Letters Yad Vashem, Israël VIII.
Persoonsbewijs met rode J.
My dear Paul and Lientje, 20 May 1943
Thank you for your letter with enclosures and the card. I like the ending of Muche’s piece extraordinarily well. Seen now, at such a good distance from the earlier dependency, what is appealing is this: even when it comes to clear recognition and spiritual detachment, it still holds on above all to the heart. I like this very much. Many thanks.
Heinz wrote to me that Mother is nursing the sick in her barracks and is therefore sometimes allowed to cook. She herself was in bed for a few days as well, but is now up again, although she is not yet completely well. She is fighting through the wards with opium and energy and is very brave; she is admired by everyone. If only she did not have to leave this terrible week. I hope to be able to bring P. what is needed on Sunday evening. It seems that as many as 80 “red-stamped” people have been sent on, and that red stamp was considered the best protection. Here not only the “unstamped” must leave—of whom only very few have reported—but also the “baptized”; because of this we fear the worst tomorrow. Many acquaintances and friends are among them, including the Krays. Lizzy and her husband also received a summons. However, through the efforts of several people it has been possible, on Lizzy’s birthday, to obtain stamp (number?) 120,000, which means they are, for the time being, free from everything. The worst people always manage to arrange this. For us it will not be long now. I only have to manage that for Mother as well.
There is a Palestine exchange list; that is to say, those who can prove they have parents or children in Palestine, or who possess a certificate, are placed on a list and, according to P., are then exchanged for German Reich citizens. So far all these people have been kept in Westerbork. We are now trying this as well through the Palestine office in Geneva, with which we have telegraphed via the Red Cross; after that they will look for our certificate number in Tel Aviv with Toby. We have asked Hans to pursue it, but it will probably be too late. If we receive a letter from Geneva confirming our application, that could of course help. We wait and see. Well then, dear Paul, much love, and be glad that you do not live here.
A thousand greetings,
yours, Ilse.
Thank you for your letter with enclosures and the card. I like the ending of Muche’s piece extraordinarily well. Seen now, at such a good distance from the earlier dependency, what is appealing is this: even when it comes to clear recognition and spiritual detachment, it still holds on above all to the heart. I like this very much. Many thanks.
Heinz wrote to me that Mother is nursing the sick in her barracks and is therefore sometimes allowed to cook. She herself was in bed for a few days as well, but is now up again, although she is not yet completely well. She is fighting through the wards with opium and energy and is very brave; she is admired by everyone. If only she did not have to leave this terrible week. I hope to be able to bring P. what is needed on Sunday evening. It seems that as many as 80 “red-stamped” people have been sent on, and that red stamp was considered the best protection. Here not only the “unstamped” must leave—of whom only very few have reported—but also the “baptized”; because of this we fear the worst tomorrow. Many acquaintances and friends are among them, including the Krays. Lizzy and her husband also received a summons. However, through the efforts of several people it has been possible, on Lizzy’s birthday, to obtain stamp (number?) 120,000, which means they are, for the time being, free from everything. The worst people always manage to arrange this. For us it will not be long now. I only have to manage that for Mother as well.
There is a Palestine exchange list; that is to say, those who can prove they have parents or children in Palestine, or who possess a certificate, are placed on a list and, according to P., are then exchanged for German Reich citizens. So far all these people have been kept in Westerbork. We are now trying this as well through the Palestine office in Geneva, with which we have telegraphed via the Red Cross; after that they will look for our certificate number in Tel Aviv with Toby. We have asked Hans to pursue it, but it will probably be too late. If we receive a letter from Geneva confirming our application, that could of course help. We wait and see. Well then, dear Paul, much love, and be glad that you do not live here.
A thousand greetings,
yours, Ilse.
