A chronological journey through the family's history — from the textile workshops of Michelfeld in 1803, through persecution and emigration, to the lives rebuilt in Israel and America.
Otto's letter: Oppenheimers settled in Worms for ~300 years. Jew Löb O. (b. c.1650) fled to Ladersach during war turmoil. Married to Chare Bacharach, granddaughter of Rabbi Bacharach.
Otto's letter: "Uniform Cloth since 1803." Zacharias O. established cloth manufacturing in Michelfeld (Lower Franconia). Family continued the business for generations.
Son of Marum Oppenheimer and Brendel Babette Oppenheimer
Born Mina Kirchhausen
Born in Dinslaken, Rheinprovinz, Prussia. Son of Levy (Leijzer) Fuldauer and Bertha Maas.
Daughter of Joseph Marum Oppenheimer and Mina Kirchhausen.
Born June 4, 1896. Later married Moses Oppenheimer 1919, divorced 1929.
Due to attacks on the Jewish population in Schwetz, the Bernstein family moved to Kirchheim unter Teck shortly after daughter Gerda's birth.
Due to attacks on the Jewish population in Schwetz, the Bernstein family moved to Kirchheim unter Teck.
Died aged 65
Died aged 77
"Mischling 1. Grades" (half-Jewish)
Children classified as 'half-Jews'
Jewish orphanage 'Wilhelmsstift'
Handwritten letter in Kurrent script discussing family matters, travel plans, and references to Holland.
Due to hostility and denunciations, Jeanne and brother Philipp had to leave home. Placed in the Israelitische Waisen- und Erziehungsanstalt Wilhelmspflege near Esslingen.
Nazi persecution begins
Attends Fangelsbachschule
Expelled from school after father's arrest
Jewish orphanage. Educated there, felt at home. After school: Hausmädchen in Neuffen.
From 1935 attended Jewish school at Hospitalstr. 36
Racial purity laws enacted
Judge: NSDAP/SA Alfred Flaxland. 3 years prison + sterilization. Imprisoned Ludwigsburg (from 13.05.1935), solitary confinement, shoe-making workshop.
Irma (née Oppenheimer) and husband Hugo Fuldauer resided in the Netherlands. Irma wrote to her brother Moses at Ludwigsburg prison from there (Dec 1937).
Hugo and Irma (née Oppenheimer) resided in the Netherlands, where the Fuldauer family had roots.
Works on estate in Flensburg, then Jewish home in Hamburg before emigrating to Denmark in December 1939.
Before moving to Bad Cannstatt c. 1938. Letter: "we moved from Wuppertal half a year ago."
Irma Fuldauer née Oppenheimer sent a letter from the Netherlands to her brother Moses at Ludwigsburg prison. The letter was rejected by prison authorities (per Stolpersteine Stuttgart biography).
Margit's 1939 letter: 'we moved from Wuppertal half a year ago, and of course I like it much better here than in Wuppertal.'
Otto Oppenheimer, textile manufacturer, leaves family firm "Uniform Cloth since 1803" (est. by great-grandfather Zacharias in Michelfeld). Successors: Ernst Franke & Co.
Arrived at Haifa Port from Germany. Registered as immigrant 4/146, category B(III).
Arrested at Charlottenstr. 5, deported to KZ Buchenwald
Visiting orphanage during Kristallnacht, orphanage attacked. Fled to mother in Stuttgart (mother's 2nd husband Christian).
Mass arrests of Jews across Germany
Memoir: Was visiting the orphanage. 'The organized herd charged and with a deafening noise broke and crushed everything.' Head of house Theodore Rothschild collapsed — 40 years' life work destroyed in under 2 hours. Rothschild later died in Theresienstadt.
German passport issued in Hamburg for emigration.
Irma and Hugo Fuldauer, living in the Netherlands, attempted to secure Moses Oppenheimer's release from Buchenwald concentration camp by offering foreign currency guarantees for his emigration to Shanghai. The attempt was unsuccessful — Moses was never released and died January 16, 1940.
