This section consists of twelve postcards which contain messages from Jews highlighting their desperateness to escape Nazi oppression. The postcards are arranged by date.
May 5, 1938- Vienna-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Vienna to New York City postmarked May 5, 1938. The card has Yiddish text on the front and German text on the back. The message is to the sender's brother-in-law begging him to bring the sender's children to America. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "May 5, 1938" in the left frame to return.
November 28, 1939- Zurich-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Zurich, Switzerland, to Krakau (German occupied Poland) postmarked November 28, 1939. The card was returned with a Service Suspended cachet. The message states that no progress has been made about emigration and could the recipient get some news from the sender's brother and sister. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "November 28, 1939" in the left frame to return.
December 29, 1939-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Beregszasz, Hungary, to Olkusz (German occupied Poland) postmarked December 29, 1939. The message is to the sender's parents: "... received your card.... I shall soon be going to Eretz Palestine... you ask if I earn enough money to eat.... I don't earn for food to eat... if only you could have as much to eat as I do.... all will be fine...." Beregszasz was the capital of Bereg, a historic county of the Kingdom of Hungary. In 1918, most of the county, including Beregszaz, became part of newly formed Czechoslovakia. When Czechoslovakia was dismembered by the Nazis, the county was occupied by the Hungarians. After the war, the former Czechoslovak part of the county became part of the Soviet Union, and after the break up of the Soviet Union, part of Ukraine (Beregovo). Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "December 29, 1939" in the left frame to return.
March 13, 1940-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Kowel, USSR, to Brooklyn, NY, postmarked March 13, 1940. Kowel was under Russian rule until the end of World War I, when it became part of Poland. In 1921, the Jewish population was about 13,000 out of a total population of 21,000. After the German invasion of Poland, the town was turned over to Soviet control. On June 28, 1941, the town was captured by the Germans and executions and appropriation of Jewish property began immediately. A Judenrat was created, and two ghettos with an aggregate population of about 14,000 were established on May 21, 1942. By the the ghettos were liquidated in August, 1942, most of the Jews had been executed. The text on the front of the card is in German, and the text on the back is in English. The message states that "... they fled from Warsaw... are without sufficient money or clothing.... Ask at post office if you can send a parcel with an old dress, not money.... will Aunt Bella or Leonard, or you, send us an affadavit to the USA for Lotte's mother.... ask also if you can send us tickets for the ship voyage from where we board the ship.... I beg you to help..." Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "March 13, 1940" in the left frame to return.
May 8, 1940-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Antwerp, Belgium, to Cernauti, Romania, postmarked May 8, 1940. The message is in Hebrew and states that "... good news yesterday we received two affidavits from Ktine's. It took them two weeks after I approached them. I hope that Naftoli will be able to go in 2 or 3 months. We informed the American Consul in Chernovitch. Now we must get in touch with Bucharest. They will send you the registered application. I will ask you if you can send us the ship tickets. I will be grateful if we don't have to bother dear father...." Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "May 8, 1940" in the left frame to return.
June 19, 1940-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Martin Wolff in Berlin, Germany, to George Wolff in Long Island, NY, postmarked June 19, 1940. The message indicates that "We have written to you several times, regretfully received no answer. You probably will have to raise $250 from the relatives and transfer it electronically. We are so happy that we will probably see you soon...." Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "June 19, 1940" in the left frame to return.
July 6, 1940-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Lvov (see Lvov), USSR, to Zurich, Switzerland, postmarked July 6, 1940. The message in German states that "... your card from 4 VI received- as well as telegrams. Sorry you did not inform us how the passports will arrive-- its is very urgent that they will be in our hands... very regretful that the Manschuku visa is not part of it all...." (see Harbin, Manchukuo). Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "July 6, 1940" in the left frame to return.
August 10, 1940-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Ignaz Winter in Vienna to New York City, postmarked August 10, 1940. The message states that the sender has not heard from Fritz ( in Australia) for three months. According to the Theresienstadt death records, the sender was 85 years old when deported to Theresienstadt on the first transport (#253) from Vienna on June 21, 1942. He died there on October 9, 1942. Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "August 10, 1940" in the left frame to return.
October 22, 1940-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Sambor (Russian occupied Poland) to Zurich, Switzerland, postmarked October 22, 1940. The message in German states that "... regret unable to furnish new address of Dina Anisfeld who was sent off on a transport from Sabor on June 29, 1940. As of now, no news from anyone has been received. Suggest contacting Russian Consulate for information...." Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "October 22, 1940" in the left frame to return.
February 19, 1941-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Vienna, Austria, to Philadelphia, postmarked February 19, 1941. The card was heavily censored, including a chemical smear. The message states that "... urgent... now that entry into US has become easier... please send as fast as possible a supplemental affidavit. It sure should now be valid-- the local HIAS or IKA can give information. Excuse my long silence... work draining my strength... I have travel possibilities to the Dominican Republic... but would rather come to your country.... Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "February 19, 1941" in the left frame to return.
May 5, 1941-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Lvov (see Lvov), USSR, to New York City, postmarked May 5, 1941. The message states that "Your letter of 30 III and coffee received... hopefully the latter will help.... we telephoned the council... hoping for answer...." Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "May 5, 1941" in the left frame to return.
July 16, 1943-- Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a postcard from Istanbul, Turkey, to Tel Aviv, Palestine, postmarked July 16, 1943. The message in French states that "... the heat here us unbearable... we have hopes to spend the weekend in a hotel.... we pray that we will soon be united in peace and tranquility... your children...." Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "July 16, 1943" in the left frame to return.
Museum of Tolerance On Line Learning Center (Beregszasz)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bereg_(county)
Spector, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During the Holocaust (2001), P. 667