Erika Weiser, 19161988 (aged 71 years)

Name
Erika /Weiser/
Given names
Erika
Nickname
Eri
Surname
Weiser
Married name
Erika /Pasternak/
Married name
Erika /Klein/
Name
//אסתר בת רי מאיר
Type of name
religious name
Note: Esther Bat Ri Meir - I do not know what the Ri stands for.
Birth
Background
Russian Czar Nicholas is forced to abdicate the throne.
March 15, 1917 (Adar 21, 5677)
Background
United States Declares War On Germany
April 6, 1917 (Nissan 14, 5677)
Background
In Russia, leftist revolutionaries led by Bolshevik Party leader Vladimir Lenin launch a nearly bloodless coup d’état against the provisional government. Beginning of the Russian Civil War.
November 7, 1917 (Heshvan 22, 5678)
Background
United States Declares War On Austria-Hungary.
December 7, 1917 (Kislev 22, 5678)
Background
United States Signs Armistice With Germany
November 11, 1918 (Kislev 7, 5679)
Background
In the United States, the 18th Amendment Prohibition of alcohol becomes effective.
January 17, 1920 (Tevet 26, 5680)
Background
In Czechoslovakia, women are given the right to vote when the Constitution is enacted.
February 29, 1920 (Adar 10, 5680)
Background
Henry Ford publishes an article called THE INTERNATIONAL JEW: THE WORLD'S PROBLEM in the Dearborn Independent. Ford continues to publish anti-semitic articles for seven years. Copies of the newspapers are placed in Ford Auto Delearships. newspaper is sent
May 22, 1920 (Sivan 5, 5680)
Background
Treaty Of Trianon ended WWI. Hungary Gives Up Two Thirds Of Its Land. Town Of Bilky Becomes Part of Czechoslovakia.
June 6, 1920 (Sivan 20, 5680)
Background
In the United States, the 18th Amendment is certified and women are given the right to vote.
August 26, 1920 (Elul 12, 5680)
29th President of the United States
Warren G Harding
March 4, 1921 (Adar I 24, 5681)
Background
In the United States, the Emergency Quota Act restricts the number of immigrants.
May 21, 1921 (Iyar 13, 5681)
Background
In Soviet Union, Stalin becomes General Secretary of Communist Party.
April 3, 1922 (Nissan 5, 5682)
Background
Russian Civil War ends. 7,000,000–12,000,000 total deaths. The overwhelming majority of deaths were civilians. Russia becomes Soviet Union.
June 16, 1923 (Tamuz 2, 5683)
30th President of the United States
Calvin Coolidge
August 2, 1923 (Av 20, 5683)
Background
Hyperinflation occurs in Germany as a result of debt/reparations owed from World War I.
from 1921 (5681) to 1923 (5683)
Background
Mein Kampf, Hitler's autobigraphical manifesto, is published. Hitler compliments Henry Ford by name.
July 18, 1925 (Tamuz 26, 5685)
31st President of the United States
Herbert Hoover
March 4, 1929 (Adar I 22, 5689)
Background
In the United States, the stock market crashes and loses 23% in two days.
from October 23, 1929 (Tishrei 19, 5690) to October 24, 1929 (Tishrei 20, 5690)
Background
Heinrich Bruning becomes Chancellor of Germany. In response to the worldwide depression, he institutes a policy of austerity by tightening credit and reducing wages.
March 30, 1930 (Nissan 1, 5690)
Background
In the United States, the stock market loses 90% of its value in less than three years.
from April 1930 (Nissan 5690) to July 1932 (Tamuz 5692)
Background
Heinrich Bruning, Chancellor Of German, announces his Cabinet's resignation. Hitler becomes chancellor eight months later.
May 30, 1932 (Iyar 24, 5692)
Background
The United States stock market reaches its lowest point during the Great Depression. It was down 90% from its high.
July 8, 1932 (Tamuz 4, 5692)
Background
Hitler Becomes German Chancellor
January 30, 1933 (Shevat 3, 5693)
32nd President of the United States
Franklin D Roosevelt
March 4, 1933 (Adar 6, 5693)
Background
In the United States, the 18th Amendment is repealed and alcohol becomes legal again.
December 5, 1933 (Kislev 17, 5694)
Background
Reichstag Fire gives Hitler the opportunity to suspend civil liberties and the establishment of the Nazi Party as the only political party in Germany.
1933 (5693)
Background
German Parliament Passes Nuremberg Race Laws. Only racially pure Germans would be allowed to hold German citizenship. It banned future intermarriages and sexual relations between Jews and people “of German or related blood.”
September 15, 1935 (Elul 17, 5695)
Background
1936 Summer Olympics begins in Berlin, Germany. German Jewish athletes were barred.
August 1, 1936 (Av 13, 5696)
Registration
Israelitische Religionsgemeinde Zu Leipzig
1937 (5697)
Background
Hitler holds a secret meeting in which he outlines Germany's plan to expand its territories by force. The meeting is summarized in the Hossbach Memorandum.
November 5, 1937 (Kislev 1, 5698)
Arrested By Nazis
Arrested By Nazis
1938 (5698)
Date of entry in original source: December 14, 1959
Quality of data: secondary evidence
Background
Germany annexes Austria.
March 12, 1938 (Adar II 9, 5698)
Hungarian Anti-Jewish Laws
Hungary restricts the number of Jews in each commercial enterprise, in the press, among physicians, engineers and lawyers to twenty percent.
May 29, 1938 (Iyar 28, 5698)
Background
Munich Agreement reached by Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy that permitted German annexation of the Sudetenland, in western Czechoslovakia.
September 30, 1938 (Tishrei 5, 5699)
Deportation
Note: A record was found that indicated that Erika Weiser's mom was deported on October 28, 1938 from Leipzig to Poland. It is likely that Erika was deported in the same day.

