Oppenheimer, Otto

Copy Zug, February 4, 1939. Dear Mr. Oppenheimer! I only received your letter of January 21 yesterday. You addressed it to L. Oppenheimer, so the successors of my firm Louis C. [Oppenheimer] received it and forwarded it to me yesterday. I take the liberty of responding to your inquiry. I have long been interested in whether the Hanover Oppenheimers — as the first names Louis and Otto also suggest — the bankers and cattle dealers, were related to the Michelfeld Oppenheimers. They had a very good name in Hanover and I was often asked about this when I frequently traveled to Hanover on business around the turn of the century. As you probably know, I was the last one to continue the specialty product of my great-grandfather, Zacharias O. in Michelfeld (Lower Franconia) until August of this year. In fact, my father Louis O. (son of Sigmund O., the second-youngest son of Zacharias O.) was in Bruchsal, but had to give up the manufacturing due to a lack of suitable materials (or water) at the end of the 1860s. A few years ago, I had a volunteer (Dr. jur. Edgar Wolf) write the history of the firm O. Michelfeld-Bruchsal based on the available documents. The documents you mentioned, I examined and copied about 30 years ago, when they were still in Michelfeld in the archive of the Freiherren [Barons] von Gemmingen, before their transfer to Neckarelz. However, the main files are in the General State Archive in Karlsruhe, and there Dr. Wolf had ample opportunity for interesting studies. A copy of this book is in the possession of my firm's successors, Ernst Franke & Co. in Bruchsal, because we still trade under the name "Uniform Cloth since 1803," which is now being challenged. As you write, you belong to the Gemmingen Oppenheimers, insofar as they are connected with the Michelfeld branch — that is, through the eldest daughter of August O., who was already married into Gemmingen before his departure for the USA, that is, before 1845. I visited the 80-year-old Mr. Hermann O. a year ago and still think fondly of that visit. What is your family relationship to this gentleman? Did you get my address from him or from Dr. jur. Meyer in Hanover, who is also occupied with the family history of the O[ppenheimer]s? I was still in Michelfeld itself last August, to show my three grandsons from Karlsruhe — shortly before their emigration to the USA — the factory building and the residence of their great-great-great-grandfather. We were also able to visit the cemetery where my grandfather — died May 31, 1872 — Sigmund O. is buried (my grandmother, née Levi? from Karlsruhe, is buried in Waghäusel?), because it was a Saturday. Sheet 2

Abschrift Zug, den 4. Februar 1939. Sehr geehrter Herr Oppenheimer! Ihren Brief vom 21.1. habe ich erst gestern erhalten. Sie haben ihn an L. Oppenheimer adressiert, so haben also die Nachfolger meiner Firma Louis C. erhalten, die ihn mir gestern nachzuschicken. Ich erlaube mir, auf Ihre spätere Anfrage zu erklären. Es hätte mich schon lange interessiert, ob die Hannoverschen Oppenheimer, wie als die Vornamen das auch Louis und Otto besagen, die Bankiers und Viehhändler mit den Michelfelder Oppenheimer verwandt waren. Die hatten einen sehr guten Namen in Hannover und ich wurde oft danach gefragt, als ich um die Jahrhundertwende geschäftl. ich oft nach Hannover kam. Wie Sie wohl wissen, war ich der Letzte, der den Spezialartikel meines Urgrossvaters, Sacharias O. in Michelfeld (Unterfranken) im August dieses Jahres weiterführte. Tatsächlich hat mein Vater Louis O. (Sohn des Sigmund O., des zweitjüngsten Sohnes des Sacharias O.) in Bruchsal, hat aber diese die Fabrikation aus Mangel an geeigneten Waren (oder Wasser) Ende der Sechziger Jahre aufgeben müssen. Vor einigen Jahren habe ich einen Volontär (Dr. jur. Edgar Wolf) die Gesichte der Firma O. Michelfeld-Bruchsal anhand der vorhandenen Dokumente schreiben lassen. Die von Ihnen erwähnten Dokumente habe ich vor ca. 30 Jahren eingesehen und abgeschrieben, als sie noch in Michelfeld im Archiv der Freiherren von Gemmingen zur Verfügung nach Neckarelz waren. Die Hauptakten aber befinden sich in Generallandesarchiv in Karlsruhe und dort hat Dr. Wolf reichlich Gelegenheit für interessante Studien gehabt. Eine Abschrift dieses Buches befindet sich im Besitz meiner Firmennachfolger Ernst Franke & Co. in Bruchsal, weil wir unser noch "Uniformtuche seit 1803" firmieren, was jetzt doch beanstandet wird. Wie Sie schreiben, gehören Sie zu den Gemmingschen Oppenheimern, soweit diese mit den Michelfeldern zusammenhängen, also durch die älteste Tochter des August O., also vor dessen Auszug nach USA, also vor 1845 schon nach Gemmingen verheiratet. Den 80-jährigen Herrn Hermann O. habe ich vor einem Jahr besucht und danke noch mit Freude an diesen Besuch. In welchem Verwandtschaftsverhältnis stehen Sie zu diesem Herrn? Haben Sie von diesem meine Adresse oder von Herrn Dr. jur. Meyer in Hannover, der sich ja auch mit der Familiengeschichte der O. beschäftigt? In Michelfeld selbst war ich noch im August letzten Jahres, um meinen drei Enkelbuben aus Karlsruhe kurz vor ihrer Auswanderung nach USA. das Fabrikgebäude und die Wohnung ihres Ur-Ur-Urgrossvaters zu zeigen. Den Friedhof auf dem mein Grossvater + 31.5.1872 — Sigmund O. begraben liegt (meine Grossmutter, eine geb. Levi? von Karlsruhe liegt in Waghäusel?) begraben haben wir auch besuchen können, weil es Samstag war. Blatt 2

