When Hitler and the Nazi party took power in 1933, there were approximately 525,000 Jews living in Germany. An initial wave of Jews – more than 37,000- chose to emigrate as Jews were subject to increasing persecution in the form of physical violence, loss of civil liberties, dismissal from government jobs, and the boycotting of Jewish- owned businesses. Political persecution continued and deepened with the Nuremberg Race Laws of 1935, but Jews found it increasingly difficult to emigrate due to intransigent enforcement of quota systems on immigration and the concomitant unwillingness of nations to accept Jewish refugees. Many Jews were hoping that the worst was over and that they could reach an accommodation with the Nazi government. However, the Kristallnacht pogrom of November 1938 with the assault on Jewish property, the burning of synagogues and murder of Jewish citizens, disabused them of that illusion and created a flood of applicants for visas.
Gertrude Katzenstein, her father Leopold- a merchant in Bremen- and mother Bella (nee Rosenheim) were fortunate enough to be able to emigrate to New York in December 1938, just after Kristallnacht, on the ship “Europa”. They changed the family surname to Kaston, perhaps not wishing to draw unwanted attention to the fact that they were Jews. Seventeen-year-old Gertrude as well changed her name to Gerdy. They eventually obtained United States citizenship in 1944. Biographical data on Jews from lower Franconia in Germany indicates that Gerdy’s grandmother (Karoline Katzenstein)-Leopold’s mother-was less fortunate, having been deported from Bremen to Theresienstadt where she perished.
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Birth Certificate for Gertrude Katzenstein, Daughter of Leopold Katzenstein and Bella Katzenstein
2012.1.39
Tan document with serial number 3243 and writing in black ink.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Gertrude Katzenstein, a German citizen who was able to escape Nazi Germany and emigrate to America.
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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U.S. Certificate of Naturalization for Gerdy Kaston (formerly Gertrude Katzenstein)
2012.1.40
Document with decorative border, titled, "Certficiate of Naturalization" with serial number 6295095. Includes several signatures, as well as printed and typewritten information. Several lines of text on back.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Gertrude Katzenstein, a German citizen who was able to escape Nazi Germany and emigrate to America.
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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Work-Related Contract Relating to Gertrude Katzenstein Prior to Emigrating From Germany
2012.1.38ab
Two page document titled, "Lehr=Dertrag" with printed and typewritten information.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Contract with responsibilities for an apprentice tailor for the Robert Neben Company in Bremen, Germany signed by Gertrude Katzenstein and her father Leopold in 1937.
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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"Arbeitsbuch" (Employment Record) for Gertrude Katzenstein
2012.1.94
Green booklet with brown cover including Nazi eagle and swastika. Titled, "Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch. Interior consists of charts and writing.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
An employment record or evaluation stating that Ms. Katzenstein is an apprentice tailor.
[ Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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"Reisepass" (Passport) for Gertrude Katzenstein
2012.1.95a
Dark green cover with Nazi eagle, titled "Deutsches Reich Reisepass." Interior includes biographical information about and a black and white photo of Gertrude Katzenstein.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Passport with picture of Gerdy born July 31, 1921and stamped with “J” for Jew, by this time (1938) required, as is her middle name “Sara” also required of Jewish females. Hand stamped by “president of police” in Bremen. [ Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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Insert From "Reisepass" for Gertrude Katzenstein
2012.1.95b
Tan paper with printed text, titled, "Merfblatt für Reifen in das Ausland." Found in the Reisepass for Gertrude Katzenstein (2012.1.95a).
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Leaflet with information for travelers to foreign countries
[ Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]
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Dress with German Star of David
2012.1.566
A black dress with an attached yellow Star of David patch with the word 'Jude' written on it.
Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash:
Dress with German Star of David and “Jude” owned by Gertrude Katzenstein (Gerdy Kaston)
[Items relating to Gertrude Katzenstein: 2012.1.38ab, 2012.1.39, 2012.1.40, 2012.1.94, 2012.1.95ab, 2012.1.566]