Never to Be Forgotten: A Young Girl's Holocaust Memoir. Beatrice Muchman

      By 1939 Jews fleeting Germany were forced to leave their assets behind. BELHICEM was the Belgian organization that financed and otherwise assisted emigration from Nazi Europe.

      [Translation]

      I, the undersigned, WERNER LEWY (wife and child) acknowledge having received, from BELHICEM, the sum of 16.871,50 Francs for my upcoming voyage from BRUSSELS to NEW YORK, 12/9/1939. I am hereby liable to BELHICEM for the sum of SIXTEEN THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTY ONE 50 FRANCS.

      Brussels, December 8, 1939 /s/ Werner Lewy

      Name of ship: S.S. PENNLAND

      Company: HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

      Port and date of embarkation: ANTWERP, 12/911939

      Port of debarkation: NEW YORK

      Subsequent address, if possible:

      LEWY, Werner

      c/o Walter Tausk

      106 (or) 107, Ford (sic) Washington Ave.

      N.Y., U.S.A.

      It was an awkward celebration in December I939 when the Lewys set off for New York, leaving behind the Westheimers and Mimi, who was still waiting for her own exit number to clear. Mimi was already distraught over being cut off from her relatives in Berlin, and now she was further shaken by the separation from another of her daughters. For my mother and Margot, who were the closest of the sisters, the parting must have been especially painful. As for me, I was jealous of the Lewys’ good fortune and angry at my father for what I thought must have been his mistake. I also felt guilty for not being able to hide my feelings better.

      I knew that my mother and father also were disappointed, but outwardly they remained optimistic. They believed we would be able to get another affidavit and assured me that we would soon be joining the Lewys in America.

      Johanna Boas and Family

      December 1939

      The Lewy Family

      c/o Tausks

      New York, N.Y.

      My beloved children and dearest Bernilein,

      By the time you get this note you will hopefully have landed in good health and fine spirits. I wish you a happy welcome in your new country: may God grant you peace at last. Three days ago we heard that your ship made it safely through all the mined danger zones. What a relief.

      We all had other plans for the future, but one must be grateful with things as they are when one sees the dreadful state of affairs in Poland. But you, my dear children, are starting a new life, and God will help you.

      Please write about everything, since Westheimers will not be familiar with anything at all. Tell us what they will need and what they should bring. In the hope this finds you all happy, I send you kisses and greetings. One thousand special kisses for Bernilein.

      Your loving Mutti and Omi

      [postscript to preceding letter]

      Dear Lewys,

      Wishing you all good things in your new country. Keep up a good attitude and remain hopeful. Everything will surely turn out. My best wishes on your 10th wedding anniversary. We will see each other again on your silver anniversary, the latest!

      With my best wishes,

      Your brother-in-law, Walter

      My dear Lewys,

      Hopefully, as you read these few words you already will have landed safely and recuperated from your long voyage. All good things on your 10th wedding anniversary, may you spend the next one in peace. I pray things will work out for us too. In the hope we meet again very soon, I wish you all good things.

      Your, Madi

      Hopefully the crossing agreed with you and you can spend your anniversary in your new homeland. Much success in the U.S.A.

      Best wishes, Julle

      All good wishes in your new home.

      Friedel

      Werner’s identification card was stamped with a large “J” as were those of all Jews in Germany. Fingerprints were also required.

      On Werner’s passport, as on the passport of all Jewish males, the middle name “Israel“ was inserted. Jewish females were given the middle name of “Sara.“