Dear Mother, 24 May 1943
Now it is the Jewish Council’s turn. On Friday, as I already wrote, Cohen was informed that part of the Jewish Council would be taken up for labor deployment in Germany. On Saturday evening and Sunday, work was carried on day and night on the list. The Jewish Council had to strike people themselves from the (exempted) list and had to send out and deliver the summonses themselves. It is a dubious task. Some have dug their own graves. Barbara was on duty Saturday evening. First, 50% of the Oosteinde list had to be struck off, and because of that she was spared. But then it had to become 70%. People came to her in tears saying that they had to remove her from the list; they wanted to do everything for her and told her she had been one of the best employees. But what use is that to her now? We went through a terrible night. When Franz cycled to the Keizersgracht on Sunday morning to speak to Meijer de Vries, he had already removed her from the list. Franz collapsed from all the tension. He threw his arms, sobbing, around Miss de Lange, who told him this, and gave her a kiss. Apparently they do not want to tear families apart, especially when it concerns such a young child. But how much suffering is being poured out over families today and tomorrow.
It seems that 8,000 summonses are to be sent. However, we fear that not enough people will report and that reprisals will follow against those who remain behind. In any case, everything must be ready for departure. We also do not know when more names will be struck from the list and whether Barbara can remain any longer. Franz will probably belong to the category that will be called up last. The situation is not good, and people live constantly under great fear and tension. Today I sent a parcel to Heinz, which also contains something for you. Mrs. Mehler was here Saturday evening and night to have your letter read aloud to her. It had already been sent to Paul, but I knew it by heart. The Mehlers are to go to the East. Even now!
Who is Miss De Lange?
Now it is the Jewish Council’s turn. On Friday, as I already wrote, Cohen was informed that part of the Jewish Council would be taken up for labor deployment in Germany. On Saturday evening and Sunday, work was carried on day and night on the list. The Jewish Council had to strike people themselves from the (exempted) list and had to send out and deliver the summonses themselves. It is a dubious task. Some have dug their own graves. Barbara was on duty Saturday evening. First, 50% of the Oosteinde list had to be struck off, and because of that she was spared. But then it had to become 70%. People came to her in tears saying that they had to remove her from the list; they wanted to do everything for her and told her she had been one of the best employees. But what use is that to her now? We went through a terrible night. When Franz cycled to the Keizersgracht on Sunday morning to speak to Meijer de Vries, he had already removed her from the list. Franz collapsed from all the tension. He threw his arms, sobbing, around Miss de Lange, who told him this, and gave her a kiss. Apparently they do not want to tear families apart, especially when it concerns such a young child. But how much suffering is being poured out over families today and tomorrow.
It seems that 8,000 summonses are to be sent. However, we fear that not enough people will report and that reprisals will follow against those who remain behind. In any case, everything must be ready for departure. We also do not know when more names will be struck from the list and whether Barbara can remain any longer. Franz will probably belong to the category that will be called up last. The situation is not good, and people live constantly under great fear and tension. Today I sent a parcel to Heinz, which also contains something for you. Mrs. Mehler was here Saturday evening and night to have your letter read aloud to her. It had already been sent to Paul, but I knew it by heart. The Mehlers are to go to the East. Even now!
Who is Miss De Lange?
Ludwig Jacob Mehler died on 10-4-1945 in Bergen-Belsen.
Are these the Mehlers mentioned by Ilse?
David Cohen (Deventer, 31 December 1882 – Amsterdam, 3 September 1967) was a Dutch professor of classical languages. In 1933, together with the German Alfred Wiener, he founded the Jewish Central Information Office to inform the world about the racist and antisemitic policies of the rising politician Adolf Hitler. During the occupation of the Netherlands by Nazi Germany in the Second World War, he was appointed as one of the two chairmen of the Jewish Council.
Cohen was born as the eldest son of broker Herman Cohen and Rebecca van Essen. He was the older brother of the writer Josef Cohen and of Ru Cohen. In Deventer, Cohen attended primary school and grammar school, after which he studied classical languages at the renowned universities of Leipzig, Göttingen, and Leiden. In 1912, he received his doctorate cum laude in Leiden with the dissertation De magistratibus Aegyptiis externas Lagidarum regni provincias administrantibus: specimen litterarium inaugurale (“On the Egyptian magistrates who governed the external provinces of the Ptolemaic kingdom: an inaugural literary dissertation”).
