. They could have moved to that life as you know it could be capri- in limbo in Lebanon or Turkey. Spain and then on to Germany, and ciously pulled out from under you. It It’s clear that humanity has not left now on to the United States. is a life on low-level trigger alert; a behind civil wars and genocides. The pragmatic anxiety. And so authoritari- German researchers’ revelations about A Little Bit of History Repeating an tones make the hair stand up on intolerance, marginalization, and On my father’s side I am fi rst gene- my neck. When a leader or his lackeys persecution remain distressingly ration American, but this new safe says something is true because they relevant. Unfortunately, these activi- space is beginning to feel unsafe. As say it is, alarms ring in my soul. ties are part of human nature. Wars climate change and explosive po- and genocide are not “… an aberrati- pulation growth increase pressure Better Angels of Our Nature on of history, a result of the growing on resources around the world, new Today, the Germany that murdered pains of our species‘ maturation,” waves of immigrants fl ow into Europe six million Jews and has discriminated writes the biologist E.O. Wilson in his and North America, stoking anti- against Turks is leading the world by book The Social Conquest of Earth. immigrant sentiment. Synagogues taking in more than 1 million Syrian “Wars and genocide have been suffer bomb threats; mosques are tor- refugees – but not without backlash. universal and eternal, respecting no ched. Syrians fl eeing their civil war – I am living in Canada now, a particular time or culture.“ touched off in part by severe drought country that institutionalized its The human tendency to separate us – are confl ated with terrorists. indigenous peoples, making it a policy from them is evolutionary, he writes. In 2016 the United States acquiesced to strip away their cultures. But it is In social animals such as humans, to economic fears, falling for rhetoric now undertaking a truth and reconci- there was an evolutionary advantage from a narcissist leader who scape- liation process, trying to come to grips to teaming up, working together to goats others and incites violence with that past. On a more humane build shelter, gather and hunt food, against them. Waking up the day after note, it has been comparatively and protect the community from the election, I felt physically sick that welcoming to Syrian refugees. A predators. But altruism unfettered so many of my fellow Americans had heart-warming policy allows ordinary would be an evolutionary disadvan- listened to all of Donald Trump’s hate people to form a sponsorship group, tage. In order to take care of the speech and thought either, “Yes! raise money, and bring a refugee group, the tribe must consider those Finally someone is saying what everyo- family to Canada. In my town, outside to be others. ne is thinking!” or “Meh, whatever. As Victoria, British Columbia, more than But even if our biology is funda- long as he builds the wall/bans 70 such groups sprang up over the mentally tribal, that doesn’t mean that Muslims/brings back coal jobs.” last couple of years, and through this we shouldn’t fi ght against our basest A leader speaking hate matters; it process I became involved with two instincts. It’s easy to fi nd one’s tribe in makes haters think it is acceptable to Syrian families. others if you connect with people one express those ugly voices in their I was motivated to help because I on one. Barbara and Heinz have heads. Trump supporters whine about visited Syria in 2007 and was amazed found that to be true. political correctness run amok that by the warmth and hospitality of the The political has become the forces them to keep such thoughts to Syrian people who would literally run personal to them, said Barbara. themselves. It is not. It is basic civility out of their homes and businesses, Meeting the Rexingen diaspora in and humanity, which are, frankly, the thrusting food and drink into my Israel and New York “was a very bare minimum that is required to hands and saying, “You are wel- strong incentive to do more work.” In coexist in a multicultural society on an come!” They were open and friendly sharing research and continual visits, increasingly crowded planet. to me despite the fact that my they have formed a community with New research has found epigenetic country’s war in Iraq had driven many the descendants of their Jewish evidence of trauma, meaning survi- Iraqi refugees into Syria, taxing its subjects, becoming like family to vors of genocide and civil war pass economy. I had followed the resulting them. Now, said Barbara, “I do it for down the stress through the genera- Syrian war with deep sadness and love.”

91 Content Barbara Staudacher, Horb 1 Yair Rubin, Israel 56 From the Neckar River to the Mediterranean – Why Youth Exchang? Why Germany? Shavei Tzion was Founded 82 Years Ago Volker Mall, Herrenberg 58 Translated by Rosy Lumsden and Sarah Davis-Röck The History of the Kozak Family: An Example Judy Temime, Shavei Tzion, Israel 7 for the Research of the KZ-Gedenkstätte Letting History Speak: Storytelling from Hailfi ngen-Tailfi ngen the Shavei Tzion Archives Translated by Benedict von Bremen

Diana Bletter, Israel 12 Dr. Andreas Zekorn, Balingen 61 A Sixty-Year Friendship of Muslim and Jew, The Liberation of the Unternehmen “Wüste” Born on the Soccer Pitch Concentration Camp Inmates in April 1945: French Troops Put and End to Unimaginable Kent Hirschfelder, St. Louis, MO, USA 14 Suffering Hirschfelder Family History Translated by Benedict von Bremen Dr. Fredy Kahn, Tübingen 18 Heide Friederich, Rottweil 63 1945 – Harry Kahn Returns to Baisingen In Times of Corona: 75 Years After the Translated by Benedict von Bremen Liberation of the Operation “Desert” Cynthia Francis Gensheimer, Ph. D., Denver, CO, USA 26 Concentration Camp Survivors The Levy Family and Ongoing Ties Between Translated by Benedict von Bremen Branches in Hechingen and Quincy, Illinois Dieter Grupp, Bisingen 64 Bookpreview: Mimi Schwartz 33 The Museum Bisingen: Re-Opend in 2019 Good Neighbors, Bad Times Revisited: Dr. Michael Walther, Balingen 69 New Echoes of My Father’s German Village ”From the Point of View of Humanity Sigrid Goth-Zeck and Günter Häfelinger, Tübingen 34 and Helping.“ Ingeborg Ziebarth: From The Laying of Stumbling Stones for Berlin to Balingen Tübingen Jews Translated by Benedict von Bremen

