Black yarmulke worn by a Hungarian rabbi
- Date
-
use:
before 1943
received: approximately 1939
- Geography
-
manufacture:
United States
use: Hungary
- Language
-
English
- Classification
-
Jewish Art and Symbolism
- Category
-
Jewish ceremonial objects
- Object Type
-
Yarmulkes (lcsh)
- Genre/Form
-
Ceremonial objects.
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Eva Ehrlich
Black yarmulke owned by Rabbi Simon Hevesi, likely acquired in 1939, when he traveled to the United States to receive an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Society of America. A yarmulke is a skullcap worn by observant Jewish males. Simon Handler became an ordained rabbi in 1894, and was appointed chief rabbi in Kassa, Hungary (now Košice, Slovakia) followed by Lugos (now Lugoj, Romania) in 1897. As part of a pilgrimage study trip to Palestine, Simon met the leaders of the Jewish community in Budapest. At their invitation, Simon moved with his wife and five children to Budapest in 1905 and changed their last name to Hevesi. As a rabbi in the Dohány Street synagogue, Simon became a leader in the community, was a beloved speaker, and held a professorship in oratory at the Rabbinical Institute. He was elected chief rabbi of Hungary in 1927 and became president of the National Rabbinical Association. In 1930, Simon’s son, Ferenc, moved to Budapest with his wife and daughter, and also became a rabbi at the Dohány synagogue. In 1939, Simon traveled to the United States, and was given an honorary doctorate by the Jewish Theological Society of America. During his tenure in Budapest, Simon founded or served as a board member of numerous institutions and organizations, and was a prolific writer and editor of Jewish scholarly works. When Simon died in 1943, Ferenc and a colleague succeeded him as co-chief rabbis.
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Record last modified: 2022-07-28 18:32:36
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn3337
Also in Ferenc Hevesi family collection
The collection consists of Jewish religious attire, athletic medals, commemorative plaques, and copy prints relating to the experiences of Rabbis Simon and Ferenc Hevesi and their family in Budapest, Hungary, before and during the Holocaust. Some of these materials may be combined into a single collection in the future.
Date: 1923-1944
Komjadi commemorative medal owned by a Hungarian Jewish family
Object
Medal depicting Jewish Hungarian Bela Komjadi, awarded to a cousin of Eva Hevesi Ehrlich by the Hungarian Swimming Association in 1934. Known as “the father of Hungarian water polo,” Komjadi established a program resulting in numerous European and Olympic gold medals. Eva was living in Budapest, Hungary, with her parents, Ferenc and Magda Hevesi, when the war in Europe began in September 1939. Ferenc was a rabbi at the Dohány Street synagogue under his father, Simon Hevesi, who was chief rabbi of Hungary. When Simon died in 1943, Ferenc and a colleague succeeded him as co-chief rabbis. Hungary was allied with Germany, but when the Hungarian government began seeking a ceasefire with the Allies, the German army occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. When the radically antisemitic, German-backed Arrow Cross Party took control of the government on October 15, Eva and her family went into hiding. The section of the city they were in was liberated by the Soviet army on January 16, 1945. Eva’s paternal grandmother had starved to death during the occupation, her maternal grandmother died shortly after liberation, and her fiancé was shot and thrown into the Danube River. Ferenc became a chaplain for the Hungarian army, and returned to his former rabbinical duties. Eva returned to college and met a Hungarian-American soldier with the American military mission. In the fall of 1946, Eva immigrated to the United States with her husband, followed shortly by her father and mother. Eva and her husband divorced in 1949. She then married Bernard Ehrlich in 1950.