He established himself as a teacher in The Hague and became a privaatdocent at Leiden University. In 1924, he was appointed special professor at the same university, a position he accepted with the inaugural lecture Universalism and particularism at the beginning of the Hellenistic period. Two years later, he was appointed full professor of Ancient History at the Municipal University of Amsterdam. Cohen was also one of the founders and, for a time, editor of Hermeneus – Monthly Journal for Ancient Culture, whose first issue appeared in 1928.
Cohen was a professor who mastered his field in its full breadth and focused strongly on academic teaching. He produced several important textbooks on classical antiquity and supervised many doctoral students. However, no groundbreaking works or new scholarly insights have been attributed to him. Some described him as a typical “armchair scholar” with little connection to society, but this was not the case. Cohen was highly active in social and religious (Jewish) organizational life and committed himself to supporting the oppressed in society.
As early as the age of twenty, Cohen was involved in refugee work for Eastern European Jews, and he became active in several organizations, including the Dutch Zionist Union and the Netherlands Israelite Seminary. Later, he was also deeply involved in providing assistance to Jews who had fled from Germany. He was involved in the founding of the Committee for Special Jewish Interests in March 1933, where he served as secretary, while Abraham Asscher was chairman. Cohen himself chaired the most important subcommittee, the Committee for Jewish Refugees.
Through this work, he developed into a capable administrator with an international network and was praised for his sense of duty, pragmatism, stoic detachment, and great composure. However, he received less praise for his occasionally authoritarian behavior. These traits, which could have both positive and negative effects, were also characteristic of his conduct during the occupation.
Together with Alfred Wiener, who had worked at the Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens, Cohen founded the Jewish Central Information Office (JCIO) in 1933. Its aim was to gather information and inform Jewish communities, media, governments, and intelligence services at home and abroad about developments within the National Socialist movement. Wiener, as director, and Cohen, as chairman, hoped that by raising awareness of the increasingly severe discrimination and persecution of people labeled as “Jews” by the government, they could help slow these developments. Between 1934 and 1939, the JCIO issued around 1,200 press releases and other publications on the subject, according to author Piet Hagen. These included reports on the pogroms in Berlin that became known as Kristallnacht.
In 1939, the office moved to London, where after the war it developed into a research institute and public library under the name Wiener Holocaust Library.
In November 1940, he was suspended from his professorship by the university and dismissed in February 1941 because of his Jewish background. He founded a Jewish organization to draw attention to the dangers of the racial policies expected from the occupying forces.
In 1941, Cohen and Abraham Asscher were appointed by the German occupiers as chairmen of the Jewish Council for Amsterdam. In this way, they became—unwillingly—instrumental in the persecution and deportation of many Dutch Jews. Cohen ultimately became the de facto sole leader of the Jewish Council. He was convinced that cooperation with the Germans was, at that time, the only option to play any role in slowing down or mitigating the measures planned by the Nazis. His guiding principle was: “to prevent worse.” As a result, the Jewish Council became part of the organizational machinery that carried out the deportations and murder of its own fellow believers and community members. Cohen hoped in this way to save what could be saved and at least delay the process, giving Jews time and opportunity to flee or go into hiding. However, he himself—being obedient to authority—would not do so.
In September 1943, Cohen and Asscher were themselves arrested and taken to the transit camp Westerbork. They were later deported from there: Cohen to the Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt, and Asscher to Bergen-Belsen. Both survived the war.
After the war, Cohen was widely blamed for his chairmanship of the Jewish Council. In 1947, the Jewish Honor Council forbade him from ever again holding a position within the Jewish community, though this decision was annulled in 1950. After the war, Cohen regained his professorship at the University of Amsterdam, where he retired in 1953.
