Language:
English
Pages:
271 pages (3 folders) :
,
typed manuscript.
Year of publication:
1982
Keywords:
Oppenheim, Benjamin,
;
Oppenheim, Anna,
;
Oppenheim family.
;
Kahane, Arnold
;
Betar.
;
Antisemitism.
;
Christmas.
;
Families 20th century.
;
Kristallnacht, 1938.
;
Jews Persecutions.
;
World War, 1939-1945.
;
National socialism.
;
Jews Education.
;
Jews Holidays and festivals.
;
World War, 1914-1918.
;
Austria History Anschluss, 1938.
;
Australia Emigration and immigration.
;
Brisbane (Qld.)
;
England.
;
Grado (Italy)
;
Hornchurch (London, England)
;
Prague (Czech Republic)
;
Vienna (Austria)
;
Autobiographies
;
Biographical sources
;
Memoirs
Abstract:
The memoirs were written in 1982 in Sydney, Australia and include excerpts of letters from various relatives during the years 1938-1941. Early childhood recollections of World War One. The family was living in the 6th district of Vienna. Description of domestic life with maids, laundresses and a French governess. Death of her mother in 1918. Trip with her stepmother Ida Plohn to Prague. Recollections of a stay in the countryside at their maid's family, where Selma and her older sister Martha awaited the birth of their younger sister Trude. Memories of Christmas celebrations. Summer vacations in the mountains. Description of the extended family. Inflation and economic depression in the 1920s. Strict upbringing by her stepmother. Children recreation trip to Grado, Italy in 1925. Selma was accepted at the "Bundeserziehungsanstalt" for gifted students. Only few fellow Jewish students. Religious education with beloved rabbi Diamant. Recovery from tonsilitis in a senatorium in Aflenz, Austria. Celebration of Jewish holidays and visits at the Synagogue on Yom Kippur. Transfer to Realschule. Due to a sudden onset of various illnesses Selma was unable to continue school and had put an end to her father's dream of an university education for her. Difficult to find a position in the depression times of the early 1930s. Only few working options for a Jewish woman. Position as a secretary in a Jewish firm. Outings in the Vienna Woods. Membership in the Zionist group Betar.
Abstract:
Plans to emigrate to Palestine through marriage of convenience shattered by her orthodox parents. Signs of rising National Socialism and political unrest in Austria. Recollections of the civil war in February of 1934. Selma joined a Jewish club. Outings and skiing trips. First courtships. Marriage of her sister Martha. Awareness of the dangers of National Socialism. Detailed recollections on the time before and during the the Anschluss. Preparation for her emigration. Position as a domestic servant in England. Departure on November 2nd 1938, few days before the "Kristallnacht". Adjusting to her new life with a family in Hornchurch, in England. Attempts to find positions for family members and friends. Brief reunion with her fiance Arnold in London prior to his departure to Australia in Febrary of 1939. In March of 1939 her sister Trude was finally able to join her in England. Fervent endeavors to obtain entry permits for her parents. Preparations for Selma's emigration to Australia, in order to join her fiance, were finally granted in October of 1939. Delayment of her passage until May of 1940. Arrival in Capetown, Australia on June 9th of 1940. Reunition with her fiance in Brisbane and new life with future husband in Ravenshoe. Difficulties in obtaining a marriage licence. Wedding in August of 1940. The couple started to run a bording house. Birth of their daughter Marie in June of 1941. Their son Ronny was born in September of 1942. Dreadful news from Europe. Birth of daughter Sylvia in 1945. Letters from her sister Martha, who survived the concentration camp. In 1948 she finally was able to join Selma in Australia.
Note:
English
,
Synopsis in file
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