Orszagos Leventeverseny medal owned by a Hungarian Jewish family
Object
Medal for the 1942 Orszagos Leventeverseny (National Levente Competition), awarded to a member of Eva Hevesi Ehrlich’s family. The levente movement provided a framework for government-mandated physical education for Hungarian male youths under 21. It was increasingly militarized, and became controlled by the Ministry of Defense in 1941. A branch for girls was created in June 1942. Eva was living in Budapest, Hungary, with her parents, Ferenc and Magda Hevesi, when the war in Europe began in September 1939. Ferenc was a rabbi at the Dohány Street synagogue under his father, Simon Hevesi, who was chief rabbi of Hungary. When Simon died in 1943, Ferenc and a colleague succeeded him as co-chief rabbis. Hungary was allied with Germany, but when the Hungarian government began seeking a ceasefire with the Allies, the German army occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. When the radically antisemitic, German-backed Arrow Cross Party took control of the government on October 15, Eva and her family went into hiding. The section of the city they were in was liberated by the Soviet army on January 16, 1945. Eva’s paternal grandmother had starved to death during the occupation, her maternal grandmother died shortly after liberation, and her fiancé was shot and thrown into the Danube River. Ferenc became a chaplain for the Hungarian army, and returned to his former rabbinical duties. Eva returned to college and met a Hungarian-American soldier with the American military mission. In the fall of 1946, Eva immigrated to the United States with her husband, followed shortly by her father and mother. Eva and her husband divorced in 1949. She then married Bernard Ehrlich in 1950.
Diving medal owned by a Hungarian Jewish family
Object
Medal for diving, awarded to a cousin of Eva Hevesi Ehrlich in Budapest, Hungary. Eva was living in Budapest, Hungary, with her parents, Ferenc and Magda Hevesi, when the war in Europe began in September 1939. Ferenc was a rabbi at the Dohány Street synagogue under his father, Simon Hevesi, who was chief rabbi of Hungary. When Simon died in 1943, Ferenc and a colleague succeeded him as co-chief rabbis. Hungary was allied with Germany, but when the Hungarian government began seeking a ceasefire with the Allies, the German army occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. When the radically antisemitic, German-backed Arrow Cross Party took control of the government on October 15, Eva and her family went into hiding. The section of the city they were in was liberated by the Soviet army on January 16, 1945. Eva’s paternal grandmother had starved to death during the occupation, her maternal grandmother died shortly after liberation, and her fiancé was shot and thrown into the Danube River. Ferenc became a chaplain for the Hungarian army, and returned to his former rabbinical duties. Eva returned to college and met a Hungarian-American soldier with the American military mission. In the fall of 1946, Eva immigrated to the United States with her husband, followed shortly by her father and mother. Eva and her husband divorced in 1949. She then married Bernard Ehrlich in 1950.
Embroidered purple tallit bag used by two Hungarian rabbis
Object
Embroidered tallit bag, given to Rabbi Simon Hevesi in 1923 and later used by his son Rabbi Ferenc Hevesi, after his death in 1943. Simon became a rabbi in Budapest’s Dohány Street synagogue in 1905. He became a leader in the community and was elected chief rabbi of Hungary in 1927. In 1930, Simon’s son, Ferenc, moved to Budapest with his wife and daughter, and also became a rabbi at the Dohány synagogue. During his tenure in Budapest, Simon founded or served as a board member of numerous institutions and organizations, and was a prolific writer and editor of Jewish scholarly works. When Simon died in 1943, Ferenc and a colleague succeeded him as co-chief rabbis. Hungary was allied with Germany, but when the Hungarian government began seeking a ceasefire with the Allies, the German army occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. When the radically antisemitic, German-backed Arrow Cross Party took control of the government on October 15, Eva and her family went into hiding. The section of the city they were in was liberated by the Soviet army on January 16, 1945. Ferenc became a chaplain for the Hungarian army, and returned to his former rabbinical duties. In the fall of 1946, Ferenc traveled to England and the United States, where he Anglicized his name to Francis. He gave speeches on behalf of the Hungarian Jewry, and presided over his daughter’s religious wedding ceremony in New York City. Before he and his wife could return home, they were warned that Francis would be persecuted. They stayed in the US where Francis became rabbi for a succession of congregations in Georgia and Hawaii.