David Cohen had been married since 1912 to Cornelia Slijper (1881–1953). After the Second World War, he divorced her. Together they had three children: the architect Herman David Cohen (1914–2005), resistance fighter Virrie Cohen (1916–2008), and Mirjam Cohen (1920–1990). The first was active in the development of the state of Israel from 1939 to 1967. One of David Cohen’s grandchildren, the son of his daughter Virrie, is former Rob Oudkerk of the Labour Party (PvdA). Source: Wikipedia.
Cohen was born as the eldest son of broker Herman Cohen and Rebecca van Essen. He was the older brother of the writer Josef Cohen and of Ru Cohen. In Deventer, Cohen attended primary school and grammar school, after which he studied classical languages at the renowned universities of Leipzig, Göttingen, and Leiden. In 1912, he received his doctorate cum laude in Leiden with the dissertation De magistratibus Aegyptiis externas Lagidarum regni provincias administrantibus: specimen litterarium inaugurale (“On the Egyptian magistrates who governed the external provinces of the Ptolemaic kingdom: an inaugural literary dissertation”).
He established himself as a teacher in The Hague and became a privaatdocent at Leiden University. In 1924, he was appointed special professor at the same university, a position he accepted with the inaugural lecture Universalism and particularism at the beginning of the Hellenistic period. Two years later, he was appointed full professor of Ancient History at the Municipal University of Amsterdam. Cohen was also one of the founders and, for a time, editor of Hermeneus – Monthly Journal for Ancient Culture, whose first issue appeared in 1928.
Cohen was a professor who mastered his field in its full breadth and focused strongly on academic teaching. He produced several important textbooks on classical antiquity and supervised many doctoral students. However, no groundbreaking works or new scholarly insights have been attributed to him. Some described him as a typical “armchair scholar” with little connection to society, but this was not the case. Cohen was highly active in social and religious (Jewish) organizational life and committed himself to supporting the oppressed in society.
As early as the age of twenty, Cohen was involved in refugee work for Eastern European Jews, and he became active in several organizations, including the Dutch Zionist Union and the Netherlands Israelite Seminary. Later, he was also deeply involved in providing assistance to Jews who had fled from Germany. He was involved in the founding of the Committee for Special Jewish Interests in March 1933, where he served as secretary, while Abraham Asscher was chairman. Cohen himself chaired the most important subcommittee, the Committee for Jewish Refugees.
Through this work, he developed into a capable administrator with an international network and was praised for his sense of duty, pragmatism, stoic detachment, and great composure. However, he received less praise for his occasionally authoritarian behavior. These traits, which could have both positive and negative effects, were also characteristic of his conduct during the occupation.
Together with Alfred Wiener, who had worked at the Centralverein deutscher Staatsbürger jüdischen Glaubens, Cohen founded the Jewish Central Information Office (JCIO) in 1933. Its aim was to gather information and inform Jewish communities, media, governments, and intelligence services at home and abroad about developments within the National Socialist movement. Wiener, as director, and Cohen, as chairman, hoped that by raising awareness of the increasingly severe discrimination and persecution of people labeled as “Jews” by the government, they could help slow these developments. Between 1934 and 1939, the JCIO issued around 1,200 press releases and other publications on the subject, according to author Piet Hagen. These included reports on the pogroms in Berlin that became known as Kristallnacht.
In 1939, the office moved to London, where after the war it developed into a research institute and public library under the name Wiener Holocaust Library.
In November 1940, he was suspended from his professorship by the university and dismissed in February 1941 because of his Jewish background. He founded a Jewish organization to draw attention to the dangers of the racial policies expected from the occupying forces.
