us-005578-irn721919-irn517181
type: RecordSet
archival history: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
biographical history: Esther Eisen was born Ester “Tusia” Cygielberg on February 1, 1929, in Łódź, Poland to Falik Cygielberg (b. 1899) and Rozka Cygielberg (b. 1902). Rozka was her father’s second wife. He was previously married to Rozka’s sister, with whom he had a son, Zachariah Salek (b. 1915). Falik worked as a merchant. The family lived 11 Listopada 31 Street in Łódź, Poland. Following the German occupation of Łódź in September 1939, Falik fled the city. Upon his return he was several beaten. Tusia’s uncle, Mietek, who lived in the same apartment building, was shot and killed in the street for defending a humiliated Jew. Mietek’s wife, Rela, and daughter, Minia, became Falik’s responsibility. During this time, Tusia was responsible for standing in line to try to buy bread and other produce because her father felt that the Germans were less likely to bother a little girl. After the schools reopened, Tusia returned to school. However, one of her friends, Fredzia, had been killed by the Germans in one of their attacks on Jews. A few months into their occupation, Germans forcibly entered the Cygielberg apartment under the pretense of an inspection. Tusia’s parents and brother fled through the back door, but Tusia was told to stay. In January 1940, the Germans confiscated the family’s apartment. They had ten minutes to vacate the apartment but managed to take some clothing, bedding, and books. They were relocated to Drewnowska 11 in the Łódź ghetto. Tusia’s aunt Rela, cousin Minia, and their former maid moved into the family’s unheated ghetto apartment. With seven people crammed into a single room, there were frequent quarrels, spying, and anger, particularly regarding food rations. Tusia contracted measles. In the winter of 1940, the family observed Hanukah holiday. Her mother discovered a small package of dry and stale cookies on top of a cupboard, and Tusia received a food package from Jewish friends who were surviving outside of the ghetto due to their Soviet citizenship. Tusia’s mo…
has or had holder: us-005578
has or had identifier: 1
has or had subject: 701
has record set type: Item
identifier: irn517181
is or was included in: us-005578-irn721919
record resource extent: folder 1
record resource structure: The Esther and Roman Eisen photograph collection is arranged in a single series.
results or resulted from: 1
scope and content: The collection consists of seven photographs relating to the experiences of the Cygielberg and Eisen families in Łódź, Poland, before World War II. Also included in the collection is a wedding photograph of Esther and Roman Eisen.
title: Esther and Roman Eisen photograph collection