us-005578-irn723268-irn548900
type: RecordSet
archival history: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
biographical history: Ruth Liebermensch was born on February 6, 1925, in Mannheim, Germany, to a Jewish couple, Samuel and Gisela Schiff Liebermensch. She had a sister, Hanna Amalie, born on May 18, 1920. Samuel was born on February 24, 1887, in Pless (now Pszczyna, Poland), to Moritz and Rosa Liebermensch. Gisela was born on September 30, 1890, in Angenrod, to Max and Pauline Schiff. She had a brother, Fritz. Samuel was in the German Army during World War I (1914-1918). He and Gisela were engaged on August 15, 1916, and married on February 12, 1918, in Mannheim. Samuel was the cantor at the synagogue. He also taught bar mitzvah lessons, instructing students in Hebrew and Jewish history. Gisela was a professional singer, a soprano specializing in Wagner and Schubert lieder. Ruth was close with her maternal grandparents. Her grandfather Max was the shamas at the synagogue and assisted with synagogue services. In January 1933, Hitler came to power in Germany and an antisemitic Nazi dictatorship was established. Ruth took dance lessons and had to avoid groups of Hitler Youth on her way home. Ruth’s father was summoned to the Gestapo because he purchased two cameras. Kosher meat was rationed. On November 9 and 10, 1938, during Kristallnacht, the synagogue was burned down, as was the home of Ruth’s maternal grandparents, Max and Pauline. They came to stay with Ruth and her family. Several hours later, the Gestapo came and arrested Samuel and Max. After pleas at the police station, Max was allowed to return home. Samuel was held in Buchenwald concentration camp for four weeks before being released. Samuel and Gisela wanted to flee Germany for the United States but had to wait for their quota numbers. They decided to send their daughters to England on the Kindertransport [Children's Transport]. About June 1939, Ruth, 13, and Hanna, 18, were sent to Leeds, England. The war began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. The Kindertransport children were moved to the countryside for their…
date: circa 1915-circa 1946
has or had holder: us-005578
has or had identifier: 1
has or had some members with language: deu
has or had some members with language: heb
has or had subject: 1980
has or had subject: 843
has or had subject: 701
has record set type: Item
identifier: irn548900
is or was included in: us-005578-irn723268
record resource extent: folders oversize box 2 1
record resource structure: The collection is arranged as a single series.
results or resulted from: 1
scope and content: Contains photographs, documents, and letters regarding the family of Samuel and Gisela (Schiff) Liebermensch of Mannheim, Germany. Includes photographs of a synagogue in Mannheim before and after Kristallnacht; a photograph of Samuel Liebermensch in the Gurs concentration camp in France; an address book given to Gisela Liebermensch containing messages from people who sought help in the U.S. for their emigration; and other documents related to immigration efforts.
title: Liebermensch family papers