Hugo and Irma Fuldauer attempted to secure Moses Oppenheimer's release from Buchenwald by offering foreign currency guarantees for emigration to Shanghai. The attempt was unsuccessful.
Received agricultural training 1939-1940, likely at Hachshara camp Ahrensdorf in Brandenburg, to facilitate emigration to Palestine.
Plan failed due to war outbreak. Went to uncle in Hannover, apprentice in Jewish nursery. Returned to Stuttgart, lived at Hospitalstr. 36, worked in Feuerbach nursery. Classified as 'Halbjüdin'.
Jewish emigration training farm
Cook training at Jewish hospital kitchen. From 1940: works for Jewish community in Stuttgart.
Otto Oppenheimer, textile manufacturer from Bruchsal now in Zug, Switzerland, writes a detailed letter tracing Oppenheimer family history back 300 years to Worms and connecting to Rabbi Löw of Prague.
Age 17. Wrote to cousin Mina Kaufmann in Baltimore requesting affidavit for America. Living c/o Frau Marie, Geellbergstr. 1, Bad Cannstatt. Plan to follow Änne to Denmark had failed. Mentions Uncle Simon. Josef was at Großbreesen.
Earlier emigrated to Denmark, then December 1939 to Palestine (safe)
Four crates (household items, bedding, books) and suitcases shipped via intermediaries Bernhard Göschel (Forchheim) and Jacob Kaufmann (Bayreuth).
Before moving to Baltimore. Elsa's Jan 1941 letter: "Mina is now no longer in New York but has been in Baltimore for several weeks."
Arrived at Haifa as immigrant. Registration No. NA/646 B/I.
Stolperstein: Griesinger Weg 9, Stuttgart
Arthur Baer, a Jewish refugee from Mannheim living in Rotterdam, coordinated the shipment of 5 suitcases and 4 crates of Oppenheimer family belongings from Munich to New York via Holland America Line. He paid the $70 freight cost himself and used connections to secure reduced rates.
Julius and Elsa Oppenheimer submit immigration visa application to the American Consulate in Stuttgart. Application was ultimately unsuccessful.
Multiple notes from Julius and Elsa to Mina, discussing Erich, financial matters, and the war situation. Munich Jews increasingly isolated.
Julius, Elsa, Thekla, and others write to Mina. Communication now limited to Red Cross messages. Hopes for improvement.
Deported in 1941 to Minsk ghetto. Fate unknown.
Dr. Mina Kaufmann moves from New York to Baltimore (4006 Norfolk Ave.). Receives correspondence from relatives in Germany throughout the war.
Simon's letter recommends contacting Dr. Breuer (formerly lecturer at University of Berlin) at 24 Wilton Street, Princeton, NJ for help.
Letter to Siegfried Kriege family in New Jersey. Mentions Mina moved from New York to Baltimore. Relatives in Holland still healthy.
Conscripted for Zwangsarbeit in the armaments industry at Siemens Schuckert AG.
Jewish refugee working as military instructor. Address: c/o Dr. Hans Aberg, 3147 Mission Street. Simon's letter mentions him.
Written 12 days before mandatory Yellow Star (Judenstern) enforcement on September 19, 1941.
Julius writes to Mina Kaufmann from Munich, discussing emigration hopes and family news. Written 4 days before mandatory Yellow Star enforcement.
All Jews over age 6 required to wear Yellow Star in public. Polizeiverordnung effective September 19, 1941.
Letter written September 20, 1941, one day after Yellow Star enforcement began. No direct mention due to censorship.
Simon's letter fragment: 'Aunt Frieda and Gretel departed last Thursday to an unknown destination, along with many others.'
Simon's letter: 'Hermann Marx and his wife will probably have already arrived in Cuba as an intermediate stop.' Promised to help financially.
Simon Israel Oppenheimer III writes from forced quarters in Hannover, reporting Aunt Frieda and Gretel were "deported to an unknown destination." Warns: "Such arrangements are being prepared here." Mentions Josef at Gross-Breesen and attempts to arrange emigration to Cuba.
