Jar containing horsefeed from Eisiskes

Star of David badge with a blank center worn in the Radun ghetto

Object

Star of David badge worn by Moshe Sonenson in the Radun ghetto in Poland (Belarus) from October 1941-May 1942. Jews were required to wear the badges displayed on their clothing at all times, to mark them as undesirables. On June 23, 1941, the town, Eisiskes, where Moshe lived with his wife Zipporah, newborn son, 5 year old daughter Yaffa, and 9 year old son Yitzhak, was occupied by German troops. When the Germans encouraged celebration of the Jewish New Year that September, Moshe was suspicious and sent Yaffa and Yitzhak to their Polish housekeeper. A few days later, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jews. On September 25-26, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units slaughtered all the Jews. Moshe, Zipporah and the baby escaped. Moshe retrieved the children and reunited with Zipporah in Radun. On May 10, 1942, Moshe learned of German plans to destroy the ghetto. He found a hiding place, but those already there said the baby put them at risk of discovery; he was smothered and died. When they emerged from hiding, the streets were littered with dead bodies. Moshe moved his family from hiding place to hiding place until July 1944, when the region was freed by Soviet troops. They returned to Eisiskes. Soon after, young members of the Polish Home Army invaded their home and killed Zipporah and their 1 year old son. That December, Moshe was denounced by other Jewish survivors to the Soviets and sentenced to forced labor for life. Yaffa later located Moshe's brother, Shlomo, and was able to go with him to Palestine in April 1946.

Star of David badge with a blank center worn in the Radun ghetto

Object

Star of David badge worn by Moshe Sonenson in the Radun ghetto in Poland (Belarus) from October 1941-May 1942. Jews were required to wear the badges displayed on their clothing at all times, to mark them as undesirables. On June 23, 1941, the town, Eisiskes, where Moshe lived with his wife Zipporah, newborn son, 5 year old daughter Yaffa, and 9 year old son Yitzhak, was occupied by German troops. When the Germans encouraged celebration of the Jewish New Year that September, Moshe was suspicious and sent Yaffa and Yitzhak to their Polish housekeeper. A few days later, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jews. On September 25-26, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units slaughtered all the Jews. Moshe, Zipporah and the baby escaped. Moshe retrieved the children and reunited with Zipporah in Radun. On May 10, 1942, Moshe learned of German plans to destroy the ghetto. He found a hiding place, but those already there said the baby put them at risk of discovery; he was smothered and died. When they emerged from hiding, the streets were littered with dead bodies. Moshe moved his family from hiding place to hiding place until July 1944, when the region was freed by Soviet troops. They returned to Eisiskes. Soon after, young members of the Polish Home Army invaded their home and killed Zipporah and their 1 year old son. That December, Moshe was denounced by other Jewish survivors to the Soviets and sentenced to forced labor for life. Yaffa later located Moshe's brother, Shlomo, and was able to go with him to Palestine in April 1946.

Red brushed velvet tefillin pouch with a Star of David found in postwar Berlin

Object

Red velvet bag found by 9 year old Yaffa Sonenson in Berlin in 1945. It stored a set of tefillin, 1992.169.3 b-c, prayer boxes worn by Jewish males during services. On June 23, 1941, the town, Eisiskes, where Yaffa lived with her parents Moshe and Zipporah, a newborn, and an older brother, 9 year old son Yitzhak, was occupied by German troops. When the Germans encouraged celebration of the Jewish New Year that September, her father was suspicious and sent Yaffa and Yitzhak to their Polish housekeeper. A few days later, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jews. On September 25-26, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units slaughtered them. Moshe and Zipporah, with the baby, escaped. Yaffa and Yitzhak were retrieved by Moshe and reunited with Zipporah in Radun. On May 10, 1942, Moshe learned of German plans to destroy the ghetto. He found a hiding place, but those already there said the baby put them at risk of discovery; he was smothered and died. When they emerged from hiding, the streets were littered with dead bodies. Moshe moved his family from hiding place to hiding place until July 1944, when the region was freed by Soviet troops. They returned to Eisiskes. Soon after, young members of the Polish Home Army invaded their home and killed Zipporah and her 1 year old son. That December, Moshe was denounced to the Soviets by other Jewish survivors and sentenced to forced labor for life. Yaffa later located Moshe's brother, Shlomo, and was able to go with him to Palestine in April 1946.