A record was found that indicated that Erika Weiser's mom was deported on October 28, 1938 from Leipzig to Poland. It is likely that Erika was deported in the same day.

From October 27 until October 29, 1938, the day before a Polish decree regarding the eligibility of passports was set to take effect, state authorities in Germany arrested approximately 17,000 Polish Jews and cancelled their German permits of residence. The Gestapo was easily able to locate those arrested through registration data and census files. After being arrested, thousands of Polish Jews were stripped of any personal property or money and put on trains. These trains brought the deportees to the Germany–Poland border.
Wikipedia

Hero's Journey
Background
Germany arrests 17,000 Polish Jewish Residents and deports thousands to Poland. https://w.wiki/5R8z
from October 27, 1938 (Heshvan 2, 5699) to October 29, 1938 (Heshvan 4, 5699)
Background
First Vienna Award separated from Czechoslovakia territories in southern Slovakia and southern Carpathian Rus and gave them to Hungary.
November 2, 1938 (Heshvan 8, 5699)
Pogrom
Note: Kristallnacht (Crystal Night) comes from the broken windows of Jewish-owned stores, buildings and synagogues that were smashed. 7,500 Jewish owned businesses are looted. 30,000 Jewish males were rounded up and taken to concentration camps.
Invasion
Germany Occupies Czechoslovakia
March 15, 1939 (Adar 24, 5699)
Background
Carpathian Ruthenia Region, of which Bilky is a part of, declares its indepedence from Czechoslovakia.
March 15, 1939 (Adar 24, 5699)
Background
Carpathian Ruthenia Region, of which Bilky is a part of, is occupied and annexed by Hungary.
from March 15, 1939 (Adar 24, 5699) to March 18, 1939 (Adar 27, 5699)
Hungarian Anti-Jewish Laws
Hungary defines Jews racially: individuals with two, three or four Jewish-born grandparents were declared Jewish. It reduced the role of Jews in Hungarian economic life even more, setting the limit to 6%.
May 5, 1939 (Iyar 16, 5699)
Background
A non-aggression pact is signed between Soviet Union and Germany. It enabled the two countries to partition Poland. It is known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact.
August 23, 1939 (Elul 8, 5699)
Invasion
Beginning of WWII. Germany Invades Poland
September 1, 1939 (Elul 17, 5699)
Declaration Of War
Great Britain and France Declare War Against Germany
September 3, 1939 (Elul 19, 5699)
Background
Soviet Union invades Poland.
September 17, 1939 (Tishrei 4, 5700)
Background
Soviet Union and Germany divide Poland by German–Soviet Boundary and Friendship Treaty.
September 28, 1939 (Tishrei 15, 5700)
Deportation
Germany begins deportation of Austrian and Czech Jews to Poland
October 12, 1939 (Tishrei 29, 5700)
Background
In Poland, all Jews above the age of 11 must wear white armbands with the Jewish Star.
November 23, 1939 (Kislev 11, 5700)
Krakow Ghetto
In Krakow, Judenräte (Jewish Councils) were created which were to be run by Jewish citizens for the purpose of carrying out orders for the Nazis. These orders included registration of all Jewish people living in the area, the collection of taxes, and forced labour groups.
November 28, 1939 (Kislev 16, 5700)
Krakow Ghetto - Census
Jewish census of the city of Krakow, marked to indicate deportation to the ghetto
about 1940 (5700)
Invasion
Germany Occupies Denmark and southern Norway
April 9, 1940 (Nissan 1, 5700)
Invasion
Germany Invades Belgium, the Netherlands, and France.