Last known letter from Julius and Elsa Oppenheimer, a condolence letter to the Langstein family. Written from Munich. Both were later deported and murdered.
Deported from Berlin on 14 November 1941. Last known residence: Berlin, Tiergarten (May 1939).
Written on the same day as the first mass deportation from Munich to Kaunas (1,000 Jews). Among the last letters that could reach America before US entered WWII on Dec 11.
Approximately 1,000 Jews deported from Munich to Kaunas (Kovno), Lithuania. Most murdered upon arrival on November 25, 1941.
Approximately 1,000 Jews deported from Munich on Nov 20, 1941 were murdered upon arrival at Kaunas (Kovno), Lithuania.
Approximately 1,001 Jews deported from Hannover to Riga. Simon Israel Oppenheimer III was among those deported and murdered.
One of the last letters from Munich to America. US entered WWII Dec 7-11, ending direct postal communication. Uses mandatory middle name 'Sara'.
Judenhaus – same address as Margit
Did not return
1.5 years in Theresienstadt
Julius's March 27, 1942 letter: "our relatives from Darmstadt and Nürnberg had to go away" — deportation of Nürnberg Jews.
Jews from Darmstadt deported and transported to Piaski (Lublin district, occupied Poland). Julius's March 27 letter: 'our relatives from Darmstadt and Nürnberg had to go away.'
Letter describing relatives from Darmstadt and Nürnberg 'had to go away' (deported). District ban (Bezirksverbot) imposed — confined to immediate area. Can only meet visitors 'outside'.
Enlisted in the Palestine Regiment. Service number P/17217. Would serve with 'C' Company, 1st (Jewish) Battalion.
Brief, mundane letter thanking for packages. 'Vergelt's Gott.' The last document in the correspondence collection from Julius and Elsa. They were subsequently deported and murdered.
Married in Haifa. Three weeks before husband received Palestinian naturalization certificate.
Transport Nr. XIII/2 (Gestapo Württemberg-Baden). Camp address: Ws. Logstr. 4/12. Met brother Josef. Worked: disinfection station, then carpentry (coffin lids). Ill: typhus, scarlet fever, encephalitis. Met Siegfried Michelbacher – 'große Liebe'.
Transport XIII/2. Met Margit in camp. Spoke of becoming a doctor.
Transferred from Theresienstadt to KZ Oranienburg (Sachsenhausen) near Berlin. Forced labor: gardening, digging, road construction.
Baker in Solnstitting near Landsberg, Bavaria. Addressed as "Uncle Karl" by Margit. Sent food packages to the concentration camp — an act of courage.
Camp address: Ws. Logstr. 4/12. Pre-printed form postcard sent to Karl Maier, Baker, Solnstitting bei Landsberg/Bavaria. Addressed to 'Dear Uncle Karl!' Confirming package receipt. Postcard routed via Prague (German censorship stamp, postmark: PRAG/PRAHA). All camp mail censored and processed through Prague.
Memoir: September 1944, shipment of 600 able-bodied men. Margit had to say goodbye. 'The parting was heartbreaking with lots of tears and kisses and hopes of seeing each other as free human beings.'
Margit followed 2 days later (01.10.1944)
Transport Em 1214. Volunteered to follow Siegfried. Encountered Dr. Mengele. Siegfried sent to Dachau, did not survive. Margit volunteered for work transport to Bad Kudowa-Sakisch (near Czech border).
Memoir: From Auschwitz, sent to factory near Czech border (Vereinigte Deutsche Metallwerke). Prisoner number 86092. Produced aircraft engines. 400-500 female prisoners. 12-hour factory shifts. Later assigned to camp garden.
After surviving the war in the Netherlands, Irma and Hugo Fuldauer emigrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
After surviving the war in the Netherlands, Hugo and Irma emigrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Feb 1945: arrested again. Released to Stuttgart. TB → Bavarian sanatorium.
