Peach chemise with floral embroidery saved by a Hungarian Jewish refugee
- Date
-
received:
1934
use: 1934-1946
- Geography
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use:
Budapest (Hungary)
use: Bergen-Belsen (Concentration camp); Belsen (Bergen, Celle, Germany)
- Classification
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Clothing and Dress
- Category
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Women's clothing
- Object Type
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Slips (Clothing) (lcsh)
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Judith Gondos Jacobs
Embroidered silk chemise custom made for Anna Havas for her 1934 wedding to Bela Gondos. She took it with her when she was deported from Budapest, Hungary, to Bergen-Belsen on the Kasztner train with Bela and their 7 year old daughter Judit in June 1944. The family brought their best clothing since they believed they were going to Portugal. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Nazi-influenced Hungarian regime. Bela worked on 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942 because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Relief and Rescue Committee, Hungarian Zionist Association, to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent to Switzerland on December 7, 1944. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
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Record last modified: 2021-02-10 09:49:26
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn513770
Also in Bela Gondos family collection
The collection consists of a drawing, three chemises, a doll, eyeglasses, food container, handkerchief, suitcase, wallet, wristwatch, documents, photographs, and writings relating to the experiences of Dr. Bela Gondos, his wife Anna, and their daughter Judit before the Holocaust in Budapest, Hungary, during the Holocaust in Budapest, on the Kasztner train, in Bergen-Belsen, and Switzerland, and after the Holocaust in Switzerland and the United States.
Bela Gondos family papers
Document
The Bela Gondos family papers consist of biographical materials, refugee and emigration papers, and writings documenting Bela, Anna, and Judith Gondos of Budapest and their journey aboard the rescue train organized by Rezső Kasztner, internment at Bergen-Belsen, transfer to Switzerland, and immigration to the United States. Biographical materials include birth and marriage certificates, identification papers, citizenship documents, education and professional records, foreign worker and air raid worker certificates, and inoculation records documenting Bela, Anna, and Judith Gondos and Bela’s training and career as a physician. This series also includes an authorization signed by Dr. Polgar in Bergen-Belsen allowing Bela Gondos to receive wood for shoe soles. Photographs depict the Gondos family, their friends, and Anna Gondos’ parents, Jakab and Iren Havas. Refugee and emigration papers include attestations and travel papers documenting the Gondos family’s status as refugees in Switzerland and their departure via Genoa for the United States. Writings consists of lectures presented by Bela Gondos to the Ohr Kodesh Congregation in Chevy Chase, Maryland, between 1989 and 1995 on topics including the Holocaust and Jewish communities in Hungary, the Kasztner train, and Jewish passivity, organization, or resistance in the face of the Holocaust.
Large brown suitcase used by Hungarian Jewish refugees on the Kasztner train
Object
Large suitcase carried by Dr. Bela Gondos when he was transported from Budapest, Hungary, to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on the Kasztner train in June 1944 with his wife Anna and 7 year old daughter Judit. They were advised to bring all their belongings. Each carried a suitcase filled with their best clothing since they believed they were going to Portugal. They used it as a bed, table, and chair on the cattle car to the camp. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Hungarian regime, which had anti-Semitic policies similar to Germany's. Bela worked on 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942 because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Relief and Rescue Committee of the Hungarian Zionist Association to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving at the camp on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent from Bergen-Belsen to Switzerland on December 7, 1944. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
FK monogrammed leather document case made by a Jewish Hungarian woman
Object
Leather document case with wallet pockets made by Anna Gondos in the early 1940’s when she had to support herself and her daughter Judit, age 7, while her husband Bela was away in the Hungarian forced labor service. She carried it when she was deported from Budapest to Bergen-Belsen on the Kasztner train with Bela and Judit in June 1944. The FK monogram suggests that the wallet was made for someone but was never purchased. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Nazi-influenced Hungarian regime. Bela worked in 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942 because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Zionist Relief and Rescue Committee to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent to Switzerland on December 7, 1944. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
Aluminum food container lid used by a Hungarian Jewish family on the Kasztner train
Object
Metal food container lid used by Bela, Anna, and Judit Gondos when they were transported from Budapest, Hungary, to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on the Kasztner train in June 1944. The family often hiked at Svabhegy, a hill outside Budapest, and used the container with the now missing base for their picnics. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Nazi-influenced Hungarian regime. Bela worked on 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942 because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Relief and Rescue Committee, Hungarian Zionist Association, to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent from Bergen-Belsen on December 7, 1944. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
Peach chemise with black and white floral appliques saved by a Hungarian Jewish refugee
Object