Otto Oppenheimer was a textile manufacturer in Bruchsal, Germany, descended from the Michelfeld branch of the Oppenheimer family. His great-grandfather Zacharias Oppenheimer had established a cloth manufacturing business in Michelfeld (Lower Franconia). By February 1939, Otto had already relocated to Zug, Switzerland, likely fleeing Nazi persecution. This letter responds to a genealogical inquiry from another Oppenheimer, possibly from the Hanover branch. Otto discusses the family's connections across Michelfeld, Gemmingen, Bruchsal, and Hanover, and mentions his grandsons' recent emigration to the USA. The letter reveals a family deeply aware of its history even as it faced displacement and persecution. The firm "Uniformtuche seit 1803" (Uniform Cloth since 1803) was a significant textile enterprise.

— 2 — If you are now interested in the ancestry of the O[ppenheimer]s, I urgently recommend: Contact Mr. Head Teacher S. Rosenthal, Mannheim, Rupprechtstrasse 14. This specialist in genealogy and Jewish history of Southern Germany has prepared a very interesting family tree for me based on available documents and gravestones, and has written a paper about it, which I cannot send you without the author's permission. He demonstrated that the O[ppenheimer]s — who, as you correctly write, took their name from Oppenheim and were settled in Worms for at least approximately 300 years (an Aleph in the 900-year-old synagogue in Worms, of which I have a photographic enclosure, was donated by a David Oppenheimer, with three crowns and the inscription: "The best crown is a good name") — and that an O. in the year 1689 (driven out by the turmoil of war) fled to nearby Ladersach on the Bergstrasse. From there his descendants came to Heinsbach, and from there to Hoffenheim and Michelfeld, District of Sinsheim. This Jew Löb O., born around 1650 in Worms and died after 1722 in Heinsbach, was married to a Chare (Eva) Backerach/Bacharach, a daughter of the famous Rabbi Jair Chaim Bacharach of Worms (born 1660 in Worms and died April 5, 1701, in Laundesheim). This Rabbi Bacharach was a grandson of the equally famous Jewish scholar Chave (Eva), who was born in 1580 in Prague and died in 1652 at the age of 72 on her way to Palestine, in Sofia, where she is buried. And this Mrs. Chave was, through her mother Voglein, the granddaughter of the Jew Efra'im ben Sanschel, the Great Rabbi Löw of Prague (born 1512 and died August 22, 1609, in Prague), whose memorial still stands today on the Wenceslas Square in Prague. The grandfather of this great scholar, who became universally known through his legendary "Golem," also bearing the name Chaim (Heinrich), was born in 1450 in Issenheim (Alsace). It does no harm for us to know all this. So contact the above-mentioned Mr. Rosenthal, and if you or your relatives wish to go to the USA, contact Gemmingen for addresses. The descendants of the above-mentioned Mr. August O. are major textile dealers. With warm regards, signed Otto Oppenheimer. [Handwritten note at bottom:] Copy of a letter from the author / proprietor of the firm Louis Oppenheimer / in Bruchsal, now in Zug, Switzerland / Jahrequartierstrasse 28

