A German-Jewish family history
The Reichenbachs of Halberstadt and Wernigerode
In November 1938, Dolf Reichenbach escaped Germany and wrote to his mother from Switzerland. His letter is the starting point for this history of a German-Jewish family: their clothing businesses, persecution, exile and lives rebuilt abroad.
Remembering Paul J. Reichenbach · 1952 – 2026
He built Jewish life with teenagers, at camp and in Israel.
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The Reichenbach Family
Halberstadt, Germany
A short introduction to the letter, the family’s shops, deportation and exile, and the descendants’ return to Halberstadt.
Two handwritten sheets, kept by the family
Dolf’s letter opened the archive.
“Es ist draussen auch schön ohne Geld, man ist wieder Mensch, bedenke das immer.”“It’s also nice outside without money, one is a person again, always keep that in mind.” English translation by Rabbi Dr. Esther Jilovsky
Begin with the German transcription or Rabbi Dr. Esther Jilovsky’s English translation, then examine photographs of the two surviving sheets.
Explore the family and the archive
43 lives · 375 public records · 9 series
One object