Prayer book

Black ribbon watch fob from prewar Netherlands

Object

Watch fob that belonged to Eliazer Davids and previously to his father, Leman Davids. A watch fob was used to retrieve a pocket watch from a vest or waist pocket. They were common before wristwatches were introduced in the early 20th century. The Davids were an observant Jewish family who had lived in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for several generations. Leman was a diamond broker and cutter who died of natural causes in 1930. Eliazer ran a linen business. In December 1938, Eliazer and his wife, Bronislawa Perlberg, emigrated to the United States with the assistance of Eliazer’s uncle, Leo Groen, who lived in New York and submitted affidavits of support for their visas. The majority of Eliazer’s and Bronislawa’s family members who remained in Europe perished during the Holocaust.

Plaque celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Ashkenazi community in Amsterdam

Object

Commemorative plaque owned by Eliazer Davids that celebrates the 300th anniversary of the Ashkenazi community in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The service, attended by Eliazer, was held in the Main Synagogue which was built in 1871. Eliazer was from an observant Jewish family who had lived in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for several generations. Many were diamond brokers and cutters. In December 1938, Eliazer and his wife, Bronislawa (Bertha) Perlberg, left for the United States with the assistance of Eliazer’s uncle, Leo Groen, who lived in New York and submitted affidavits of support for their visas. The majority of Eliazer’s and Bronislawa’s family members were not able to get out of Europe and perished during the Holocaust.

Blanche Davids Gewirtz papers

Document

Photographs, legal documents, and correspondence from donor's paternal uncle, Leo Davids, who immigrated to the United States and facilitated the donor's parents immigration to the US in 1938. Includes a second group of materials consisting of photos and papers belonging to donor's mother's grandmother Fanny Kaufman, and her parents Bernard and Pauline Fischer. A majority of the donor's extended family on both sides perished in the Auschwitz and Sobibor concentration camps in 1942 and 1943.

Handbook

Object

Book

Object

Prayer book with red leather covers, gold stamping and black cardboard sleeve.