They were able to tell me that Heinz Wertheim was a shoemaker apprentice who was born on June 26th, 1921 in Bremke, Germany. He married a Dutch girl named, Ruth Sara*, and they lived in the Netherlands and were sent together to Westerbork. They were so young ... he would have been 22 and and she just 21.
In Westerbork, on May 6, 1943, they had a baby and named him Paul Freidrich.
The baby died six weeks later.
I just noticed that the postcard was written on May 5th 1943, the day before the baby was born, and postmarked May 8th, two days after. Perhaps they got money from someone outside Westerbork because they were expecting a baby (the postcard said, "Many thanks for the money you sent.") ... and I imagine Heinz wrote the card on the 5th, then was busy with the new baby and didn't get a chance to mail the card until the 8th.
Shortly after the baby died, on September 14, 1943, Heinz and Ruth were sent together to Auschwitz.
Heinz died at Monowitz, which was a labor camp at Auschwitz, on December 12, 1944, after surviving there for more than a year. He was 23. His wife, Ruth, survived Auschwitz and was sent to Ravensbruck and then Malchow, a subcamp of Ravensbruck. She survived the death marches from Ravensbruck before being liberated in Neustadt. She eventually emigrated to Israel.
There's one more thing.
I think Ruth may still be alive and that I've possibly located her. She would be 88 now. I have probably the only thing that still physically exists that her young husband touched ... all those years ago, right at the same time their baby was born.
So, do I leave well enough alone, or try to contact her and ask if she wants the postcard?
*During the Holocaust, Jewish women were made to use the middle name "Sara" to state their Jewishness. I don't know if this is her real middle name or not.
9 comments:
What? That's a crazy story, and I have goosebumps. You *must* contact her, right? Right?
Oh my ... I too have goosebumps. How amazing that you should find all this out. I would say that absolutely you should contact her, imagine the joy it would bring to see that one thing he touched again. Sad, but joyous. Brilliant that you delved deeper.
maybe see if she has any family. if she does, you could contact them first and see if she would be interested in having the postcard or not. it's possible this is something she doesn't want to remember... or not. either way, it might be easier for her to hear about it from a family member.
-^..^- oh my
Lisa, you have been given an incredible gift ... a key in someone else's life, need you ask if you should follow through or not?
How is it you think the universe lead you to the postcard? Because you would find Ruth Sarah and see that this treasure found it's way home.
Find her address and send the card. No strings. Let her have the memory even if it is a hard one. There is a reason she needs to remember this part of her past. Another key for her. Your part is just to deliver the postcard and wish her well.
Maybe it is closure. Maybe it is a beginning.
My thoughts. xx zU
yes, i'm going to try to return the postcard to her ... there is only one person i can find online with her full name, and the ages are the same, so i'm hoping it's her ... will keep you posted ...
Hi, Lisa! I agree that you should at least try to contact her, and give her the chance to say yes she'd like it or no she'd rather not. Very touching story.
The postcard is in YOUR hands for a reason <3
You might want to contact the Israeli embassy, they might help you or at least connect you with someone who has this kind of research experience.
xoxo
that is an amazing story.... I would contact her or the family.
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