Translation of letters from my family in Berlin
I intend to translate a selection of the letters written between the time when I left Berlin on the 10 August 1939 until towards the end of 1942 when all my original family perished. I was 12 years old and this made it very difficult for the members of the family to express their feelings to a boy of that age in a manner that would show what they felt and wanted to express. We had talked about the possibility that we might never be together again.
All letters sent after the outbreak of war on the 3 September 1939 had to addressed and sent to/via relatives or friends in countries that were not, or not yet, involved in the war - all letters were censored and so must not contain anything suggesting that they were really intended for someone in an enemy country nor of course contain anything that might be of us to an enemy in any way whatsoever.
The style of the letters was also effected by the fact that as time went on letters were (had to be) sent via less close friends or relatives. In the translated text I have added explanatory notes and comments. These I have written in italics and in brackets. If anyone wants to make a more professionally looking copy they could where appropriate be numbered and entered as footnotes on each page. Of course no copies of letters I wrote to them exist. I have tried to translate as accurately as possible – but the reader will sometimes have to read “between the lines”.
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We were asked to participate in the Antiques roadshow Holocaust edition in 2016. We talked about the letters and read part of Resi's letter below.
Presenting the bound book of letters from Ernst's family to the Wiener Library in London in 2018
Letter Dated 9th October 1939
This letter was written approximately 5 weeks after the beginning of world war 2 via my aunt Paula in Holland. She had emigrated there with her children and at the time when the letter was written and Holland had not yet been invaded. The handwritten part (which I cannot now read) is a note is from her. Aunt Paula, who was my mother's father's brother's wife and it almost certain that neither she nor anyone from her immediate family survived the war.
My dear Boy
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Castles in the air may some times be easy to build but they can be very beautiful.
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Do you remember when we once stood together at the window of a shop selling luxury caravans and we considered how ours would have to be equipped, and how we would then travel to find out where the world is at its best? Today I am climbing into such a caravan and make my way immediately into the living area. On the desk is a short letter from Aunt Steffa and a longer one from Aunt Paula. Both have been left unanswered in spite of the fact that we were so happy to receive them. I read them again whilst the car races through peaceful countryside. When I get there you have just come out of school: you have grown and are stronger. We are happy to see one another. I prepare a meal in the tiny kitchen: tomato soup, pork escalope and French beans. We sit down in the comfortable corner seat where there are beautiful flowers on the table. You ask what present I have brought you and I say not much – there was too little time before departure, but in future I hope to give you many presents: to-day I have only two arms to embrace you, a mouth to kiss you, two hands that are placed on your head and that then come together in prayer:
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May God bless and protect you!
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Be brave, my boy – and joyful! Although it seems that the world is made for tears, God also created laughter for the world. And therefore we are happy that you have become such a fun loving boy that knows how to make friends. Our greetings to your friend Tom and your new girlfriend and everyone that may be interested in us.
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The car is unfortunately only an imaginary car and as I am afraid that it might it might get involved in an accident I will send it away so that I can be in time to bring you just a heartfelt birthday kiss
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from your Mother
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My dear good Edelein (an indearment term based on my name)
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Yesterday we thought of you particularly frequently (They were celebrating my brother's 16th birthday) .To celebrate your mother read her diaries from your childhood, with your funny sayings and the reports on you boyhood misdeeds. Where will your brother be on this day next year?? But to-day we want to congratulate you warmly on your birthday. The Vogels with Involut, the Meyers and the Bendas who were still here and now have all gone as have your friends. And so my beloved boy I send you from all my heart my congratulations. May your wishes and our wishes for you all be fulfilled. We enjoy all your reports – you will become more and more settled. I will stop for now, as everyone wants to write. On your birthday our thoughts will be with you and we will drink a toast to your health.
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A birthday kiss and a warm handshake
from your Grandmother
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Dear Ernst
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I note from your letter that you are well and that it the place where you are is “knorrke” (a slang word meaning very good: it refers to St Mary's school, now in Bexhill) Since you have written it with two rs I assume it is very knorke. For your birthday I send you something that you do not like at all: hundreds of kisses. Be happy and cheerful on the day. Forward greetings to Aunt Harriet and Ursula (who had also emigrated to England but whom I did not meet until near the end of the war). And as before: hundreds of sweet kisses
from your little brother.
There follows a poem from a teacher to whom we had let a spare room in our flat. She gave private English lessons and I had a lesson with her each week during my last year in Berlin. I have translated the literal meaning.
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Dear birthday child
I add my heartfelt wishes for your happiness.
Be happy and joyful as you grow up and become a good and achieving man.
May the love you will receive from new friends add to the quality of your young life –
and just sometimes steer your mind to old friends who will always have you in their thoughts.
My dear Raskel
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Although I do not know if it permissible to use this form of address for a thirteen year old, but I believe it is OK and 'as I learned at University: the point where knowledge ends is the point where belief starts'. And if you have learnt something you should use it if an opportunity arises. Shouldn't one?
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This was the introduction. And this brings me to the main part – which is you. Remarkable: so young and already the main part – but today all good wishes are for you. Remain happy, active and busy as in the past. The good fortune that so many people wish for you will then come to you all by itself. On your birthday we will dedicate a drink to your good health and hope that we will in the future again be able to celebrate your birthdays together.
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The Holdheim Schule (Jewish Grammar School set up by my father in 1935, where I met Peter Schiff) is now closed – there were only 80 children left: last Easter the number was 150. In its premises is now a fashion school. The pupils now have to go to the school in the Wilsaker Strasse, as must the children from the Goldschmidt Schule.
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The Holdheim bust I have had to take back to the offices of the “Reforn” (ultra liberal Jewish synagogue).
The next time I write I will send you another poem. Today enjoy the “fairytale” from your mother.
Good Luck and Greetings "Dick" (from a pair of cartoon characters that we used for each other)
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Otherwise known as Papa