Cantor’s black tufted hat worn by a Hungarian rabbi
Object
Cantor’s hat worn during services by Rabbi Ferenc Hevesi, who served as co-chief rabbi of Hungary between 1943 and 1946. The cantor (hazan or chazzan) is the synagogue’s professional prayer leader. Ferenc joined the Dohany Street synagogue as a rabbi when he moved with his wife, Magda, and daughter, Eva, to Budapest in 1930. When his father, Rabbi Simon Hevesi, died in 1943, Ferenc succeeded him as co-chief rabbi of Hungary. Hungary was allied with Germany, but when the Hungarian government began seeking a ceasefire with the Allies, the German army occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. Afterward, Ferenc and his family were forced out of their apartment into one shared with other families. A curfew was imposed on Jews and Ferenc could only hold services at the synagogue if it did not conflict with the curfew. As chief rabbi, Ferenc was constantly harassed by the Germans, and pressured to become part of the Judenrat, which he refused. When the radically antisemitic, German-backed Arrow Cross Party took control of the government on October 15, Ferenc and his family went into hiding. The section of the city they were in was liberated by the Soviet army on January 16, 1945. Ferenc became a chaplain for the Hungarian army, and returned to his former rabbinical duties. In the fall of 1946, Ferenc traveled to England and the United States, where he Anglicized his name to Francis. He gave speeches on behalf of the Hungarian Jewry, and presided over his daughter’s religious wedding ceremony in New York City. They stayed in the US, where Francis became rabbi for a succession of congregations in Georgia and Hawaii.
Set of tefillin with a green pouch worn by a Hungarian rabbi
Object
Pair of tefillin and pouch owned by Rabbi Simon Hevesi, and later used by his son, Rabbi Ferenc Hevesi. Simon served as chief rabbi of Hungary between 1927 and 1943. Tefillin are small boxes containing prayers attached to leather straps and worn by Orthodox Jewish males during morning prayers. Simon Handler became an ordained rabbi in 1894, and was appointed chief rabbi in Kassa, Hungary (now Košice, Slovakia) followed by Lugos (now Lugoj, Romania) in 1897. As part of a pilgrimage study trip to Palestine, Simon met the leaders of the Jewish community in Budapest. At their invitation, Simon moved with his wife and five children to Budapest in 1905 and changed their last name to Hevesi. As a rabbi in the Dohány Street synagogue, Simon became a leader in the community, was a beloved speaker, and held a professorship in oratory at the Rabbinical Institute. He was elected chief rabbi of Hungary in 1927 and became president of the National Rabbinical Association. In 1930, Simon’s son, Ferenc, moved to Budapest with his wife and daughter, and also became a rabbi at the Dohány synagogue. In 1939, Simon traveled to the United States, and was given an honorary doctorate by the Jewish Theological Society of America. During his tenure in Budapest, Simon founded or served as a board member of numerous institutions and organizations, and was a prolific writer and editor of Jewish scholarly works. When Simon died in 1943, Ferenc and a colleague succeeded him as co-chief rabbis.
Striped silk tallit worn by a Hungarian rabbi
Object
Tallit owned by Rabbi Ferenc Hevesi, who served as co-chief rabbi in Hungary between 1943 and 1946. A tallit is a specialized shawl worn by Orthodox Jewish males during morning prayers. Ferenc joined the Dohany Street synagogue as a rabbi when he moved with his wife, Magda, and daughter, Eva, to Budapest in 1930. When his father, Rabbi Simon Hevesi, died in 1943, Ferenc succeeded him as co-chief rabbi of Hungary. Hungary was allied with Germany, but when the Hungarian government began seeking a ceasefire with the Allies, the German army occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. Afterward, Ferenc and his family were forced out of their apartment into one shared with other families. A curfew was imposed on Jews and Ferenc could only hold services at the synagogue if it did not conflict with the curfew. As chief rabbi, Ferenc was constantly harassed by the Germans, and pressured to become part of the Judenrat, which he refused. When the radically antisemitic, German-backed Arrow Cross Party took control of the government on October 15, Ferenc and his family went into hiding. The section of the city they were in was liberated by the Soviet army on January 16, 1945. Ferenc became a chaplain for the Hungarian army, and returned to his former rabbinical duties. In the fall of 1946, Ferenc traveled to England and the United States, where he Anglicized his name to Francis. He gave speeches on behalf of the Hungarian Jewry, and presided over his daughter’s religious wedding ceremony in New York City. They stayed in the US, where Francis became rabbi for a succession of congregations in Georgia and Hawaii.
