Letters Yad Vashem, Israël IA.
September 1942
Beloved children! What a pleonasm—are children not always beloved! And that is why I could not bear it if misfortune were to strike one or more of my children. I have had my life, full of sorrow and happiness, and the latter mainly because my four children with their families, who all belong to me so much—as if I had borne them myself. Thus I have had a rich life. You may not even know how grateful I am for it—to you, but also to the power in which I believe, though I cannot find a name for it. And I cannot demand that it should be I who is spared throughout life. I only pray that none of you, but that I myself, may be the one who is struck. I would not mind, as long as you are spared and can live to see all the beautiful things you have sown also come to fruition. You need not worry about me!
I am already looking forward to Lientje’s visit and hope that we will still be here then. Yesterday evening at half past eight we had a visit from three gentlemen. They came only for Mr. De Vries, asked me whether he lived here and whether he was ill. He is in bed with a heart condition, and his sister is caring for him. They went in to see him, and one said: “Yes, I see that he has a heart condition,” asked to be shown the doctor’s certificate and the identity card from the Jewish Council of his sister, said, “It is in order,” saw … … and then left. I was not worried for a single minute.
Listen, Lientje, if it is not asking too much, I would very much like to have some carrots, if they can be obtained. But only if it is no trouble for you and not too burdensome. Of course I can make use of all sorts of things. Perhaps a packet of potato flour? I have just baked a cake for Lena. She and Johan were with me the evening before last until a quarter past eleven—very pleasant! They also had such a nice day with you. How I would love to have that again! And they also told me, in answer to my question, that Paulieneke makes such great efforts and is never satisfied with herself. She will hopefully soon realize that she too is one of the best, even without that, and that others do not so easily get top marks anymore as with questions in primary school. Give her a firm embrace from Omi—perhaps it will help against her ambition.
And now, until Saturday, with a warm kiss from
Mutti
And greetings from Tata and Lala
To Ir. A. Boeken
Olympiaplein 49
Amsterdam
Drawings + Notes
What was the connectie between Albert Boeken and Paul Citroen?
Beloved children! What a pleonasm—are children not always beloved! And that is why I could not bear it if misfortune were to strike one or more of my children. I have had my life, full of sorrow and happiness, and the latter mainly because my four children with their families, who all belong to me so much—as if I had borne them myself. Thus I have had a rich life. You may not even know how grateful I am for it—to you, but also to the power in which I believe, though I cannot find a name for it. And I cannot demand that it should be I who is spared throughout life. I only pray that none of you, but that I myself, may be the one who is struck. I would not mind, as long as you are spared and can live to see all the beautiful things you have sown also come to fruition. You need not worry about me!
I am already looking forward to Lientje’s visit and hope that we will still be here then. Yesterday evening at half past eight we had a visit from three gentlemen. They came only for Mr. De Vries, asked me whether he lived here and whether he was ill. He is in bed with a heart condition, and his sister is caring for him. They went in to see him, and one said: “Yes, I see that he has a heart condition,” asked to be shown the doctor’s certificate and the identity card from the Jewish Council of his sister, said, “It is in order,” saw … … and then left. I was not worried for a single minute.
Listen, Lientje, if it is not asking too much, I would very much like to have some carrots, if they can be obtained. But only if it is no trouble for you and not too burdensome. Of course I can make use of all sorts of things. Perhaps a packet of potato flour? I have just baked a cake for Lena. She and Johan were with me the evening before last until a quarter past eleven—very pleasant! They also had such a nice day with you. How I would love to have that again! And they also told me, in answer to my question, that Paulieneke makes such great efforts and is never satisfied with herself. She will hopefully soon realize that she too is one of the best, even without that, and that others do not so easily get top marks anymore as with questions in primary school. Give her a firm embrace from Omi—perhaps it will help against her ambition.
And now, until Saturday, with a warm kiss from
Mutti
And greetings from Tata and Lala
To Ir. A. Boeken
Olympiaplein 49
Amsterdam
Drawings + Notes
What was the connectie between Albert Boeken and Paul Citroen?
Letter by Ellen Citroen-Philippi to her son Paul Citroen.
Dear Paul and Lientje, 11-9-1942
Many thanks for all your efforts. Galinka was here, but with Piet one could talk about many more things. Here, (Jews) are being picked up almost every evening. Now, during the holidays, there is said to be a pause—a gentleman’s agreement! Mainly Dutch (Jews), and among them very many elderly people. Bernard and Flor were taken away last night; I do not know whether they have been released.
C. was called up. Betsy was allowed to remain in bed because of her illness. Benno’s wife and his son had to go along. However, they were released again because Kurt had received papers that very same evening stating that he was registered as an apprentice with his German furrier, who works for the Wehrmacht, and that he was listed with the Wehrmacht. Incredible luck. Otherwise, I know of no one else among us. At the Cronheim household everything was still in order yesterday, and the Jewish Council has always been of assistance.
The most upsetting thing is a letter from Hans and Ruth (Citroen), which I will first show to Mother today before forwarding it to you. It says that they experienced exactly the same with Dolly and Vincent as we did with Sanne. But Dutch nationality helped. There too people are disappearing, and everything is exactly the same as with us. They spent a day there, and according to my calendar that was on 26 August. So the three of us experienced the same thing in the same month, and with exactly the same result. Remarkable.