Betar patch with an embroidered menorah worn by an internee at a displaced persons camp

Object

Betar badge worn by Evelyn Kahn Landsman when she was in a displaced persons camp in Germany in 1946. Betar is an abbreviation of Berit Trumpeldor, an activist Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 in Riga, Latvia. It aided many refugees who wished to emigrate to Palestine in the postwar period.

Betar logo patch worn by an internee at a displaced persons camp

Object

Betar logo badge worn by Evelyn Kahn Landsman when she was in a displaced persons camp in Germany in 1946. Betar is an abbreviation of Berit Trumpeldor, an activist Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 in Riga, Latvia. It aided many refugees who wished to emigrate to Palestine in the postwar period.

Betar epaulet worn by an internee at a displaced persons camp

Object

Betar epaulet worn by Evelyn Kahn Landsman when she was in a displaced persons camp in Germany in 1946. Betar is an abbreviation of Berit Trumpeldor, an activist Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 in Riga, Latvia. It aided many refugees who wished to emigrate to Palestine in the postwar period.

Betar epaulet worn by an internee at a displaced persons camp

Object

Betar epaulet worn by Evelyn Kahn Landsman when she was in a displaced persons camp in Germany in 1946. Betar is an abbreviation of Berit Trumpeldor, an activist Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 in Riga, Latvia. It aided many refugees who wished to emigrate to Palestine in the postwar period.

Handkerchief embroidered with American flags given to an internee at a displaced persons camp by a US soldier

Object

Embroidered handkerchief given to Evelyn Kahn Landsman by an American soldier in 1946 when she was in a displaced persons camp in Germany.

Handmade linen band

Object

Detached handmade linen pocket

Object

White apron used prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Apron used in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Small wallet handmade from red paper from the German occupation

Object

Small wallet handmade from red paper from the German conquest.

Cleaver used prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Cleaver used in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Kitchen pestle used prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Kirched pestle used in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Fork used prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Fork used in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Fork used prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Fork used in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Spoon used prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Spoon used in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Glass bottle handcrafted prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Handblown bottle made in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Loom shuttle used prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Shuttle used in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Tambourine used by kindergartners prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Tambourine used by kindergartners in Ejszyszki, Poland (Eisiskes, Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Cymbals used by kindergartners prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Tambourine used by kindergartners in Ejszyszki, Poland (Eisiskes, Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Copper cooking pot used prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Copper pot used in prewar Ejszyszki, Poland (Eisiskes, Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Green canvas knapsack taken from a German soldier by a partisan

Object

Knapsack taken from a German soldier by Reuven Paikowski from a German soldier during an ambush by his partisan unit in a forest near Ejszyszki, Poland [Eisiskes, Lithuania]. Reuven and his wife, Zahava, both partisans, used the knapsack during the Brichah [escape], in Cyprus, and later in Israel. It was later used by their sons while serving in the Gadna. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Framed needlepoint tulips made prewar in the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Framed needlepoint tulips made in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Jar of stones from the river near Eisiskes

Object

Jarred containers of stones from the Olkieniki river near Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Jar containing wheat seeds from Eisiskes

Object

Jarred container of spelt from Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Jar containing rye seeds from Eisiskes

Object

Jarred container of rye seeds from Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Jar containing rye seeds from Eisiskes

Object

Jarred container of rye seeds from Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Jar containing barley seeds from Eisiskes

Object

Jarred container of barley seeds from Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Set of tefillin found postwar by a young Polish Jewish survivor

Object

Red velvet bag found by 9 year old Yaffa Sonenson in Berlin in 1945. It stored a set of tefillin, 1992.169.3 b-c, prayer boxes worn by Jewish males during services. On June 23, 1941, the town, Eisiskes, where Yaffa lived with her parents Moshe and Zipporah, a newborn, and an older brother, 9 year old son Yitzhak, was occupied by German troops. When the Germans encouraged celebration of the Jewish New Year that September, her father was suspicious and sent Yaffa and Yitzhak to their Polish housekeeper. A few days later, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jews. On September 25-26, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units slaughtered them. Moshe and Zipporah, with the baby, escaped. Yaffa and Yitzhak were retrieved by Moshe and reunited with Zipporah in Radun. On May 10, 1942, Moshe learned of German plans to destroy the ghetto. He found a hiding place, but those already there said the baby put them at risk of discovery; he was smothered and died. When they emerged from hiding, the streets were littered with dead bodies. Moshe moved his family from hiding place to hiding place until July 1944, when the region was freed by Soviet troops. They returned to Eisiskes. Soon after, young members of the Polish Home Army invaded their home and killed Zipporah and her 1 year old son. That December, Moshe was denounced to the Soviets by other Jewish survivors and sentenced to forced labor for life. Yaffa later located Moshe's brother, Shlomo, and was able to go with him to Palestine in April 1946.