— 2 — Wenn Sie sich nun für die Abstammung der O's interessieren, so empfehle ich Ihnen dringend: Wenden Sie sich an Herrn Hauptlehrer S. Rosenthal, Mannheim Rupprechtstr. 14. Dieser Spezialist für Familienforschung & Jüdischer Geschichte Süddeutschlands hat mir einen sehr interessanten Stammbaum anhand vorhandener Dokumente und Grabsteine angefertigt und eine Arbeit dazu geschrieben, die ich Ihnen ohne Genehmigung des Verfassers aber nicht schicken kann. Er wies nach, dass die O's, die wie Sie richtig schreiben aus Oppenheim ihren Namen bezogen und ca. mindestens 300 Jahren in Worms ansässig waren (ein Alef in der 900 jährigen Synagoge in Worms, von der ich eine fotografische Beilage, ist von einem David Oppenheimer gestiftet mit drei Kronen und der Inschrift: Das beste Krone ist der gute Name) und also ein O. in Jahre 1689 (die Wirren von dem Sonne vertrieben wurde) in die nahen Bergstrasse nach Ladersach floh. Von da kamen dessen Nachkommen von Heinsbach und von da nach Hoffenheim und Michelfeld. Amt Sinsheim. Dieser Jude Löb O., um 1650 in Worms geboren und nach 1722 in Heinsbach gestorben, war mit einer Chare (Eva) Backerach/Bacharach einer Tochter des berühmten Rabbi Jair Chaim Bacharach aus Worms verheiratet (geb. 1660 in Worms und gestorben 5.4.1701 in Laundesheim). Dieser Rabbi Bacharach ist ein Enkel der gleichfalls berühmten jüdischen Gelehrten Chave (Eva), die 1580 in Prag geboren und 1652 als 72-Jährige auf dem Weg nach Palästina in Sofia gestorben und begraben ist. Und diese Frau Chave ist durch ihre Mutter Voglein die Enkelin des Jude Efra'im ben Sanschel, des Hohen Rabbi Löw von Prag (geb. 1512 und gestorben am 22. Aug. 1609 in Prag) dessen Denkmal heute noch auf dem Wenzelplatz in Prag steht. Der Grossvater dieses grossen Gelehrten, der durch seinen erlebten "Golem" allgemein bekannt wurde, auch wieder auf den Namen Chaim (Heinrich) wurde 1450 in Issenheim (Alsace) geboren. Es schadet nichts, wenn wir das Alles wissen. Wenden Sie sich also an den von mir oben erwähnten Herrn Rosenthal und wenn Sie oder Ihre Angehörigen nach USA wollen, wenden Sie sich um Adressen nach Gemmingen. Die Nachkommen des gleichfalls oben erwähnten Herrn August O. sind grosse T-Händler. Mit herzlichen Grüssen gez. Otto Oppenheimer. [Handwritten note at bottom:] Abschrift eines Briefes von dem Verfasser / Inhaber der Firma Louis Oppenheimer / in Bruchsal, jetzt in Zug i/d Schweiz / Jahrequartierstr. 28

This second page of Otto Oppenheimer's letter contains a remarkable genealogical account tracing the Oppenheimer family back through centuries of Jewish history in the Rhineland. The family tree connects to several prominent figures in Jewish history, most notably the Maharal of Prague (Rabbi Judah Löw ben Bezalel, here called "Rabbi Löw"), the legendary creator of the Golem. The genealogy traces through Rabbi Jair Chaim Bacharach (1638–1702), a renowned Talmudist and rabbi of Worms, and his grandmother Chave/Eva (1580–1652). The reference to 1689 refers to the devastation of the Palatinate during the Nine Years' War (War of the Grand Alliance), which forced many Jews to flee Worms. The Oppenheimers' name derives from the town of Oppenheim in Rhineland-Palatinate. Otto's recommendation of S. Rosenthal as a genealogical specialist, and his mention of relatives emigrating to the USA, reflects the urgency of Jewish emigration from Germany in early 1939.

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Second copy of page 1 (same content as 001_020_0001), with handwritten annotations in blue ink clarifying "Freiherren von Gemmingen/Hornberg" and "Amt Sinsheim."

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Third copy of page 1 (same content as 001_020_0001). Additional carbon copy or retyped version of the same letter.

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Second copy of page 2 (same content as 001_020_0002), with same handwritten provenance note at bottom.

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[Most of page blank — text from page 1 visible as bleed-through] That I have an income which easily allows me to undertake this responsibility, since I have to support only my wife and my 17 years old son. That my daughter whom I supported a year ago, has got married in the meantime and is supported by her husband. ./.