With an embrace,
Yours, Ilse
Many thanks for all your efforts. Galinka was here, but with Piet one could talk about many more things. Here, (Jews) are being picked up almost every evening. Now, during the holidays, there is said to be a pause—a gentleman’s agreement! Mainly Dutch (Jews), and among them very many elderly people. Bernard and Flor were taken away last night; I do not know whether they have been released.
C. was called up. Betsy was allowed to remain in bed because of her illness. Benno’s wife and his son had to go along. However, they were released again because Kurt had received papers that very same evening stating that he was registered as an apprentice with his German furrier, who works for the Wehrmacht, and that he was listed with the Wehrmacht. Incredible luck. Otherwise, I know of no one else among us. At the Cronheim household everything was still in order yesterday, and the Jewish Council has always been of assistance.
The most upsetting thing is a letter from Hans and Ruth (Citroen), which I will first show to Mother today before forwarding it to you. It says that they experienced exactly the same with Dolly and Vincent as we did with Sanne. But Dutch nationality helped. There too people are disappearing, and everything is exactly the same as with us. They spent a day there, and according to my calendar that was on 26 August. So the three of us experienced the same thing in the same month, and with exactly the same result. Remarkable.
With an embrace,
Yours, Ilse
Lieve Paul en Lientje, 23-9-1942
Many thanks for your letter. The matter concerning Weininger’s wife is remarkable. All those who had been baptized received this assurance and then had to go and obtain a stamp. They were listed on pre-printed lists. Strangely enough, they knew nothing about this in Scheveningen. Presumably, mixed marriages will receive a similar stamp. It reads: “The holder of this ID is provisionally exempted from labor service.”
Franz went for his medical examination yesterday. He too has been “provisionally exempted,” that is, declared unfit on the basis of his certificate. After some time he will receive another summons, and then he must bring a statement from his heart specialist. Of course, he is also exempt because of (his work with) the Jewish Council. Everything, naturally, is provisional.
Here too, on that same Thursday—the day Weininger’s wife was taken away—there was a major raid on (Jewish) foreigners. At the Willheim household they again appeared at the door, and once more they were not at home. But the next day he obtained his stamp from the SS, and behold—he too is baptized. And he even had the audacity to take Lizzy’s identity card with him and ask to have that stamped as well. The first official refused, but the second said, “Oh well, we’ll do it as a family matter,” and gave him the stamp, for Lizzy as well. Incredible luck. And at Jo’s, everyone is still at home. They came back again the following evening, and everything turned out well thanks to a letter from the Italian consul which they had with them for this purpose. There was also an Italian with them who wore a Fascist badge and with whom they always speak Italian—that was also very helpful.
Flor and Bernard, however, seem already to be in Germany. Unimaginable.
I will see whether I can be with Mother on Sunday at 1 p.m., but that is a difficult time for me to prepare a meal. Could it not be an hour earlier? Or should I go to Leen? When? I do not believe that we will have any peace from 1 October onward, even if the deportations to Germany do not continue. I think they will place us here in camps that still have to be built. But I would prefer that to Poland. One must simply hope for luck. Leentje, you really can feel quite at ease until the 30th. Last night at 1 a.m. the bell rang at our place. We were frightened to death. But it was a very civilized ring, and it happened only once. I then heard knocking on the door. After some time I went downstairs and found an express letter for Franz from a lady. Such things ought to be forbidden.
With an embrace,
Yours,
Ilse
Who are Flor and Bernard?
Many thanks for your letter. The matter concerning Weininger’s wife is remarkable. All those who had been baptized received this assurance and then had to go and obtain a stamp. They were listed on pre-printed lists. Strangely enough, they knew nothing about this in Scheveningen. Presumably, mixed marriages will receive a similar stamp. It reads: “The holder of this ID is provisionally exempted from labor service.”
Franz went for his medical examination yesterday. He too has been “provisionally exempted,” that is, declared unfit on the basis of his certificate. After some time he will receive another summons, and then he must bring a statement from his heart specialist. Of course, he is also exempt because of (his work with) the Jewish Council. Everything, naturally, is provisional.
Here too, on that same Thursday—the day Weininger’s wife was taken away—there was a major raid on (Jewish) foreigners. At the Willheim household they again appeared at the door, and once more they were not at home. But the next day he obtained his stamp from the SS, and behold—he too is baptized. And he even had the audacity to take Lizzy’s identity card with him and ask to have that stamped as well. The first official refused, but the second said, “Oh well, we’ll do it as a family matter,” and gave him the stamp, for Lizzy as well. Incredible luck. And at Jo’s, everyone is still at home. They came back again the following evening, and everything turned out well thanks to a letter from the Italian consul which they had with them for this purpose. There was also an Italian with them who wore a Fascist badge and with whom they always speak Italian—that was also very helpful.
Flor and Bernard, however, seem already to be in Germany. Unimaginable.
I will see whether I can be with Mother on Sunday at 1 p.m., but that is a difficult time for me to prepare a meal. Could it not be an hour earlier? Or should I go to Leen? When? I do not believe that we will have any peace from 1 October onward, even if the deportations to Germany do not continue. I think they will place us here in camps that still have to be built. But I would prefer that to Poland. One must simply hope for luck. Leentje, you really can feel quite at ease until the 30th. Last night at 1 a.m. the bell rang at our place. We were frightened to death. But it was a very civilized ring, and it happened only once. I then heard knocking on the door. After some time I went downstairs and found an express letter for Franz from a lady. Such things ought to be forbidden.
With an embrace,
Yours,
Ilse
Who are Flor and Bernard?
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