May 10, 1940 (Iyar 2, 5700)
Background
Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Britain.
May 10, 1940 (Iyar 2, 5700)
Concentration Camp
Auschwitz Established
May 20, 1940 (Iyar 12, 5700)
Background
Dunkirk Evacuation.
from May 26, 1940 (Iyar 18, 5700) to June 4, 1940 (Iyar 27, 5700)
Surrender
France Surrenders To Germany
June 22, 1940 (Sivan 16, 5700)
Event
Submits Application for a Krakow Ghetto Identification Card
August 8, 1940 (Av 4, 5700)
Address: SKAWINERGASSE Nr. 2
Krakow, Poland
Date of entry in original source: August 1940
Quality of data: primary evidence
Ghetto
Warsaw Ghetto Sealed
November 16, 1940 (Heshvan 15, 5701)
Marriage
estimated 1941 (5701) (aged 24 years)
Ghetto
Krakow Ghetto Formally Established
March 3, 1941 (Adar 4, 5701)
Forcibly Transported By Nazis
Transported from Krakau-Stadt to Międzyrzec Podlaska
March 20, 1941 (Adar 21, 5701)
Note: On the JewishGen Transport List, the name is listed as "Reni (sic) Brandstadter." "Reni" must be a confusion with "Hani." Otherwise, the specifics are identical including year of birth, "maiden name" of Weiser, and the same residential address as listed on the Krakow ID Application - "Grodzka 69 Krakau." The JewishGen website indicates the marital status as "verw." The marital statuses in German include: verheiratet" (married), "geschieden" (divorced) or "verwitwet" (widowed). So, it would indicate that Hanni was widowed. But on the Krakow Application, the marital status is listed as "gesch" which would mean divorced.
Hungarian Anti-Jewish Laws
Hungary prohibits intermarriage and penalizes sexual intercourse between Jews and non-Jews. Became a keystone in the process of excluding and eliminating Jews from Hungarian society.
August 8, 1941 (Av 15, 5701)
Background
Jewish Germans and Jews with citizenship of annexed states (Austrians, Czechs, Danzigers) from the age of six years are ordered to wear a yellow badge in the shape of a Jewish Star with Jude in the center.
September 1, 1941 (Elul 9, 5701)
Attack
Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941 (Kislev 17, 5702)
Death of a father
Cause: Murdered by Nazis.
Background
At the Wannsee Conference, Nazis finalized their Final Solution plans to murder all the Jews after their deportation. Adolf Eichmann, who was eventually tried and executed in Israel for murdering Jews via the systematic deportation of millions of Jews to the extermination camps, was at the meeting.
January 20, 1942 (Shevat 2, 5702)
Background
First convoy of Jews from France are sent to Auschwitz.
March 27, 1942 (Nissan 9, 5702)
Background
Jewish Dutch people ordered to wear the Jewish yellow badge.
April 29, 1942 (Iyar 12, 5702)
Background
Jewish Belgians people ordered to wear the Jewish yellow badge.
June 3, 1942 (Sivan 18, 5702)
Background
Jews in Occuppied France ordered to wear the Jewish yellow badge.
June 7, 1942 (Sivan 22, 5702)
Deportation
Germany begins the deportation of Dutch Jews from camps in the Netherlands
July 15, 1942 (Av 1, 5702)
Hungarian Anti-Jewish Laws
Hungary abolishes the status of Judaism as a received religion.
July 19, 1942 (Av 5, 5702)
Hungarian Anti-Jewish Laws
Hungary prohibits Jews from acquiring agricultural property, and calls for the transfer of Jewish-owned property to non-Jews.
September 6, 1942 (Elul 24, 5702)
Background
French communist newspaper publishes a cover story about the extermination of 11,000 French Jews at Auschwitz.
October 10, 1942 (Tishrei 29, 5703)
Reports On The Holocaust