Benedict von Bremen, Tübingen 36 Susanne Goebel and Doris Muth, Albstadt 73 The Tübingen History Path to National Review and Insight: The Stauffenberg Socialism: An Exmple for Researching and Memorial Site in Albstadt-Lautlingen Exploring Local History Translated by Benedict von Bremen

November 9, 2019 Tübingen. 39 Dr. Gil Hüttenmeister, Stuttgart 77 Speech by Rabbi Ari Silberman Jewish Cemetries in Poland and the Ukraine Introduction by Benedict von Bremen Sarah Stern, New York, USA 82 Angelika Braun, Rottweil 41 Four Poems Jewish Rottweil: Places and People Hannah Yerington, Canada 84 Translated by Benedict von Bremen A Photograph and Two Poems Inspired by Irene Scherer and Welf Schröter, Mössingen 44 My Trip to Rexingen in May 2017 Remembering Löwenstein, Pausa, Bauhaus Erica Gies, Canada and USA 86 Helmut Opferkuch, Grosselfi ngen 50 Germans Hold Keys to My Jewish Roots. Looking for Jewish Traces in Haigerloch – Their Work is a Critical Beacon in a Time of A Short History of the Jewish People in Rising Hate Haigerloch

Dear readers, we would be pleased to receive your feedback on the articles in the Gedenkstätten-Rundschau. You can contact the member initiatives of our association directly – contact addresses can be found at the end of the articles, on page 93, or write to the editors: [email protected] and [email protected]. Best wishes, Heinz Högerle and Benedict von Bremen

92 The Gedenkstätten-Rundschau Is Published by

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Gedenkstätten KZ Bisingen Ehemalige Synagoge Rottweil Heimatmuseum Bisingen, Kirchgasse Kameralamtsgasse 6, 78628 Rottweil. 15, 72406 Bisingen. Opening hours: For guided tours, please contact: Sun 2pm−5pm. For guided tours, please Verein Ehemalige Synagoge Rottweil e.V. contact: Web: Gedenkstätten KZ Bisingen e.V. www.ehemalige-synagoge-rottweil.de Web: www.museum-bisingen.de Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected]

Gedenkstätte Synagoge KZ-Gedenkstätten Eckerwald/Schörzingen Rottenburg-Baisingen und Dautmergen-Schömberg Kaiserstraße 59a, 72108 Rottenburg- Location: see www.eckerwald.de Baisingen. Opening hours: Sun 2pm–4pm. For guided tours, please contact: Fo guided tours, please contact: Initiative Gedenkstätte Eckerwald e.V. Förderverein Synagoge Baisingen e.V. Web: www.eckerwald.de Web: www.synagoge-baisingen.de Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen – KZ Gedenkstätte Hailfi ngen · Tailfi ngen Denkmal Synagogenplatz Exhibition in the Rathaus Gäufelden- Gartenstrasse 33, 72074 Tübingen. Tailfi ngen, Hauptstraße 39, 71126 Open all year. For guided tours, please Gäufelden-Tailfi ngen. Opening hours: contact: Sun 3pm–5pm. For guided tours, please Geschichtswerkstatt Tübingen e.V. contact: KZ Gedenkstätte Hailfi ngen · Email: Tailfi ngen e.V. [email protected] Web: www.kz-gedenkstaette-hailfi ngen- Web: tailfi ngen.de www.geschichtswerkstatt-tuebingen.de Email: walter.kinkelin@kz-gedenkstaette- hailfi ngen-tailfi ngen.de Löwenstein-Forschungsverein Mössingen Alte Synagoge Hechingen Web: www.initiative-loewensteinverein.de Goldschmiedstraße 20, 72379 Hechingen. Email: [email protected] Opening hours: Sun 2pm−5pm. For gui- ded tours, please contact: Initiative Hechinger Synagoge e.V. Web: www.alte-synagoge-hechingen.de Email: [email protected]

Stauffenberg Gedenkstätte Lautlingen Arbeitskreis „Wüste“ Balingen Stauffenberg-Schloss, 72459 Albstadt- Web: www.akwueste.de Lautlingen. Opening hours: Wed, Sat, Email: [email protected] Sun, and public holidays 2pm–5pm. For guided tours, please contact: Museen Albstadt Phone:+49-7431-763103 (during the museum‘s opening hours); +49-7431-6041 and +49-7431-1601491

Verein Lern- und Dokumentationszentrum zum Nationalsozialismus e. V. Tübingen Imprint Supported by Web: www.ldns-tuebingen.de Gedenkstättenverbund Gäu-Neckar- Email: [email protected] Alb e.V., Bergstraße 45, 72160 Horb Phone: +49-7451-620689 Email: [email protected] Web: www.gedenkstaettenverbund- gna.org