In 1941, Cohen and Abraham Asscher were appointed by the German occupiers as chairmen of the Jewish Council for Amsterdam. In this way, they became—unwillingly—instrumental in the persecution and deportation of many Dutch Jews. Cohen ultimately became the de facto sole leader of the Jewish Council. He was convinced that cooperation with the Germans was, at that time, the only option to play any role in slowing down or mitigating the measures planned by the Nazis. His guiding principle was: “to prevent worse.” As a result, the Jewish Council became part of the organizational machinery that carried out the deportations and murder of its own fellow believers and community members. Cohen hoped in this way to save what could be saved and at least delay the process, giving Jews time and opportunity to flee or go into hiding. However, he himself—being obedient to authority—would not do so.
In September 1943, Cohen and Asscher were themselves arrested and taken to the transit camp Westerbork. They were later deported from there: Cohen to the Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt, and Asscher to Bergen-Belsen. Both survived the war.
After the war, Cohen was widely blamed for his chairmanship of the Jewish Council. In 1947, the Jewish Honor Council forbade him from ever again holding a position within the Jewish community, though this decision was annulled in 1950. After the war, Cohen regained his professorship at the University of Amsterdam, where he retired in 1953.
David Cohen had been married since 1912 to Cornelia Slijper (1881–1953). After the Second World War, he divorced her. Together they had three children: the architect Herman David Cohen (1914–2005), resistance fighter Virrie Cohen (1916–2008), and Mirjam Cohen (1920–1990). The first was active in the development of the state of Israel from 1939 to 1967. One of David Cohen’s grandchildren, the son of his daughter Virrie, is former Rob Oudkerk of the Labour Party (PvdA). Source: Wikipedia.
That concludes the letter to Mother. I am sending you a copy so that I do not have to write everything out again. By the way, you are no longer allowed to send parcels. Only Jews in Amsterdam are still permitted to do so, so send them to me. What is happening here is absolutely beyond your imagination. I have forwarded Hans’s card. Wonderful. Today I am having our cat and bird collected by the shelter so that they can be given another home. I am too afraid to keep the animals here any longer. Our hearts are breaking. But others are suffering even more.
Yours,
Ilse
Yours,
Ilse
Beloved children, (Monday) 14 June 1943
Hilde and Hans are here. I gave them both your regards; I didn’t know what else to say, as usual when it really matters. I even went to see Hilde for a moment. Hans came on Saturday evening just as I had gone to bed, earlier than usual, but I had been working from Friday half past five until Saturday evening half past six. He was no longer allowed into the ward. So I could only have it conveyed to him that I would like to have a small ribbon on the fastening of the collar of my summer dress, a white tip or crocheted. Perhaps that can still be obtained.
All the letters and parcels were once again received with joy; they were strengthening, and the first reassuring thing concerned you, the Ledermanns. I am worried about little Paul and hope that everything remains as it was. Paulieneke has written again so sweetly and refreshingly, and made such lovely drawings. How nice that the dolls still think of me too, but I do not forget them either.
The strengthening remedies are serving me well now, because I have again spent three days in bed with stomach cramps and exhaustion. I will have to be careful to listen to you, Franz. The years are beginning to count, even if the body resists through habit. The 25-hour working day, when I was still healthy, gave me much satisfaction.
On Friday (11 June) at seven in the evening, the barracks were cleared of the residents who had been brought in during the previous four days; beds were carried outside, then sweeping was done, almost without result. Everything that had been left behind or forgotten was collected, and everything was rearranged for the expected imprisoned foreigners. No one knows why they have been sent here over the past four weeks. Most of these people come from the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam; they may be descendants of ancestors who emigrated years ago, and they feel somewhat special. Their hatred toward German Jews is very bitter and uncontrollable. I do not suffer from it personally, but it does hurt. These people all look well and are full of praise for the treatment, care, and administration by the SS, in contrast to here. The first arrivals came at about three in the morning, the last at half past five.
In May 1943, Jewish prisoners were transferred on a large scale from Camp Amersfoort to Camp Westerbork as a transit point to extermination camps. A notable event was the transport on 11 May 1943, during which more than 1,400 people were deported. Another large transport followed on 18 May 1943 with 2,511 Jews, none of whom survived the war..