Small story on page 10 of the New York Times reported on the slaughter of Jews at Auschwitz.
November 25, 1942 (Kislev 16, 5703)
Forcibly Transported by Nazis
Forcibly Transported to Auschwitz
1943 (5703)
Ghetto
Krakow Ghetto Liquidated. Those deemed able to work were transported to the Płaszów concentration camp. Some 2,000 Jews unable to move or attempting to run were killed in the streets and in their homes. Operation Reinhard
March 13, 1943 (Adar II 6, 5703)
Background
Belgium Resistance attacks a train bound for Auschwitz and free 233 prisoners. It is the only mass escape from a Holocaust train.
April 19, 1943 (Nissan 14, 5703)
Death of a mother
estimated 1944 (5704)
Cause: Murdered by the Nazis.
Death of a husband
estimated 1944 (5704)
Cause: Murdered By Nazis
Invasion
Germany Occupies Hungary
March 19, 1944 (Adar 24, 5704)
Background
Two inmates, Slovak Jews Alfred Wetzler and Rudolf Vrba, escape from Auschwitz. They contact the Jewish council in Slovakia and give details about the murder of Jews at Auschwitz. A report is soon released to warn Hungary’s Jews of the Nazi plans to wipe out their community. The report initally does nothing to stop the mass deportation of Hungarian Jews to Auschwitz. Finally, in July 1944, after the report is published in the Swiss Press, Hungary is forced to stopped the deportation. The persecution of Hungarian Jews is continued in October 1944.
April 10, 1944 (Nissan 17, 5704)
Attack
D-Day, Allies Invade Normandy
June 6, 1944 (Sivan 15, 5704)
Deportation
435,000 Hungarian Jews Are Deported To Auschwitz
from May 15, 1944 (Iyar 22, 5704) to July 9, 1944 (Tamuz 18, 5704)
Background
Nazis Photograph Hungarian Jews Arriving At Auschwitz. Many Jews Were From The Sub-Carpathia Region. Theses photos became know as The Auschwitz Album/Lilly Jacob Album. Lilly Jacob, the woman who found the photos, was from Bilky, Ukraine.
May 26, 1944 (Sivan 4, 5704)
Forcibly Transported by Nazis
Forcibly Transported by Nazis
Erika Weiser Transported to Theresienstadt
1945 (5705)
Liberation
Russia Liberates Auschwitz
January 27, 1945 (Shevat 13, 5705)
33rd President of the United States
Harry S Truman
April 12, 1945 (Nissan 29, 5705)
Background
Germany unconditionally surrenders.
May 7, 1945 (Iyar 24, 5705)
Liberation
Erika Weiser Liberated from Theresienstadt
August 5, 1945 (Av 26, 5705)
Background
United States Detonates An Atomic Bomb Over Hiroshima, Japan.
August 6, 1945 (Av 27, 5705)
Background
Aoviet Union declares War on Japan.
August 8, 1945 (Av 29, 5705)
Background
United States Detonates An Atomic Bomb Over Nagasaki, Japan.
August 9, 1945 (Av 30, 5705)
Background
Japan anounces its surrender ending World War II.
from August 15, 1945 (Elul 6, 5705)
Emigration
Emigrated From Bremen, Germany To The United States
February 7, 1947 (Shevat 17, 5707)
Witness: Menhard Klein (aged 34 years) — husband
Note: My Dad, Menhard Klein, would tell the story about how my mother Erika Klein got very seasick on the ship from Germany to the United State. My parents would laugh about the story whenever it was told. Dad said that he would carry my mom around the ship. Looking at a photo of the USS Ernie Pyle that brought my parents to the United States, it must have a been a miserable ride. - David Klein
Immigration
Arrived in New York from Bremen, Germany
February 18, 1947 (Shevat 28, 5707)
Witness: Menhard Klein (aged 34 years) — husband
Residence
Address: 1640 University Avenue
New York, New York