Stolperstein: Hauptstätter Str. 92, Stuttgart
Memoir: 'The SS told us to let us go. It was the day before the end of the war.' Led to Czech border at Náchod. Czech authorities received them. 'In Nachod they welcomed us as winners. Along all the streets people stood and cheered.'
SS handed prisoners to Czechs one day before war's end. Taken to Nachod (Czech town), housed with local families. Returned to Stuttgart, reunited with mother & brother. ITS post-war path: 31 Dec 1945 Belgium; Jan 1946 Stuttgart-Lederberg, Heumadenerstr. 235; then Palestine.
Filed application for Certificate of Naturalization while serving with BAOR in Germany. Accompanied by 3 photographs, German passport, certificate of good character, and form M.77C.
Memoir: Philip Bernstein, serving in the Jewish Brigade, found Margit's name on survivor list in Stuttgart. At end of 1945, Brigade soldiers helped her cross border to Belgium, en route to Palestine.
Three identical portrait photographs taken and certified as a true likeness by the Pharmacy Immigration Office, Haifa, for inclusion in naturalization application.
Signed declaration confirming she had never been married before marrying Hermann Berger.
Filed application (Form M.255B) under Article 12(2) of the Palestinian Citizenship Orders, 1925-1942. Haifa address: Harbour Str. 61. References: Horn Dov, Sarni Luba. Application NJ/68800.
Disembarked in Haifa after journey from Belgium via Jewish Brigade. Found sister Änne already in Israel. Sister's husband had died. Stayed 3 months with sister.
Commissioner for Citizenship and Passports notes that husband Chaim Berger's naturalization certificate (issued 8.9.1942) did not include wife's name because he had not disclosed his marriage (15.8.42) when collecting it. Proposes application under Article 12(6) for inclusion of wife's name on husband's certificate.
Certificate of Naturalization No. 70696A issued under Palestinian Citizenship Orders 1925-42. Signed for the High Commissioner in Jerusalem.
On release leave from military. Requested naturalization certificate be forwarded to: Ph. Bernstein, Kvuzat Zeraim, Post Kfar Yechezkel.
Living in Haifa from 1946. Philip was childhood friend from Esslinger Waisenhaus.
Identity Card No. 11553 issued at District Offices Afula. Occupation: Farmer. Race: Jew. Height 5'11", grey eyes, brown hair.
Swore oath of allegiance to the Government of Palestine at the District Commissioner's office in Afula. German passport No. 914 surrendered and kept in custody.
Typed letter from Neuwiesenstr. 239, Stuttgart-Lederberg (Am. Zone) via AJDC office, Reinsburgstr. 19. Plus 3-page handwritten letter from Gemmingen. Confirms family fate: father died Buchenwald, Julius/Elsa deported, Frieda and children deported. Only Josef and Margit survived. Margit emigrated to Palestine. Requesting affidavit for USA. Also wrote to 'Cousin Mina in Franklinton'. Mentions Cousin Sophie. Encloses letter about Jewish history in Gemmingen.
Died in Buenos Aires, Argentina, only 3 years after the end of the war. Age 57.
ITS Certificate of Incarceration No. 450750 (signed J. Nowey). Category: 'Jüdin', profession: 'Hilfsarbeiterin', last address: Hospitalstr. 36, Stuttgart. Confirms: Theresienstadt (Transport XIII/2), Auschwitz (Transport Em 1214), Bad Kudowa-Sakisch. Remark: 'befreit jetzt Palästina'. ITS sources: Brussels, CLI NY, Stuttgart, AJDC Paris.
Dr. Wilmersdorfer recommended the trip. Traveled at expense of cousin in Baltimore. Also saw a doctor who suggested leaving the kibbutz.
Moses arrested 'not as criminal but as Jew' (restitution proceedings)
Died in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Age 71. Had survived the Holocaust in the Netherlands.
Wrote autobiographical memoir in Hebrew and English. Covers childhood, Holocaust experiences (Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, Silesia factory camp), liberation, emigration to Israel, and post-war struggles with mental health. Ends with 'I Accuse.'
From consequences of camp illnesses
Grandchildren of Margit
Grandchild of Margit