Book

Object

Hebrew textbook published by Verlag Juedische Rundschau GmbH.

Poster announcing a rally to support Zionism

Object

Poster advertsing a rally sponsored by a Zionist organization in Cologne, Germany, on February 1, 1936. It features a choir and speakers on the cultural aspects of Jewish life, including Dr. Kaleko, head of the Culture Department for the Zionist Organization of Germany, Rabbi Dr. Phillipp, and a Hebrew Choir.

Program for a Jewish cultural event in pre-Kristallnacht Nazi Germany

Object

Original program for a Jewish cultural event, Ethnic tongue/National tongue, on Monday, May 18, 1936. The event was titled Hebraischer Abend with speaker, Dr. S. Kaleko. It was sponsored by the Zionist Community of Stuttgart, Ethnic tongue/National tongue. Monday, May 18, 1936.

Program for a Jewish cultural event in pre-Kristallnacht Nazi Germany

Object

Program of events for a Jewish cultural event in Nazi Germany on March 21, 1936. Among the featured speakers was Dr. Kaleko, the head of the Culture Department for the Zionist Organization of Germany.

Insert from a program for a Jewish cultural event in pre-Kristallnacht Nazi Germany

Object

Program of events for a Jewish cultural event in Nazi Germany on March 21, 1936. Among the featured speakers was Dr. Kaleko, the head of the Culture Department for the Zionist Organization of Germany.

Program for a Hebrew Celebration of Shabbat in pre-Kristallnacht Nazi Germany

Object

Program for a Jewish cultural event in pre-Kristallnacht Nazi Germany, with the participation of Dr. Kaleko. The event was sponsored by the Zionist Community Group of Mannheim, as billed as a Hebrew evening, Sunday, May 17, 1936, 8:30 pm with lecture by Dr. S. Kaleko on the subject of ."..because they didn't change in their language."

Program for a lecture series on Jewish life by a Zionist organization in pre-Kristallnacht Berlin

Object

Schedule for a lecture series offered in Berlin, Germany, in November 1935 by the Zionist Organization of Berlin. It also announces a Hebrew Literature Seminar by Dr. Kaleko, the head of the Culture Department for the Zionist Organization of Germany. There is Yiddish inscribed on the reverse.

Program for a Hebrew Celebration of Shabbat in pre-Kristallnacht Nazi Germany

Object

Program for a Hebrew Celebration of Shabbat in pre-Kristallnacht Nazi Germany, with the participation of Dr. Kaleko.

White tablecloth with blue and yellow needlepoint flowers saved from the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Small tablecloth with embroidered flowers saved by a Jewish family from Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Dental scaler used to sew up sacks of wheat, flour, and sugar by a Jewish family in prewar Eisiskes

Object

Dental scaler used by the Farber family to sew up sacks of wheat, flour, and sugar in prewar Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Pressed flowers saved from the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Pressed flowers from Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.

Pressed flowers saved from the Eisiskes shtetl

Object

Pressed dried leaves or botanical specimens from Ejszyszki (Eisiskes) Poland (now Lithuania). Jews had lived in Eisiskes for over 900 years. Prewar Eisiskes, circa 1939, had approximately 3500 Jews, the majority of the population. The town was occupied by German troops on June 23, 1941, days after the surprise invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany. The German authorities issued a proclamation in September that gave Jewish residents permission to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Just before the holiday, Lithuanian collaborators rounded up the Jewish residents and detained them in the synagogue and two adjoining buildings. They were joined by 1000 Jews from neighboring villages. On September 25-26, 1941, the Lithuanians and German mobile killing units began the systematic slaughter of the captives; only 29 escaped the massacre.