The permanent USA address listed in the passenger list is 1640 University Avenue, New York, New York. 1632 University and 1640 University Avenue were the residences of different Popovitz family members. Those addresses were used, as well, by other family members who emigrated from Europe after WWII.

Photograph
Event
Declaration of Intention to become United States citizen is filed
August 26, 1947 (Elul 10, 5707)
Address: Supreme Court of the Bronx County
Background
UN General Assembly passes Resolution 181, adopting a plan to partition the Palestine British Mandate into two states, one Jewish, one Arab.
November 29, 1947 (Kislev 16, 5708)
Census
Address: 2100 Walton Avenue
Apt. B33
Bronx, New York
Naturalization
Note: Erika Weiser's Naturalization Papers were witnessed by Margaret Popovitz (nee Klein) and Eva Kohn (nee) Klein. Both were sisters of Menhard Klein, the husband of Erika Weiser.
Occupation
Candy Packer
from 1948 (5708) to 1953 (5713)
Employer: Germany Chocolate In Manhattan
Note: This was back in the late 1940’s/early 1950’s. She earned about 85 cents per hour. And the big bonus was probably all the chocolate she could eat. Mom always liked sweets.

This was back in the late 1940’s/early 1950’s. She earned about 85 cents per hour. And the big bonus was probably all the chocolate she could eat. Mom always liked sweets.

I remember Dad talking about the chocolate covered coffee beans that she used bring home. And I even remember my mom bring me down to the factory when I was about five. She was so happy visiting with a few friends.

Anyway, can’t help but think about the classic Lucille Ball skit when she worked the line at the chocolate factory.

I can just see my mom packing those chocolates, laughing with her coworkers.

I miss you.

Background
Israel declares its independence.
May 14, 1948 (Iyar 5, 5708)
Background
The Korean War begins when North Korea invades South Korea.
June 25, 1950 (Tamuz 10, 5710)
34th President of the United States
Dwight D Eisenhower
January 20, 1953 (Shevat 4, 5713)
Background
An armistice ends the fighting in the Korean War.
July 27, 1953 (Av 15, 5713)
35th President of the United States
John F Kennedy
January 20, 1961 (Shevat 3, 5721)
36th President of the United States
Lyndon B Johnson
November 22, 1963 (Kislev 6, 5724)
Bar Mitzvah
Address: Grand Concourse
Bronx, New York
37th President of the United States
38th President of the United States
Gerald Ford
August 9, 1974 (Av 21, 5734)
39th President of the United States
40th President of the United States
Illness
Address: 1468 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029
Number of children
2
Holocaust
yes
Death
Address: Mt. Sinai Hospital
1468 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10029
Cause of death: Natural Causes
Burial
Address: Woodbridge, New Jersey
Religion: Jewish
75th Wedding Anniversary
Note: Today is my parents' 75th Wedding Anniversary. I sure miss them.

Today is my parents' 75th Wedding Anniversary. I sure miss them.

I don't remember their wedding anniversary ever being much of a big deal. They didn't go out to dinner. I don't even think there was ever a cake or special meal. Maybe my father would give my mom some money to go buy herself a gift. That's about it.

I do remember when they were going to celebrate their 25th anniversary and thinking, "That's a long time."

Fifty years later, it's not that long.

