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USHMM Finding http://collections.ushmm.org Contact [email protected] for further information about this collection TONI HELLER COLLECTION, 1936‐1990 1995.A.0176 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW Washington, DC 20024‐2126 Tel. (202) 479‐9717 e‐mail: [email protected] Descriptive summary Title: Toni Heller collection Dates: 1936‐1990 Accession number: 1995.A.0176 Creator: Toni Heller Extent: 12 folders Repository: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, DC 20024‐2126 Abstract: The Toni Heller collection contains documents relating to Harry and Toni Heller, who both were imprisoned in Westerbork transit camp from 1940‐1945. Items include travel and work passes from Westerbork, certificates of good conduct, and a newsletter from the refugee camp. Other items include an interview with Commander Gemmecke of Westerbork, a testimony on life in the camp, and a brief biography and testimony written by Toni Heller. The collection also contains photographs of the Hellers and postcards. Languages: English, German, Dutch. Administrative Information Access: Collection is open for use, but is stored offsite. Please contact the Reference Desk more than seven days prior to visit in order to request access. Reproduction and use: Collection is available for use. Material may be protected by copyright. Please contact reference staff for further information. Preferred citation: Toni Heller collection, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives, Washington, DC http://collections.ushmm.org http://collections.ushmm.org Contact [email protected] for further information about this collection Acquisition information: The Toni Heller collection was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum by Toni Heller, as a result of two donations, made in 1994 and 2000. These donations were given separate accession numbers at the time: 1995.A.0176 and 2000.381. The two accessions have since been merged, and can be located under one accession number: 1995.A.0176. Accruals: Accruals may have been received since this collection was first processed, see archives catalog at collections.ushmm.org for further information. Processing history: Michael Folkerts, August 2015 Biographical note Toni Heller (born Theophila Ulman) was born in 1907 to Samuel and Leah Ulman. Her father owned a business in Berlin which manufactured coats and suits. Toni was educated briefly in England, before returning to Berlin to learn the corsetiere profession, and later married Harry Heller (born Schachne) in 1937. The couple owned a small wares business, which was completely destroyed during the Kristallnacht. Soon after, they decided to leave Germany for the Netherlands. They were stopped on their initial attempt, but on Christmas night, Toni and Harry traveled with two separate smugglers and were successful in reaching Amsterdam. Their stay was not long, however, and both were soon sent to Westerbork, which served as a refugee camp before Nazi occupation, and later transformed into a transit camp. Both Harry and Toni stayed at Westerbork through the duration of the war, working outside of the confines of the camp. They were liberated in April, 1945, but remained at the camp until July of that year, before moving back to Amsterdam to live with a friend. They eventually immigrated to the United States in 1975. Scope and content of collection The Toni Heller collection contains primarily items collected by Toni Heller during her imprisonment at Westerbork transit camp. Harry and Toni’s work necessitated that they leave the camp, and included in the collection are numerous travel permits and passes. Other items include a camp newsletter, certificates of good conduct, a work certification, and identity cards. Also included in the collection are a testimony on life in Westerbork, a Dutch interview conducted by M. Frankenhuis with Commander Gemmecke of Westerbork after the war, and a brief biography and testimony written by Toni Heller. The collection also houses correspondence and other information regarding a Westerbork survivor’s reunion in New York, photographs of the Hellers, and postcards. System of arrangement The Toni Heller collection is arranged as a single series. Indexing terms Heller, Theophila. Heller, Schachne. Westerbork (Concentration camp) Prisoners‐‐Transportation. http://collections.ushmm.org http://collections.ushmm.org Contact [email protected] for further information about this collection Holocaust survivors. Jews‐‐Germany‐‐History‐‐1933‐1945. Jews‐‐Netherlands‐‐Amsterdam. Concentration camps‐‐Europe. Jewish refugees‐‐Netherlands. Holocaust, Jewish (1939‐1945)‐‐Netherlands. Amsterdam (Netherlands) CONTAINER LIST Series 1: Toni Heller collection, 1936‐1990 Folder Title 1 Biography, undated 2 Camp newsletter, 1939 3 Certificates of good conduct, 1939‐1940 4 Commander Gemmecke interview, 1948 5 Copies of photographs and illustration, undated 6 Identity cards, 1944‐1945 7 Leave passes, 1942‐1945 8 Photographs, 1936‐1990 9 Postcards, 1940‐1943 10 Testimony on Westerbork, undated 11 Westerbork survivors reunion, 1984‐1986 12 Work certification, approximately 1943 http://collections.ushmm.org.
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