Language:
English
Pages:
73
,
bound typescript; illustrated.
Year of publication:
2001
Keywords:
Moskiewicz, Else,
;
Hirschfeld, Rahel.
;
Hirschfeld family.
;
Samolewitz, Moritz (Moshe),
;
Samolewitz, Leopold,
;
Kristallnacht, 1938.
;
Lawyers.
;
World War, 1914-1918 Military life.
;
Education, Primary.
;
Education, Secondary.
;
Education, Higher.
;
Families.
;
Orthodox Judaism.
;
Antisemitism.
;
Social classes.
;
World War, 1914-1918.
;
World War, 1939-1945.
;
Berlin (Germany)
;
Germany.
;
Palestine Emigration and immigration 1930s.
;
Autobiographies
;
Biographical sources
;
Memoirs
Abstract:
Translation from the original German by Leopold's son Harvey W. Samo, formerly Hans Werner Samolewitz, and his wife Eva Samo, née Isaac-Krieger.
Abstract:
The memoirs of Leopold Samolewitz were written during 1956 to 1958 in Jerusalem. Reflections on the author's identity as a German-Jewish emigre. Description of life in Imperial Germany at the turn-of-the century. Relationship between social classes and gender roles. Reflections on the Jewish community in Berlin and the differences between Eastern and Western Jews. Jewish influence on the cultural life in Berlin. Reflections on antisemitism. German Jewish life in a Christian surroundings. Reflections on his religious standing. History of German Jews and emancipation.
Abstract:
Description of his father's orthodox family background. Moritz Samolewitz was born 1840 in Gollub, a small town between Russia and Poland, where Jewish life was restricted. He moved to Berlin with his wife Rahel and they struggled to make a living. Birth of their children Isidor, Georg, Martha and Leopold. Description of the author's childhood in an orthodox Jewish home. His parents established a shoe and clothing business. Recreation at the spas of Bad Teplitz and Bad Kissingen. Living conditions in a working-class neighborhood. At age 6 Leopold attended the religious school of Israel Hildesheimer. Recollections of his Bar Mitzvah. He was enrolled in the Humbold Gymnasium. After some antisemitic incidents as the only Jewish student at school Leopold transferred to the Sophien Gymnasium, where he graduated in 1902. He enrolled at university as a law student. Recollections of the author's encounter with antisemitism as a student. He was a member of the student fraternity "Freie Wissenschaftliche Vereinigung". Military service with the "Garde Regiment" in Bavaria. In 1912 he married his fiance Else Moskiewicz, who was a passionate art collector. The couple had two sons. Leopold served and was wounded during World War One. During his thriving career as a lawyer he was offered a position as a judge on the condition to be baptized, which he refused. During the night of the November pogrom in 1938 he was hidden with his wife at the house of a German family and spared deportation. In 1939 he left Germany with his wife and they emigrated to Palestine, where their son Kurt had established himself. Leopold Samolewitz took classes in Hebrew, English as well as British and Jewish law and passed the bar examination to start working again at age 58. Addendum: Completions of his son Harvey W. Samo (Hans Werner Samolewitz) on his father's life.
Note:
English
,
Synopsis in file
URL:
http://digital.cjh.org/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=410597&custom_att_2=simple_viewer
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