David - 29 October 2021

Remembrance
Note: My mom always helped people. My father said that he met mom in Deggendorf after World War II when she was serving food to other Jewish refugees. I remember mom always schlepping groceries for older neighbors and giving up her bus seat to other riders. I sure miss my mom. I love you.

My mom always helped people. My father said that he met mom in Deggendorf after World War II when she was serving food to other Jewish refugees. I remember mom always schlepping groceries for older neighbors and giving up her bus seat to other riders. I sure miss my mom. I love you.
David - 11/22/2022

Remembrance
Note: In many households, December 25 is Christmas. In our home, it was my mom's birthday. We always had a party to celebrate. Strawberry shortcake was my mom's favorite. It is also mine. I love you Mom.

In many households, December 25 is Christmas. In our home, it was my mom's birthday. We always had a party to celebrate. Strawberry shortcake was my mom's favorite. It is also mine. I love you Mom.

David - 12/25/2021

Remembrance
Address: 1098 Woodbridge Center Dr
Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095
Note: There's this humorous story about this visit. For whatever reason, I thought that the name of the cemetary of Beth El. And when I researched getting there on Google Maps, I dutifully followed the directions. As I took a Path Train and then switched to another train in Hoboken, I kept thinking "This isn't how I went before." Well, when I finally get to the cemetery, the office tells me that my mother wasn't buried there." "What do you mean?" I said. "I was here before. This is Woodbridge. Right?" The man looked at me. "This is Paramus. Woodbridge is about thirty miles away." An hour and a half later, I was in the right place at Beth ISRAEL in WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEY. - David
Remembrance
76th Wedding Anniversary
October 29, 2022 (Heshvan 4, 5783)
Note: Happy 76th Wedding Anniversary, Mom and Dad.

Happy 76th Wedding Anniversary, Mom and Dad.

I miss you.

Love, David

Remembrance
Note: My mom usually had a smile. Which is remarkable when you understand that for eight years she was tortured by the Nazis and their collaborators. Mom never talked about her sufferings. She didn't want to burden me and my brother.

My mom usually had a smile. Which is remarkable when you understand that for eight years she was tortured by the Nazis and their collaborators. Mom never talked about her sufferings. She didn't want to burden me and my brother.

Mom's favorite day of the year was Yom Kippur. She explained, "I don't have to cook or clean."

I miss you.

Love,

David

Remembrance
106th Birthday
December 25, 2022 (Tevet 1, 5783)
Note: Happy birthday in heaven Aunt Erika

Happy birthday in heaven Aunt Erika

Love, Sharon

Happy Birthday, Mom.

I miss you.

Love, David

Family with parents
father
18991942
Birth: March 7, 1899Działoszyn, Poland
Death: 1942
mother
Hanni Brandstadter Krakow Application 1940
18921944
Birth: July 13, 1892 Kolomyia, Ukraine
Death: estimated 1944
Religious marriage Religious marriageestimated 1915
2 years
herself
Erika Weiser Estimated 1948
אסתר בת רי מאיר
19161988
Birth: December 25, 1916 17 24 Leipzig, Germany
Death: November 22, 1988New York, New York
Family with Menhard Klein
husband
Menhard Klein Posed Wearing Ascot
מנחם
19122005
Birth: September 26, 1912 41 36 Bilke, Hungary
Death: March 3, 2005
herself
Erika Weiser Estimated 1948
אסתר בת רי מאיר
19161988
Birth: December 25, 1916 17 24 Leipzig, Germany
Death: November 22, 1988New York, New York
son
Private
son
Private
Family with Bunne Pasternak
husband
herself
Erika Weiser Estimated 1948
אסתר בת רי מאיר
19161988
Birth: December 25, 1916 17 24 Leipzig, Germany
Death: November 22, 1988New York, New York
Marriage Marriageestimated 1941Poland
Arrested By Nazis
Date of entry in original source: December 14, 1959
Quality of data: secondary evidence
Event
Date of entry in original source: August 1940
Quality of data: primary evidence
Emigration
Immigration
Event
Naturalization
Illness
Death
Burial
Deportation

A record was found that indicated that Erika Weiser's mom was deported on October 28, 1938 from Leipzig to Poland. It is likely that Erika was deported in the same day.

