Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of figures
- Acknowledgments
- Family trees
- 1 Introduction
- 2 German-Jewish lives from emancipation through the Weimar Republic
- 3 Losing one's business and citizenship: the Geschwister Kaufmann, 1933–1938
- 4 Professional roadblocks and personal detours: Lotti and Marianne, 1933–1938
- 5 The November Pogrom (1938) and its consequences for Kurt and his family
- 6 New beginnings in Palestine, 1935–1939: Lotti and Kurt
- 7 Rescuing loved ones trapped in Nazi Germany, 1939–1942
- 8 Wartime rumors and postwar revelations
- 9 Epilogue
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
9 - Epilogue
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of figures
- Acknowledgments
- Family trees
- 1 Introduction
- 2 German-Jewish lives from emancipation through the Weimar Republic
- 3 Losing one's business and citizenship: the Geschwister Kaufmann, 1933–1938
- 4 Professional roadblocks and personal detours: Lotti and Marianne, 1933–1938
- 5 The November Pogrom (1938) and its consequences for Kurt and his family
- 6 New beginnings in Palestine, 1935–1939: Lotti and Kurt
- 7 Rescuing loved ones trapped in Nazi Germany, 1939–1942
- 8 Wartime rumors and postwar revelations
- 9 Epilogue
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Requiem for a Family
The family: on both sides deeply rooted for centuries in Germany, on Mother's side in the Rhineland and on Father's in [the kingdom of] Hanover.
Today would be the 106th [actually 105th] birthday of my father – if he were still alive. Thank God – I shudder to say that – he left this world at age 66 and was able to take his last breath in his own bed, lovingly surrounded by his family.
That was in June 1933.
My Mother was not that fortunate: the day after tomorrow she would have completed a full century. Unfortunately her health was so good – I shudder to have to say that – that she held on to become almost 70, only to be sent to Auschwitz, with a short detour in Theresienstadt. What that means I certainly don't have to explain.
That was in September 1942.
And me? I have a simple motive in mentioning myself. Once again, two days following what was Mother's birthday – and up until now I have had a remarkable constitution, despite everything – so provided all goes well I will also experience my own birthday. […]
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Life and Loss in the Shadow of the HolocaustA Jewish Family's Untold Story, pp. 238 - 251Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011