At half past six I went to sleep until seven, and then my working day began again: drawing up patient lists in the men’s and women’s wards, which are separated by the entrance to the barracks hall—here called the kitchen. I wash the sick when they are unable to do so themselves, apply bandages, make tea, and cook porridge, etc. They quickly become familiar with me and know how to find me in my little corner. Perhaps it may still be possible to send bandages in various widths from 2–6 cm. Injuries to arms, legs, and hands are very common here. Although I have now received good help—Sanne—I am glad that for the time being you can still help your mother.
It is touching, Ilsje, that you are still sending parcels to Eva Bl. and that you also think of so many others and always manage to find the right things. I have become quite fond of the half-liter mug with a lid; it can be used for all sorts of things, and it was nicely filled with all kinds of delicious items. My “angel mug” has been stolen, and I would very much like another one. A thicker cup and saucer would also be fine. Of the porcelain bedpan, which was otherwise excellently packed, the handle and spout have broken off, but it is still in use despite that. A pillow (and perhaps two pillowcases), a tea cozy—and may I give away the training trousers? There is increasing demand for these items, and also for children’s magazines! At the moment it is teeming here with babies and children up to 12 years old. Among them are many suffering from measles and whooping cough who, despite the risk of infection, are not admitted to the sick barracks but must remain in their own barracks. This is one of the new, stricter regulations. It is beginning to resemble Vught more and more, where child mortality is said to be terrible. That must be dreadful for everyone.
Mrs. Landauer’s mother has meanwhile died, while he—Mr. Landauer—seems to be doing better. I hardly go to the sick barracks anymore; I am too tired. Visiting hours are from seven to a quarter to eight. I briefly ran into Dr. Bial, and he immediately invited Heinz and me for the following Saturday evening. To be honest, I often feel that we do not quite know what to do with each other, and I was glad that when I was ill for a few days I did not have to go. It gives me pleasure to speak to Lena and Johan from time to time, and I am curious to hear what you have to say about his niece. Herry (Henri?) and his wife are also very kind, just like all the other B’s. Please give them my warm regards.
I am very sad that I hear so little from Hans. Even though the likelihood of certain reports about their lives reassures me somewhat, I admire their perseverance.
Perhaps they are taking the thirtieth into account (?). For that I have one special wish: a piece of soap! By the way, Ilsje, the parcel with the stockings for Tata (where might she be, how is she?) has not arrived; either much more laundry was listed on the label, or there were several addresses on the parcel, and it has been returned to the post office. Heinz is my faithful visitor, and we have truly become good friends and understand each other. He is loved by everyone.
Stay healthy, my dear ones, and be warmly embraced by
Mother
Tata was already murdered on 5 februari in Auschwitz, together with her sister Lala.
Hilde and Hans are here. I gave them both your regards; I didn’t know what else to say, as usual when it really matters. I even went to see Hilde for a moment. Hans came on Saturday evening just as I had gone to bed, earlier than usual, but I had been working from Friday half past five until Saturday evening half past six. He was no longer allowed into the ward. So I could only have it conveyed to him that I would like to have a small ribbon on the fastening of the collar of my summer dress, a white tip or crocheted. Perhaps that can still be obtained.
All the letters and parcels were once again received with joy; they were strengthening, and the first reassuring thing concerned you, the Ledermanns. I am worried about little Paul and hope that everything remains as it was. Paulieneke has written again so sweetly and refreshingly, and made such lovely drawings. How nice that the dolls still think of me too, but I do not forget them either.
The strengthening remedies are serving me well now, because I have again spent three days in bed with stomach cramps and exhaustion. I will have to be careful to listen to you, Franz. The years are beginning to count, even if the body resists through habit. The 25-hour working day, when I was still healthy, gave me much satisfaction.