From October 27 until October 29, 1938, the day before a Polish decree regarding the eligibility of passports was set to take effect, state authorities in Germany arrested approximately 17,000 Polish Jews and cancelled their German permits of residence. The Gestapo was easily able to locate those arrested through registration data and census files. After being arrested, thousands of Polish Jews were stripped of any personal property or money and put on trains. These trains brought the deportees to the Germany–Poland border.
Wikipedia

Forcibly Transported By Nazis

On the JewishGen Transport List, the name is listed as "Reni (sic) Brandstadter." "Reni" must be a confusion with "Hani." Otherwise, the specifics are identical including year of birth, "maiden name" of Weiser, and the same residential address as listed on the Krakow ID Application - "Grodzka 69 Krakau." The JewishGen website indicates the marital status as "verw." The marital statuses in German include: verheiratet" (married), "geschieden" (divorced) or "verwitwet" (widowed). So, it would indicate that Hanni was widowed. But on the Krakow Application, the marital status is listed as "gesch" which would mean divorced.

Emigration

My Dad, Menhard Klein, would tell the story about how my mother Erika Klein got very seasick on the ship from Germany to the United State. My parents would laugh about the story whenever it was told. Dad said that he would carry my mom around the ship. Looking at a photo of the USS Ernie Pyle that brought my parents to the United States, it must have a been a miserable ride. - David Klein

Residence
Shared note

The permanent USA address listed in the passenger list is 1640 University Avenue, New York, New York. 1632 University and 1640 University Avenue were the residences of different Popovitz family members. Those addresses were used, as well, by other family members who emigrated from Europe after WWII.

Naturalization

Erika Weiser's Naturalization Papers were witnessed by Margaret Popovitz (nee Klein) and Eva Kohn (nee) Klein. Both were sisters of Menhard Klein, the husband of Erika Weiser.

Occupation

This was back in the late 1940’s/early 1950’s. She earned about 85 cents per hour. And the big bonus was probably all the chocolate she could eat. Mom always liked sweets.

I remember Dad talking about the chocolate covered coffee beans that she used bring home. And I even remember my mom bring me down to the factory when I was about five. She was so happy visiting with a few friends.

Anyway, can’t help but think about the classic Lucille Ball skit when she worked the line at the chocolate factory.

I can just see my mom packing those chocolates, laughing with her coworkers.

I miss you.

75th Wedding Anniversary

Today is my parents' 75th Wedding Anniversary. I sure miss them.

I don't remember their wedding anniversary ever being much of a big deal. They didn't go out to dinner. I don't even think there was ever a cake or special meal. Maybe my father would give my mom some money to go buy herself a gift. That's about it.

I do remember when they were going to celebrate their 25th anniversary and thinking, "That's a long time."

Fifty years later, it's not that long.

David - 29 October 2021

Remembrance

My mom always helped people. My father said that he met mom in Deggendorf after World War II when she was serving food to other Jewish refugees. I remember mom always schlepping groceries for older neighbors and giving up her bus seat to other riders. I sure miss my mom. I love you.
David - 11/22/2022

Remembrance

In many households, December 25 is Christmas. In our home, it was my mom's birthday. We always had a party to celebrate. Strawberry shortcake was my mom's favorite. It is also mine. I love you Mom.

David - 12/25/2021

Remembrance

There's this humorous story about this visit. For whatever reason, I thought that the name of the cemetary of Beth El. And when I researched getting there on Google Maps, I dutifully followed the directions. As I took a Path Train and then switched to another train in Hoboken, I kept thinking "This isn't how I went before." Well, when I finally get to the cemetery, the office tells me that my mother wasn't buried there." "What do you mean?" I said. "I was here before. This is Woodbridge. Right?" The man looked at me. "This is Paramus. Woodbridge is about thirty miles away." An hour and a half later, I was in the right place at Beth ISRAEL in WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEY. - David

Remembrance

Happy 76th Wedding Anniversary, Mom and Dad.

I miss you.

