Erika Weiser, 1916–1988 (aged 71 years)
- Name
- Erika /Weiser/
- Given names
- Erika
- Nickname
- Eri
- Surname
- Weiser
- Also known as
- Erika /Pasternak/
- Also known as
- Erika /Klein/
- Name
- //אסתר בת רי מאיר
- Type of name
- religious name
|
Birth
|
|
|---|---|
|
Background
|
Russian Czar Nicholas is forced to abdicate the throne.
March 15, 1917 (Adar 21, 5677) (aged 2 months)
|
|
Background
|
|
|
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) (aged 10 months)
|
|
Background
|
|
|
Background
|
|
|
Background
|
In the United States, the 18th Amendment Prohibition of alcohol becomes effective.
January 17, 1920 (Tevet 26, 5680) (aged 3 years)
|
|
Background
|
In Czechoslovakia, women are given the right to vote when the Constitution is enacted.
February 29, 1920 (Adar 10, 5680) (aged 3 years)
|
|
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) (aged 3 years)
|
|
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) (aged 3 years)
|
|
Background
|
In the United States, the 18th Amendment is certified and women are given the right to vote.
August 26, 1920 (Elul 12, 5680) (aged 3 years)
|
|
29th President of the United States
|
|
|
Background
|
In the United States, the Emergency Quota Act restricts the number of immigrants.
May 21, 1921 (Iyar 13, 5681) (aged 4 years)
|
|
Background
|
In Soviet Union, Stalin becomes General Secretary of Communist Party.
April 3, 1922 (Nissan 5, 5682) (aged 5 years)
|
|
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) (aged 6 years)
|
|
30th President of the United States
|
|
|
Background
|
Hyperinflation occurs in Germany as a result of debt/reparations owed from World War I.
from 1921 (5681) to 1923 (5683) (aged 6 years)
|
|
Background
|
Mein Kampf, Hitler's autobigraphical manifesto, is published. Hitler compliments Henry Ford by name.
July 18, 1925 (Tamuz 26, 5685) (aged 8 years)
|
|
31st President of the United States
|
|
|
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) (aged 12 years)
|
|
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) (aged 13 years)
|
|
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) (aged 15 years)
|
|
Background
|
Heinrich Bruning, Chancellor Of German, announces his Cabinet's resignation. Hitler becomes chancellor eight months later.
May 30, 1932 (Iyar 24, 5692) (aged 15 years)
|
|
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) (aged 15 years)
|
|
Background
|
|
|
32nd President of the United States
|
|
|
Background
|
In the United States, the 18th Amendment is repealed and alcohol becomes legal again.
December 5, 1933 (Kislev 17, 5694) (aged 16 years)
|
|
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) (aged 16 years)
|
|
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) (aged 18 years)
|
|
Background
|
1936 Summer Olympics begins in Berlin, Germany. German Jewish athletes were barred.
August 1, 1936 (Av 13, 5696) (aged 19 years)
|
|
Registration
|
|
|
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) (aged 20 years)
|
|
Arrested By Nazis
|
Date of entry in original source: December 14, 1959 Quality of data: secondary evidence |
|
Background
|
|
|
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) (aged 21 years)
|
|
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) (aged 21 years)
|
|
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. |
|
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) (aged 21 years)
|
|
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) (aged 21 years)
|
|
Pogrom
|
Kristallnacht
from November 9, 1938 (Heshvan 15, 5699) to November 10, 1938 (Heshvan 16, 5699) (aged 21 years)
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
|
|
|
Background
|
Carpathian Ruthenia Region, of which Bilky is a part of, declares its indepedence from Czechoslovakia.
March 15, 1939 (Adar 24, 5699) (aged 22 years)
|
|
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) (aged 22 years)
|
|
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) (aged 22 years)
|
|
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) (aged 22 years)
|
|
Invasion
|
|
|
Declaration Of War
|
Great Britain and France Declare War Against Germany
September 3, 1939 (Elul 19, 5699) (aged 22 years)
|
|
Background
|
|
|
Background
|
Soviet Union and Germany divide Poland by German–Soviet Boundary and Friendship Treaty.
September 28, 1939 (Tishrei 15, 5700) (aged 22 years)
|
|
Deportation
|
Germany begins deportation of Austrian and Czech Jews to Poland
October 12, 1939 (Tishrei 29, 5700) (aged 22 years)
|
|
Background
|
In Poland, all Jews above the age of 11 must wear white armbands with the Jewish Star.
November 23, 1939 (Kislev 11, 5700) (aged 22 years)
|
|
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) (aged 22 years)
|
|
Krakow Ghetto - Census
|
Jewish census of the city of Krakow, marked to indicate deportation to the ghetto
about 1940 (5700) (aged 23 years)
|
|
Invasion
|
|
|
Invasion
|
|
|
Background
|
|
|
Concentration Camp
|
|
|
Background
|
Dunkirk Evacuation.
from May 26, 1940 (Iyar 18, 5700) to June 4, 1940 (Iyar 27, 5700) (aged 23 years)
|
|
Surrender
|
|
|
Event
|
Submits Application for a Krakow Ghetto Identification Card
August 8, 1940 (Av 4, 5700) (aged 23 years)
Address: SKAWINERGASSE Nr. 2 Krakow, Poland Date of entry in original source: August 1940 Quality of data: primary evidence |
|
Ghetto
|
|
|
Marriage
|
|
|
Ghetto
|
|
|
Forcibly Transported By Nazis
|
Transported from Krakau-Stadt to Międzyrzec Podlaska
March 20, 1941 (Adar 21, 5701) (aged 24 years)
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) (aged 24 years)
|
|
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) (aged 24 years)
|
|
Attack
|
|
|
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) (aged 25 years)
|
|
Background
|
First convoy of Jews from France are sent to Auschwitz.