Silk chemise with embroidered floral appliques custom made for Anna Havas for her 1934 wedding to Bela Gondos. She took it with her when she was deported from Budapest, Hungary, to Bergen-Belsen on the Kasztner train with Bela and their 7 year old daughter Judit in June 1944. The family brought their best clothing since they believed they were going to Portugal. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Nazi-influenced Hungarian regime. Bela worked on 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942 because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Relief and Rescue Committee, Hungarian Zionist Association, to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent to Switzerland on December 7, 1944. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
Peach floral printed chemise saved by a Hungarian Jewish refugee
Object
Floral printed silk slip custom made for Anna Havas Gondos and taken with her when she was deported from Budapest, Hungary to Bergen-Belsen on the Kasztner train with her husband Bela and 7 year old daughter Judit in June 1944. The family brought their best clothing since they believed they were going to Portugal. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Nazi-influenced Hungarian regime. Bela worked on 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942 because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Relief and Rescue Committee, Hungarian Zionist Association, to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent to Switzerland on December 7, 1944. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
Omega wristwatch worn by a Hungarian Jewish man on the Kasztner train
Object
Omega steel wristwatch worn by Dr. Bela Gondos when he was deported from Budapest, Hungary to Bergen-Belsen on the Kasztner train with his wife Anna and 7 year old daughter Judit in June 1944. He purchased the watch in 1940 or 1941 and it was not confiscated by the Germans because it was made of steel, not gold. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Nazi-influenced Hungarian regime. Bela worked on 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942 because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Relief and Rescue Committee, Hungarian Zionist Association, to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent to Switzerland on December 7, 1944. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
Black Bakelite circular eyeglasses worn by a Hungarian Jewish man on the Kasztner train
Object
Black Bakelite spectacles worn by Dr. Bela Gondos when he was deported from Budapest, Hungary to Bergen-Belsen on the Kasztner train with his wife Anna and 7 year old daughter Judit in June 1944. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Nazi-influenced Hungarian regime. Bela worked on 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942 because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Relief and Rescue Committee, Hungarian Zionist Association, to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent to Switzerland on December 7, 1944. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
Plastic doll named Zsuzsi carried by a young Hungarian Jewish girl on the Kasztner train
Object
Celluloid Schildkrot doll named Zsuzsi carried by 7 year old Judit Gondos when she left Budapest with her parents Bela and Anna on the Kasztner train in June 1944. Judit received the doll from her parents for Chanukah in 1942. After arguments and many tears, she was allowed to take the doll on the train if she carried it herself. The doll’s dress was lost long ago. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Nazi-influenced Hungarian regime. Bela worked on 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942 because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Relief and Rescue Committee, Hungarian Zionist Association, to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent to Switzerland on December 7, 1944. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
Red and yellow floral handkerchief carried by a young Hungarian Jewish girl on the Kasztner train
Object
Floral handkerchief carried by 7 year old Judit Gondos when she left Budapest, Hungary, with her parents Bela and Anna on the Kasztner train in June 1944. It was a gift from her maternal aunt, Iren (Pircsi) Havas, in prewar Bekes. Jews were increasingly persecuted by the Nazi-influenced Hungarian regime. Bela worked on 2 or 3 forced labor battalions until released in 1942, because he was a physician. On March 19, 1944, Germany invaded Hungary and the authorities prepared to deport all the Jews from Hungary to concentration camps. In mid-May, Bela heard about the Kasztner train, negotiated by Rezso Kasztner of the Relief and Rescue Committee, Hungarian Zionist Association, to get the German SS to take money to release Jews to neutral territory. Bela and his family were selected because of Bela’s Zionist ties. Kasztner failed to raise sufficient funds and the train was sent to Bergen-Belsen, arriving on July 8. After ransom money was raised by Jewish aid organizations, the prisoners were sent to Switzerland on December 7, 1944. Judit’s aunt Pircsi survived Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen but died of tuberculosis in Sweden in 1945. Bela, Anna, and Judit emigrated to the United States in 1946.
Satirical drawing of his prescription made by a camp inmate for his doctor, a fellow inmate
Object
Elegant cartoon in pencil and watercolor done by Istvan Irsai and given to Dr. Bela Gondos in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on October 17, 1944, as an expression of gratitude. It depicts an oversize thermometer stuck into a piece of bread, Dr. Gondos's prescription for his starving patient, whom he saw weekly. Both men were inmates arrived in the camp on the Kastzner rescue transport from Budapest, on July 8, 1944. Bela diagnosed Istvan with starvation and the prescribed extra portion of bread was filled by the informal organization of the Hungarian camp. Bela's wife Anna and 7 year old daughter Judit were also in the camp. The Kastzner train was arranged by Reszo Kastzner who persuaded the German SS to accept money to allow a trainful of Jews to leave Budapest. The intent was to send them to Palestine or Portugal, but not enough money was raised, so they were sent to Bergen-Belsen. The Gondos family and Istvan were sent to Zurich, Switzerland, in December 1944, after a Jewish organization raised ransom money. Istvan left for Palestine in 1945. The Gondos family emigrated to America in fall 1946.