A Cry For Help from Nazi Germany

Authors

Object ID

2014.1.100

Object Name

Postcard

Date

6-12-1940

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

Front: White postcard with message and address written in blue ink. Includes two green postage stamps, one blue stamp, and several hand stamps. Back: Continuation of message.

Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:

Postcard (with Nazi censor mark at upper right) airmailed from Mannheim to New York; sent by Dr. Siegfried Israel Basnizki and his wife Margrete to relatives in the U.S. "We are fine, why do we not hear from you? People here are being invited to the immigration office, why are we not among them? Have you transferred the funds that we sent you to use as financial guarantee funds? L. Jonnah of the Leipzig office said that the $500 required as insurance for immigration has not been received. In case you transferred it, please ask for confirmation to be sent to us... We do not want to lose more time." Thus, Seigfried and his wife urged the family to assist them as time was rapidly running out. Margrete added the following: "I am miserable from your silence. We do not ask for much. Just do it and we will be successful. Do not forsake us." At this time, the Nazis allowed and indeed encouraged emigration of German Jews. The Zentralstelle Fur Judische Auswanderung (Central Office of Jewish Emigration) assisted in this process. The office provided passports and arranged legal and procedural matters. The sum of $500 was required as financial assurance that the person would be leaving the country. Sadly, Dr. Basnizki and Margrete failed to get the appropriate papers for their rescue. They both perished the same day in Auschwitz, three years after sending this postcard.

Dimensions

4 x 5 3/4"

Keywords

Israel, Basnizki, Censored, Nazis, German

Subcollection

Early, Personal

Recommended Citation

"A Cry For Help from Nazi Germany" (1940). Bulmash Family Holocaust Collection. 2014.1.100.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/bulmash/392