Letters Yad Vashem, Israël.
3-7-1942
Mein Liebes Paulchen und Lienchen,
Die Situation ist für Euch im Augenblick wirklich recht schwer ind Ihr wist nicht wie Franz sich seit gestern mit Eurere Probleme herumschlägt und im Ereunde nicht weiss, was da zu .... ist. Alles kann gut gehen, kann aber auch schief gehen. Er schlägt nach, überlegt, ver..auft und ist ganz verzweifelt. Und Er sagt man kann eigentlich ... , die einen nahestehene, gar nicht ... weil man zu befangen ist.
Vielen Dank Pauvel, dass Du die Decke ganz bezahlen willst. Es kammst mir sehr gelegen. Und ich hab auch durch die Fotos noch soviel ausgegeben, dass ich gar keines Geld mehr habe. Da das Geld am Tante
My dear Paulchen and Lienchen,
The situation is truly quite difficult for you at the moment, and you do not know how Franz has been dealing with your problems since yesterday, and essentially does not know what can be done about them. Everything may turn out well, but it may also go wrong. He looks things up, thinks them over, … and is completely desperate. And he says that one really cannot … those who are close to you at all …, because one is too biased.
Many thanks, Pauvel, for being willing to pay for the blanket entirely. That suits me very well. And because of the photographs I have also spent so much that I have no money left at all. Because the money is with Aunt …
Mein Liebes Paulchen und Lienchen,
Die Situation ist für Euch im Augenblick wirklich recht schwer ind Ihr wist nicht wie Franz sich seit gestern mit Eurere Probleme herumschlägt und im Ereunde nicht weiss, was da zu .... ist. Alles kann gut gehen, kann aber auch schief gehen. Er schlägt nach, überlegt, ver..auft und ist ganz verzweifelt. Und Er sagt man kann eigentlich ... , die einen nahestehene, gar nicht ... weil man zu befangen ist.
Vielen Dank Pauvel, dass Du die Decke ganz bezahlen willst. Es kammst mir sehr gelegen. Und ich hab auch durch die Fotos noch soviel ausgegeben, dass ich gar keines Geld mehr habe. Da das Geld am Tante
My dear Paulchen and Lienchen,
The situation is truly quite difficult for you at the moment, and you do not know how Franz has been dealing with your problems since yesterday, and essentially does not know what can be done about them. Everything may turn out well, but it may also go wrong. He looks things up, thinks them over, … and is completely desperate. And he says that one really cannot … those who are close to you at all …, because one is too biased.
Many thanks, Pauvel, for being willing to pay for the blanket entirely. That suits me very well. And because of the photographs I have also spent so much that I have no money left at all. Because the money is with Aunt …
Dear Paul, 3 July 1942
Although I have by no means given up hope for surprises, I must nevertheless admit that at the moment it looks as though the familiar expression “besch” must be regarded as a glossing-over term. The argument my family raises against me in such cases is that discouragement improves nothing, but only deprives one of the necessary strength of resistance. Certainly we are close to a state in which we can endure the situation only through a proper attitude. But have we not been greatly spoiled? Have there not always been groups of people who were persecuted? And would it not be a waste to reject this time entirely—time that is, after all, counted as part of our lives? And are there not millions of people today who are far worse off than we are?
propose that we try to defy the dangers that threaten us. It is a mistake to think that the oppressors are happy and the oppressed unhappy. Aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem (remember to keep a balanced mind in difficult circumstances), sang Horace, who knew from experience what it is like when things turn ugly. Shall we try to achieve such a balanced mind? Will you join me?
Let us take a closer look at the dangers. Deportation to labor camps in Germany will, for the time being, hardly apply to either of us—to you or to me—and thus also to our families, since the age limit has so far been set at 40. That could of course still be raised before we have to pack our toothbrushes.
The investigation into Lientje’s second grandparent is, of course, unpleasant. Should it, which I do not hope, turn out unfavorably, and if wife and child then had to have our “racial affiliation” registered through you, that would not be so terrible either; one would have to get used to it. And if you really had to move to Amsterdam, that too would probably be manageable. At least one could then see each other from time to time.
The question of how one should act regarding the failure to register Paulieneke is very difficult. I have now heard that the yellow registration declaration no longer has to be carried alongside the identity card, and for that reason I was already of the opinion that it would be better not to stir the matter up again. In view of your new information that an investigation is being initiated because of the grandfather, I fear that on that occasion the issue of Paulieneke’s registration may also be raised, and therefore I am now again more inclined to think that the registration should still be made, accompanied by an apology.
It is so difficult to foresee how far such investigations extend. On the other hand, one does not know whether an apology upon discovery might not have the same effect, so that a voluntary registration may not be necessary at all. On the other hand, I am in principle convinced that one should answer only for one’s own mistakes—you know that already. Nor should one underestimate the organization. But the new investigations could easily also affect Lientje, and then one does not know what will happen. It is terribly difficult to advise you in this. But I almost think that, in your situation, I would probably make the later (retroactive) registration, in order to be rid of the uncertainty. But could you not speak once more with the kind man at the town hall and ask him whether he has encountered a similar case before and whether a late registration had consequences? Perhaps he could make inquiries about this with colleagues in The Hague. Do try to find out something about it.