Love, David

Remembrance

My mom usually had a smile. Which is remarkable when you understand that for eight years she was tortured by the Nazis and their collaborators. Mom never talked about her sufferings. She didn't want to burden me and my brother.

Mom's favorite day of the year was Yom Kippur. She explained, "I don't have to cook or clean."

I miss you.

Love,

David

Remembrance

Happy birthday in heaven Aunt Erika

Love, Sharon

Happy Birthday, Mom.

I miss you.

Love, David

Name

Esther Bat Ri Meir - I do not know what the Ri stands for.

Registration
Arrested By Nazis
Deportation
Event
Krakow Ghetto - Census
Forcibly Transported By Nazis
Forcibly Transported by Nazis
Hero's Journey
Emigration
Immigration
Photograph
Census
Naturalization
Occupation
Bar Mitzvah
Death
Burial
75th Wedding Anniversary
Remembrance
Remembrance
Remembrance
Remembrance
Remembrance
Remembrance
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Erika Weiser Estimated 1948
Erika Weiser Estimated 1948
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Brandstadter and Erika Weiser Krakow Transport List
Brandstadter and Erika Weiser Krakow Transport List
Note: This transport occurred on March 20, 1941 and was from Krakau-Stadt Lublin to Międzyrzec Podlaska. It was Transport # 66. On the list is "Brandstadter Heni geb. Weiser" and immediately below is her daughter "Weiser Erika."

This transport occurred on March 20, 1941 and was from Krakau-Stadt Lublin to Międzyrzec Podlaska. It was Transport # 66. On the list is "Brandstadter Heni geb. Weiser" and immediately below is her daughter "Weiser Erika."

The "geb. Weiser" next to the name of "Brandstadter Heni" would indicate that the "geboren" born/maiden name is "Weiser." This is probably wrong.

Erika Weiser after the war said that her mother's name was Brandstadter and that her father was "Michael Weiser." (She later named her first son "Michael."). Also, on the Protokoll Form that Hanni Brandstadter completed herself, she indicated that she was "gesch." The german word for divorced is "geschieden." It is sometimes abbreviated as "gesch."

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Meynhart Klein and Erika Weiser Picnicking
Meynhart Klein and Erika Weiser Picnicking
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Meynhart Klein and Erika Weiser at Beach
Meynhart Klein and Erika Weiser at Beach
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Erika Weiser Birthday Celebration
Erika Weiser Birthday Celebration
Note: Christmas Day in a Jewish family is not usually a reason to celebrate. Unless your birthday happens to fall on December 25.
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Erika Weiser And Margit Klein Hugging Est 1946
Erika Weiser And Margit Klein Hugging Est 1946
Note: This lovely photo is believed to have been taken in 1946 in the Bronx, New York.
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Erika Weiser and Menhard Klein at Mitchell Popovitz Wedding
Erika Weiser and Menhard Klein at Mitchell Popovitz Wedding
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Erika Weiser and Menhard Klein In Park
Erika Weiser and Menhard Klein In Park
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Menhard Klein and Erika Klein Far Rockaway
Menhard Klein and Erika Klein Far Rockaway
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A Hero's Journey - Map - Small
A Hero's Journey - Map - Small
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Family Friends Cassel Immigration Passenger List
Family Friends Cassel Immigration Passenger List
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Fred Cassel Auschwitz Registration
Fred Cassel Auschwitz Registration
Note: Fred and Vera Cassel were close friends of my mother. Fred always had a smile on his face. His wife, Vera, was a very nice person. Häftlingspersonalbogen (prisoner registration forms) 1 through 331 for female prisoners at the women's camp at Auschwitz and Häftlingspersonalbogen 1 through 4,500 for male prisoners at the Auschwitz main camp. Each of the Häftlingspersonalbogen contains information about a particular Jew brought to Auschwitz from one of a number of locations in Europe, such as date of birth, place of birth, marital status, date of arrest, date of entry into the camp, nationality, occupation, religion, race, and physical appearance. [PRISONER REGISTRATION FORMS FROM AUSCHWITZ] (ID: 21303) USHMM