1938 Letter/Postcard 2

The Siblings of Max Müller II in the Third Reich 1933-1945

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Clara Müller und Bertha Stern, in Themar, writing to Willi Müller in Palestine (on/around December 7th 1938)

Dearest Willi,

Your wonderful, and very detailed, letter from the 12th of November and another from November 22nd arrived at the same time! Now I have 3 letters from you that Papa has not yet seen…I will take sure to take special care of them in the hope that Papa can read them on his return…I hope that he will be coming home soon. Just imagine, Herbert [Clara’s son] came for a visit on Monday evening [December 5th-this meant that he had been released from Buchenwald]. We were all elated! [Artur] Plaut and Herbert Gassenheimer were with him as well as Erich Rosengarten. Lothar [Frankenberg], Uncle Max [Müller I, born 1873] [Hugo] Grünbaum, [Moritz] Sachs, [Max] Bachmann, and the 3 old Marisfelders [Isaak and Jacob Kahn] are now all at (back) home. Albert Wolf [Herbert Müller’s brother-in-law] is helping us to secure a guarantor. The Amrans [related through Max Müller II, Clara’s husband] wrote today and mentioned they had sent message to Herbert Schwed [relative of Clara] in Petaluma (California, USA) in respect to him acting as a guarantor for Aunt Else [Müller Nussbaum] Now they have received a message that guarantees are in place for Karolinchen [Karolina Müller Goldmeier], Else [Müller Nussbaum], Max [Müller II, Clara’s husband] and Sebald [Müller], let’s see how things develop in respect to securing a guarantor for their respective spouses. Meinhold wrote to us during his trip describing it in the most wonderful detail. He has seen and experienced quite a bit and he would love to share that with you as well. He asked that I pass on his letter to you and I will do so as soon as Papa has returned and read it. Thanks so much for your birthday wishes (Clara was born 14 Nov 1890) Of course I didn’t celebrate as all our men were already gone. I’m relieved that you like it there (in Palestine) You described everything in great detail. On Saturdays all German Jews have house arrest from 12 noon until 8pm.

Uncle Sebald [Müller] is hopeful his children [Norbert, born 1924, and Susanna, born 1925] will be able to leave with a group and find at least a temporary home with friends in Belgium. Did I already let you know that Mau [ ??] was in Denmark with Julius [Müller]? Old Scheulen has died, as Ortweiler in Meinigen. Herbert wants to add a few lines to the letter when he comes tomorrow. I sent your [?] almost 3 weeks ago and hope it has arrived by now. I unfortunately am unable to ask Papa about the rubber boots, so it’s best if you buy some local…Maybe you can get them for a lesser price…With affection and sending you much love, your Mama….

Dear Meinhold & Willi…As you see I am still here with your darling Mother who has been quite desperate for company…My health has been failing as of late. Have you heard/seen of our relatives, the Oppenheims? [Siegfried and Berta Oppenheim immigrated into Palestine in the mid-1930s] I am certain they would be happy to hear some news from home. Their son is a charming young man by the name of Manfred. I will probably be moving into an old age home in Hannover as your parents are leaving as well. Stay well and I send you the very warmest regards, your Oma [Bertha Nussbaum, née Stern]

Herbert [Müller] was hoping to add a few lines but will not be joining us as he is driving Herbert Gassenheimer to Gotha [probably to visit Dr. Ernst Ledermann, who wrote letters to the Gestapo on behalf of the Themar Jews for release from Buchenwald]. From what we hear the immigration quota for the USA is full for the next 4 years. If none of the countries abroad open their doors for us guarantees will not be of any help. We are all quite upset.