Letter from Sachsenhausen Inmate

Authors

Object ID

2012.1.525

Object Name

Letter

Date

7-15-1944

Files

Content Warning

The Bulmash Family Holocaust Collection consists of images, documents, and artifacts related to the Holocaust. The collection contains materials that depict a number of topics that may be difficult for viewers to engage with, including: antisemitic descriptions, caricatures, and representation of Jewish people; Nazi imagery and ideology; descriptions and images of German ghettos; graphic images of the violence of the Holocaust; and the creation of the State of Israel. For more information, see our policy page.

Description

Tan Sachsenhausen stationery with printed regulations and lines. Includes a message written in blue ink. Includes address to Hilenke Zoubkore from Zander Zorbek.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:

This letter from a 48-year-old Czechoslovakian prisoner at Sachsenhausen to his wife reflects his concern about his relationship with her -- damage that his imprisonment at the hands of the Nazis not only created, but now also limits his ability to repair. This letter was written in good German but has mistakes characteristic of Czechoslovakian speakers of German. This letter was written five days before army conspirators attempted to assassinate Hitler.

Translation: Sachsenhausen, July 15, 1944.The day of release cannot be given yet. Visits to the camp are forbidden. Inquiries are useless. Extract of the camp regulations: Each detainee may write or receive two letters or postcards per month. Incoming letters may not have more than 4 pages of 15 lines each and they must be written in a clear and readable form. Remittances of money are only allowed by postal order whose coupon may only contain the first and last name, birth date, and number of the detainee, but no communications of any sort. Money and photos or picture enclosures in letters are forbidden. Postal sendings that do not comply with these regulations will be denied [admittance]. Poorly organized or hard to read letters will be destroyed. Everything can be bought in the camp. National Socialist newspapers are permitted but must be ordered within the concentration camp by the detainee himself. Food packages may be received at any time and in any amount. The Camp Commander. Dear Helen! I thank you for your letter of the 28th of June and for the packages of June 23, June 30, and July 4. Best thanks also to the [name] but they shouldn't send me anymore.. If I should need anything I will write. Please let me know how you meant it in your letter before the last with the greatest humiliation of a woman through a man. I do not understand that well. In reading your letter I walked with you through our entire place [could refer to a farm]. I thought of each little place which reminded me of any happy, content, and beautiful experience. I do not think about the discontented ones. Do not forget to tell me what became of the firm [illegible] and co. Dearest K-I thank you for the "[trade name of time]" you sent. It lasted me about 14 days. [Name] and [name] I also thank for the letter of May 27. I would like it to end soon. I send my greeting to Uncle --, and I'm looking forward to his news. I thank dear Maryanke, for her greetings, and I return them. I wish her good health Kisses, your Janke.

Dimensions

7 3/4 x 5 1/4"

Keywords

Sachsenhausen, Oranienburg, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hilenke Zoubkore, Helen Zoubkore, Janke Zorbek, Janke Zoubkore

Subcollection

Concentration

Recommended Citation

"Letter from Sachsenhausen Inmate" (1944). Bulmash Family Holocaust Collection. 2012.1.525.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/bulmash/1237