On Friday (11 June) at seven in the evening, the barracks were cleared of the residents who had been brought in during the previous four days; beds were carried outside, then sweeping was done, almost without result. Everything that had been left behind or forgotten was collected, and everything was rearranged for the expected imprisoned foreigners. No one knows why they have been sent here over the past four weeks. Most of these people come from the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam; they may be descendants of ancestors who emigrated years ago, and they feel somewhat special. Their hatred toward German Jews is very bitter and uncontrollable. I do not suffer from it personally, but it does hurt. These people all look well and are full of praise for the treatment, care, and administration by the SS, in contrast to here. The first arrivals came at about three in the morning, the last at half past five.
In May 1943, Jewish prisoners were transferred on a large scale from Camp Amersfoort to Camp Westerbork as a transit point to extermination camps. A notable event was the transport on 11 May 1943, during which more than 1,400 people were deported. Another large transport followed on 18 May 1943 with 2,511 Jews, none of whom survived the war..
At half past six I went to sleep until seven, and then my working day began again: drawing up patient lists in the men’s and women’s wards, which are separated by the entrance to the barracks hall—here called the kitchen. I wash the sick when they are unable to do so themselves, apply bandages, make tea, and cook porridge, etc. They quickly become familiar with me and know how to find me in my little corner. Perhaps it may still be possible to send bandages in various widths from 2–6 cm. Injuries to arms, legs, and hands are very common here. Although I have now received good help—Sanne—I am glad that for the time being you can still help your mother.
It is touching, Ilsje, that you are still sending parcels to Eva Bl. and that you also think of so many others and always manage to find the right things. I have become quite fond of the half-liter mug with a lid; it can be used for all sorts of things, and it was nicely filled with all kinds of delicious items. My “angel mug” has been stolen, and I would very much like another one. A thicker cup and saucer would also be fine. Of the porcelain bedpan, which was otherwise excellently packed, the handle and spout have broken off, but it is still in use despite that. A pillow (and perhaps two pillowcases), a tea cozy—and may I give away the training trousers? There is increasing demand for these items, and also for children’s magazines! At the moment it is teeming here with babies and children up to 12 years old. Among them are many suffering from measles and whooping cough who, despite the risk of infection, are not admitted to the sick barracks but must remain in their own barracks. This is one of the new, stricter regulations. It is beginning to resemble Vught more and more, where child mortality is said to be terrible. That must be dreadful for everyone.
Mrs. Landauer’s mother has meanwhile died, while he—Mr. Landauer—seems to be doing better. I hardly go to the sick barracks anymore; I am too tired. Visiting hours are from seven to a quarter to eight. I briefly ran into Dr. Bial, and he immediately invited Heinz and me for the following Saturday evening. To be honest, I often feel that we do not quite know what to do with each other, and I was glad that when I was ill for a few days I did not have to go. It gives me pleasure to speak to Lena and Johan from time to time, and I am curious to hear what you have to say about his niece. Herry (Henri?) and his wife are also very kind, just like all the other B’s. Please give them my warm regards.
I am very sad that I hear so little from Hans. Even though the likelihood of certain reports about their lives reassures me somewhat, I admire their perseverance.
Perhaps they are taking the thirtieth into account (?). For that I have one special wish: a piece of soap! By the way, Ilsje, the parcel with the stockings for Tata (where might she be, how is she?) has not arrived; either much more laundry was listed on the label, or there were several addresses on the parcel, and it has been returned to the post office. Heinz is my faithful visitor, and we have truly become good friends and understand each other. He is loved by everyone.
Stay healthy, my dear ones, and be warmly embraced by
Mother
Tata was already murdered on 5 februari in Auschwitz, together with her sister Lala.
The Ledermanns to Westerbork on 20 June 1943 – gone on 16 November 1943.
Grandmother (Ellen-Philippi-Citroen) to Westerbork for the second time on 1 March 1943 – gone on 7 December 1943.
This may be a note by Barbara Ledermann.
Grandmother (Ellen-Philippi-Citroen) to Westerbork for the second time on 1 March 1943 – gone on 7 December 1943.
This may be a note by Barbara Ledermann.
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