Commemorative silver plaque presented to a Hungarian rabbi
Object
Silver engraved plaque honoring Dr. Simon Hevesi, chief rabbi of Hungary, for his service to the nation’s Jewish community. Simon Handler became an ordained rabbi in 1894, and was appointed chief rabbi in Kassa, Hungary (now Košice, Slovakia) followed by Lugos (now Lugoj, Romania) in 1897. As part of a pilgrimage study trip to Palestine, Simon met the leaders of the Jewish community in Budapest. At their invitation, Simon moved with his wife and five children to Budapest in 1905 and changed their last name to Hevesi. As a rabbi in the Dohány Street synagogue, Simon became a leader in the community, was a beloved speaker, and held a professorship in oratory at the Rabbinical Institute. He was elected chief rabbi of Hungary in 1927 and became president of the National Rabbinical Association. In 1930, Simon’s son, Ferenc, moved to Budapest with his wife and daughter, and also became a rabbi at the Dohány synagogue. In 1939, Simon traveled to the United States, and was given an honorary doctorate by the Jewish Theological Society of America. During his tenure in Budapest, Simon founded or served as a board member of numerous institutions and organizations, and was a prolific writer and editor of Jewish scholarly works. When Simon died in 1943, Ferenc and a colleague succeeded him as co-chief rabbis.
Silver plaque honoring a Hungarian rabbi for 20 years of leadership
Object
Ornate, engraved silver plaque presented to Dr. Simon Hevesi, chief rabbi of Hungary, by the National Hungarian Jewish Cultural Association in recognition of his 20 years of service. Simon Handler became an ordained rabbi in 1894, and was appointed chief rabbi in Kassa, Hungary (now Košice, Slovakia) followed by Lugos (now Lugoj, Romania) in 1897. As part of a pilgrimage study trip to Palestine, Simon met the leaders of the Jewish community in Budapest. At their invitation, Simon moved with his wife and five children to Budapest in 1905 and changed their last name to Hevesi. As a rabbi in the Dohány Street synagogue, Simon became a leader in the community, was a beloved speaker, and held a professorship in oratory at the Rabbinical Institute. He was elected chief rabbi of Hungary in 1927 and became president of the National Rabbinical Association. In 1930, Simon’s son, Ferenc, moved to Budapest with his wife and daughter, and also became a rabbi at the Dohány synagogue. In 1939, Simon traveled to the United States, and was given an honorary doctorate by the Jewish Theological Society of America. During his tenure in Budapest, Simon founded or served as a board member of numerous institutions and organizations, and was a prolific writer and editor of Jewish scholarly works. When Simon died in 1943, Ferenc and a colleague succeeded him as co-chief rabbis.
White kittel used by Rabbi Ferenc Hevesi on High Holidays
Object
White kittel with belt for high holiday services, brought by Rabbi Ferenc Hevesi from Budapest, Hungary, to New York City in the fall of 1946. The white color represents the angelic purity that wearers hope to achieve through prayer. Kittels are often worn as burial shrouds, though Ferenc’s unexpected death prevented this. Ferenc joined the Dohany Street synagogue as a rabbi when he moved with his wife, Magda, and daughter, Eva, to Budapest in 1930. When his father, Rabbi Simon Hevesi, died in 1943, Ferenc succeeded him as co-chief rabbi of Hungary. Hungary was allied with Germany, but when the Hungarian government began seeking a ceasefire with the Allies, the German army occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. Afterward, Ferenc and his family were forced out of their apartment into one shared with other families. A curfew was imposed on Jews and Ferenc could only hold services at the synagogue if it did not conflict with the curfew. As chief rabbi, Ferenc was constantly harassed by the Germans, and pressured to become part of the Judenrat, which he refused. When the radically antisemitic, German-backed Arrow Cross Party took control of the government on October 15, Ferenc and his family went into hiding. The section of the city they were in was liberated by the Soviet army on January 16, 1945. Ferenc became a chaplain for the Hungarian army, and returned to his former rabbinical duties. In the fall of 1946, Ferenc traveled to England and the United States, where he Anglicized his name to Francis. He gave speeches on behalf of the Hungarian Jewry, and presided over his daughter’s religious wedding ceremony in New York City. They stayed in the US, where Francis became rabbi for a succession of congregations in Georgia and Hawaii.
