Group portrait of students at the Israelitische Volkschule Essen dressed up in Purim costumes.

Photograph | Photograph Number: 28656

Date: 1935 - 1937
Locale: Essen, [Prussian Rhineland] Germany
Variant Locale: [North Rhine-Westphalia]
Photo Designation: JEWISH LIFE IN NAZI GERMANY -- Schools/School Holiday Celebrations -- General
Photo Credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Henry Straus

Biography: Heinz (now Henry) Straus is the son of Gustav and Sofie Straus. He was born October 30, 1928 in Essen, Germany, where his father was a traveling salesman. Heinz, who was an only child, attended the Israelitische Volkschule, which he entered on April 1, 1935. He also was involved in many social activities at the local synagogue and youth center (Jugendheim). In October 1938 a number of his classmates, who were the children of Polish-born Jews, were expelled to the Polish frontier. Four weeks later Heinz witnessed the burning of the Essen synagogue and youth center during Kristallnacht. The next day, on November 10, 1938, his father was arrested and sent to Dachau. Following his release several weeks later, the family obtained American visas and departed for the U.S. on April 20, 1939.
Keyword: CHILDREN (4-12 YEARS)
CHILDREN/YOUTH
GROUP PORTRAITS
JEWISH HOLIDAYS
JEWISH HOLIDAYS (PURIM)
JEWS (GERMAN)
SCHOOLS/TEACHERS/CLASSES
Photo Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Copyright: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Provenance: Henry Straus
: Record last modified: 2004-02-05 00:00:00
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/pa1094714

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