Write to me about the result.
Now, however, it occurs to me that the man will probably not be able to answer this question at all. But you might still try; perhaps it will become a little clearer.
Warm regards to you all.
Yours,
Franz
Dear Paul and Lientje! 10-7-1942
To begin straight away with the most important news: as of today, the “Hollanders” (Jews) are being called up; about 1,200 are being deported every day. All men between the ages of 16 and 40 are being sent to Germany for labor service. Men aged 40–55 are being medically examined here in the Netherlands for labor service and are, for the time being, still being dealt with here.
The younger ones must all report to the Jewish Council, receive a form to fill in labeled “declaration,” and at the same time are handed a note stating that they must report again early the next morning. After that, they are sent to Westerbork (the transit camp in Drenthe, presumably set up by Luderswijk or Lüderswijk—the name is unclear in the handwriting).
The Jewish Council assists in filling out the forms. These have been greatly simplified. For married men, the family is automatically included. Divorced women and their children do not have to go along. Because of exemptions, it has been ordered that persons indispensable to the community may possibly be removed from the lists—namely those employed as staff by the Jewish Council, and also those working at institutions in Belgium that fall under the R., for example at the slaughterhouse and the Southern community. Doctors and pharmacists are also not required to go.
Today, the telephones of a whole series of Jews were disconnected without prior warning. They had received notice of termination effective 1 August or 1 September, but that was probably just some kind of joke.
And so it goes on. I visited Brigitte today, who is holding up fantastically well—actually just like everyone else. The sense of camaraderie alone will mean a great deal. In any case, we have had Barbara vaccinated against cholera and typhus. Three vaccinations should be enough; one has now been given.
Yours,
Ilse
Who was Brigitte?
To begin straight away with the most important news: as of today, the “Hollanders” (Jews) are being called up; about 1,200 are being deported every day. All men between the ages of 16 and 40 are being sent to Germany for labor service. Men aged 40–55 are being medically examined here in the Netherlands for labor service and are, for the time being, still being dealt with here.
The younger ones must all report to the Jewish Council, receive a form to fill in labeled “declaration,” and at the same time are handed a note stating that they must report again early the next morning. After that, they are sent to Westerbork (the transit camp in Drenthe, presumably set up by Luderswijk or Lüderswijk—the name is unclear in the handwriting).
The Jewish Council assists in filling out the forms. These have been greatly simplified. For married men, the family is automatically included. Divorced women and their children do not have to go along. Because of exemptions, it has been ordered that persons indispensable to the community may possibly be removed from the lists—namely those employed as staff by the Jewish Council, and also those working at institutions in Belgium that fall under the R., for example at the slaughterhouse and the Southern community. Doctors and pharmacists are also not required to go.
Today, the telephones of a whole series of Jews were disconnected without prior warning. They had received notice of termination effective 1 August or 1 September, but that was probably just some kind of joke.
And so it goes on. I visited Brigitte today, who is holding up fantastically well—actually just like everyone else. The sense of camaraderie alone will mean a great deal. In any case, we have had Barbara vaccinated against cholera and typhus. Three vaccinations should be enough; one has now been given.
Yours,
Ilse
Who was Brigitte?
My dear Paultje, 22-8-1942
Oh, what an extraordinarily beautiful photograph that is—I am very happy with it and keep looking at it, hoping … that I may still be able to enjoy it here in the flat for a long time. Everyone truly finds it enchanting. It was good that I was able to speak with Lientje once more and that we now know everything about each other. I had wanted to write to you after our shock, but I could not. One reckons with every possibility and keeps up one’s courage—that is the main thing.
28 July 1942
Sanne cannot imagine being able to go back to school and study again. But she too has gone through a great deal and feels the uncertainty of present existence very strongly. How wonderful that you are out of it—that really helps her.
Mrs. Kaempfer surely told Lientje. Tata kept forgetting what you had given her; fortunately that was not possible with your photograph.
... , Paultje, many thanks for the lovely surprise gift, and a thousand greetings to you, Lientje and Paulientje.
Yours, Ilse
Oh, what an extraordinarily beautiful photograph that is—I am very happy with it and keep looking at it, hoping … that I may still be able to enjoy it here in the flat for a long time. Everyone truly finds it enchanting. It was good that I was able to speak with Lientje once more and that we now know everything about each other. I had wanted to write to you after our shock, but I could not. One reckons with every possibility and keeps up one’s courage—that is the main thing.
28 July 1942
Sanne cannot imagine being able to go back to school and study again. But she too has gone through a great deal and feels the uncertainty of present existence very strongly. How wonderful that you are out of it—that really helps her.
Mrs. Kaempfer surely told Lientje. Tata kept forgetting what you had given her; fortunately that was not possible with your photograph.
... , Paultje, many thanks for the lovely surprise gift, and a thousand greetings to you, Lientje and Paulientje.
Yours, Ilse
Part of a letter by Ilse Ledermann-Citroen to her brother Paul Citroen and his wife Lien.
Letter by Franz Ledermann ti his brother-in-law Paul Citroen.
Letter by Ilse Ledermann-Citroen to her brother Paul Citroen and her sister-in-law Lien.
Letter by Ilse Ledermann-Citroen to her brother Paul Citroen.
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