Black robe used by a Rabbi Ferenc Hevesi for everyday services
Object
Black robe with detachable capelet used for everyday religious services, brought by Rabbi Ferenc Hevesi from Budapest, Hungary, to New York City in the fall of 1946. Ferenc joined the Dohany Street synagogue as a rabbi when he moved with his wife, Magda, and daughter, Eva, to Budapest in 1930. When his father, Rabbi Simon Hevesi, died in 1943, Ferenc succeeded him as co-chief rabbi of Hungary. Hungary was allied with Germany, but when the Hungarian government began seeking a ceasefire with the Allies, the German army occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. Afterward, Ferenc and his family were forced out of their apartment into one shared with other families. A curfew was imposed on Jews and Ferenc could only hold services at the synagogue if it did not conflict with the curfew. As chief rabbi, Ferenc was constantly harassed by the Germans, and pressured to become part of the Judenrat, which he refused. When the radically antisemitic, German-backed Arrow Cross Party took control of the government on October 15, Ferenc and his family went into hiding. The section of the city they were in was liberated by the Soviet army on January 16, 1945. Ferenc became a chaplain for the Hungarian army, and returned to his former rabbinical duties. In the fall of 1946, Ferenc traveled to England and the United States, where he Anglicized his name to Francis. He gave speeches on behalf of the Hungarian Jewry, and presided over his daughter’s religious wedding ceremony in New York City. They stayed in the US, where Francis became rabbi for a succession of congregations in Georgia and Hawaii.
Ferencz Hevesi family papers
Document
Consists of copy prints of photographs depicting German takeover of Hungary and installation of Szalasi as prime minister in 1944.
Striped tallit worn by two Hungarian rabbis
Object
Tallit, given to Rabbi Simon Hevesi in 1923 and later used by his son Rabbi Ferenc Hevesi, after his death in 1943. Simon became a rabbi in Budapest’s Dohány Street synagogue in 1905. He became a leader in the community and was elected chief rabbi of Hungary in 1927. In 1930, Simon’s son, Ferenc, moved to Budapest with his wife and daughter, and also became a rabbi at the Dohány synagogue. During his tenure in Budapest, Simon founded or served as a board member of numerous institutions and organizations, and was a prolific writer and editor of Jewish scholarly works. When Simon died in 1943, Ferenc and a colleague succeeded him as co-chief rabbis. Hungary was allied with Germany, but when the Hungarian government began seeking a ceasefire with the Allies, the German army occupied Hungary on March 19, 1944. When the radically antisemitic, German-backed Arrow Cross Party took control of the government on October 15, Eva and her family went into hiding. The section of the city they were in was liberated by the Soviet army on January 16, 1945. Ferenc became a chaplain for the Hungarian army, and returned to his former rabbinical duties. In the fall of 1946, Ferenc traveled to England and the United States, where he Anglicized his name to Francis. He gave speeches on behalf of the Hungarian Jewry, and presided over his daughter’s religious wedding ceremony in New York City. Before he and his wife could return home, they were warned that Francis would be persecuted. They stayed in the US where Francis became rabbi for a succession of congregations in Georgia and Hawaii.
Eva Ehrlich papers
Document
Testimony: Written in form of novel, bound typescript, three volumes, titled "Episode, novel by Francis Hevesi," copyrighted by Eva Ehrlich in 1981. Also contains documents including letter written to Hevesi in 1942, appealing for assistance in finding missing family members, and a letter from Hevesi, in English, written after his immigration to U.S., addressed to Bill Stern, describing events in Hungary in 1944.