March 27, 1942 (Nissan 9, 5702) (aged 25 years)
|
|
Background
|
Jewish Dutch people ordered to wear the Jewish yellow badge.
April 29, 1942 (Iyar 12, 5702) (aged 25 years)
|
|
Background
|
Jewish Belgians people ordered to wear the Jewish yellow badge.
June 3, 1942 (Sivan 18, 5702) (aged 25 years)
|
|
Background
|
Jews in Occuppied France ordered to wear the Jewish yellow badge.
June 7, 1942 (Sivan 22, 5702) (aged 25 years)
|
|
Deportation
|
Germany begins the deportation of Dutch Jews from camps in the Netherlands
July 15, 1942 (Av 1, 5702) (aged 25 years)
|
|
Hungarian Anti-Jewish Laws
|
Hungary abolishes the status of Judaism as a received religion.
July 19, 1942 (Av 5, 5702) (aged 25 years)
|
|
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) (aged 25 years)
|
|
Background
|
French communist newspaper publishes a cover story about the extermination of 11,000 French Jews at Auschwitz.
October 10, 1942 (Tishrei 29, 5703) (aged 25 years)
|
|
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) (aged 25 years)
|
|
Forcibly Transported by Nazis
|
|
|
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) (aged 26 years)
|
|
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) (aged 26 years)
|
|
Death of a mother
|
Cause: Murdered by the Nazis. |
|
Death of a husband
|
Cause: Murdered By Nazis |
|
Invasion
|
|
|
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) (aged 27 years)
|
|
Attack
|
|
|
Deportation
|
435,000 Hungarian Jews Are Deported To Auschwitz
from May 15, 1944 (Iyar 22, 5704) to July 9, 1944 (Tamuz 18, 5704) (aged 27 years)
|
|
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) (aged 27 years)
|
|
Forcibly Transported by Nazis
|
|
|
Forcibly Transported by Nazis
|
|
|
Liberation
|
|
|
33rd President of the United States
|
|
|
Background
|
|
|
Liberation
|
|
|
Background
|
United States Detonates An Atomic Bomb Over Hiroshima, Japan.
August 6, 1945 (Av 27, 5705) (aged 28 years)
|
|
Background
|
|
|
Background
|
United States Detonates An Atomic Bomb Over Nagasaki, Japan.
August 9, 1945 (Av 30, 5705) (aged 28 years)
|
|
Background
|
Japan anounces its surrender ending World War II.
from August 15, 1945 (Elul 6, 5705) (aged 28 years)
|
|
Emigration
|
Emigrated From Bremen, Germany To The United States
February 7, 1947 (Shevat 17, 5707) (aged 30 years)
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) (aged 30 years)
Witness: Menhard Klein (aged 34 years) — husband |
|
Residence
|
Address: 1640 University Avenue New York, New York Shared note: The permanent USA address listed in the passenger list is 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) (aged 30 years)
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) (aged 30 years)
|
|
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
|
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
|
|
|
Background
|
The Korean War begins when North Korea invades South Korea.
June 25, 1950 (Tamuz 10, 5710) (aged 33 years)
|
|
34th President of the United States
|
|
|
Background
|
|
|
35th President of the United States
|
|
|
36th President of the United States
|
|
|
Bar Mitzvah
|
Address: Grand Concourse Bronx, New York |
|
37th President of the United States
|
|
|
38th President of the United States
|
|
|
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. |
|
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
|
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
|
Note: Happy birthday in heaven Aunt Erika Happy birthday in heaven Aunt Erika Love, Sharon Happy Birthday, Mom. I miss you. Love, David |
| father | |
|---|---|
| mother | |
| Religious marriage | Religious marriage — estimated 1915 — |
|
2 years
herself |
…אסתר בת רי מאיר
1916–1988
Birth: December 25, 1916
17
24
— Leipzig, Germany Death: November 22, 1988 — New York, New York |
| husband |
…מנחם
1912–2005
Birth: September 26, 1912
41
36
— Bilke, Hungary Death: March 3, 2005 |
|---|---|
| herself |
…אסתר בת רי מאיר
1916–1988
Birth: December 25, 1916
17
24
— Leipzig, Germany Death: November 22, 1988 — New York, New York |
| son |
Private
–
|
| son |
Private
–
|
| husband | |
|---|---|
| herself |
…אסתר בת רי מאיר
1916–1988
Birth: December 25, 1916
17
24
— Leipzig, Germany Death: November 22, 1988 — New York, New York |
| Marriage | Marriage — estimated 1941 — Poland |
| 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. |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 | |
|
Media object
|
|
|
Media object
|
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." |
|
Media object
|
|
|
Media object
|
|
|
Media object
|
Note: Christmas Day in a Jewish family is not usually a reason to celebrate. Unless your birthday happens to fall on December 25. |
|
Media object
|
Note: This lovely photo is believed to have been taken in 1946 in the Bronx, New York. |
|
Media object
|
|
|
Media object
|
|
|
Media object
|
|
|
Media object
|
|
|
Media object
|
|
|
Media object
|
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 |