The conclusion of Samuel Morris's updated affidavit adds personal biographical detail: he supports only his wife and 17-year-old son, and his daughter has recently married and is now supported by her husband — reducing his financial obligations and strengthening his ability to sponsor the Oppenheimers. The "./" notation at the bottom indicates the document continues (likely with a notary page or additional enclosures that were filed separately). Morris's address at 200 West 86th Street — in the same block as Mina Kaufmann at 145 West 86th Street — reinforces the tight geographic cluster of the rescue network on the Upper West Side.

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[Mostly blank page] Sworn to and subscribed before me, a Notary Public, this day of ______________________ Notary Public

This is the blank reverse of the Samuel Morris affidavit letter (see 0003). The pre-printed notary jurat — "Sworn to and subscribed before me, a Notary Public" — appears at the bottom but was never filled in with a date or notary signature. This suggests either that the document was notarized on a separate form, that this is a copy rather than the original sworn document, or that the notarization was completed on the front page. The blank notary section is a standard element of American affidavit forms from this period.

Travel Report No. ________ from ________ Current location: ________ Date: ________ Next address: Place: ________ Hotel ________ until ________ Enclosed ________ Com. No. ________ Payments ________ Re: ________ 17 * Following: inventory of luggage from Munich [?] Crate 663 contains Couch and blankets, bedding etc. " 6964 " Household goods " 6965 " " " " 0066 Kitchen items etc. Suitcase J.O. 1 contains Clothes and shoes [?] " J.O. 10 " Linens etc. " J.O. 12 " " " J.O. 14 Family pictures, dishes etc. [?] " J.O. 15 Same [?] etc. [Calculations at bottom — possibly weight or cost figures:] 345 304 [?] 66 ___

Reise-Bericht Nr. ________ von ________ z. Zt. Ort: ________ Dat.: ________ Nächste Adresse: Ort: ________ Hotel ________ bis ________ Anliegend ________ Com. Nr. ________ Zahlungen ________ Betreff: ________ 17 * Nachfolgend Inhaltsverzeichnis des Gepäcks v. München [?] Kiste 663 enthält Couch u. Decken Betten etc. " 6964 " Haushaltungsgegenstände " 6965 " " " " 0066 Küche etc. Koffer J.O. 1 enthält Koffer Kleider u. Schuhe [?] " J.O. 10 " Wäsche etc. " J.O. 12 " " " J.O. 14 Familienbilder Geschirr etc. [?] " J.O. 15 Dasselbe [?] etc. [?] — [Calculations at bottom:] 345 304 [?] 66 ___

This inventory was written on a pre-printed German "Reise-Bericht" (Travel Report) form — a standard commercial sales or travel form repurposed as shipping documentation. The page number "17*" at the top right suggests it was part of a larger set of records. The inventory confirms the same 4 crates and 5 suitcases documented throughout this correspondence: crates 663/6963, 6964, 6965, and 0066 containing household goods, bedding, and kitchen items; suitcases J.O. (Julius Oppenheimer) 1, 10, 12, 14, and 15 containing clothing, shoes, linens, family photographs, and dishes. The calculations at the bottom may relate to weight (the total shipment weighed 949 kg per the Holland America Line receipt in 0014) or costs. The initials "J.O." on the suitcases — Julius Oppenheimer's monogram — are a personal detail that humanizes the shipping records.

[Handwritten portion:] Munich, [date] 1940 Dear Mina, we have [received?] from Hannover... [discusses everyday matters and emigration plans]... Julius [Second note:] Dear Mina, I too [send you?]... the enclosed... warm greetings... [Typed document:] American Consulate of the United States of America, Section 79 To Mr. and Mrs. Julius and Elsa [Oppenheimer] Afganstrasse [?] Munich Stuttgart, [date] 1940 In response to your application submitted on July 3, 1940 regarding an immigration visa, the issuance [requires] your [?] all necessary papers and documents... consulate fees... to appear. Of the submitted documents, [?] two copies... entry permit... which also [indicates?] the consulate's [requirements]... Respectfully, For the Consul General [signature] Vice Consul [?] of the United States of America at the Consulate

[Handwritten portion at top:] München den 17. [?] [19]40 Liebe Mina, [?] haben wir vor einem [?] von Hannover [?] und [?] folgenden alltäglichen [Posten?] welcher Dir die Absicht und [?] leider [?] ... Du kennst die [Sachen?], wie [?] nur so und [?] ... wir [?] [?] jetzt [?] Absicht [?] wollte [?] ... aus [?] sind [?] ganz genau Abschriften [?] nicht [?] reist u. [?] Es das mir [?] ihre [?] wenigstens [?] nicht [?] werden ... [?] ganze [?] klein u. würde [?] Julius [Second handwritten note:] Liebe Mina, auch ich [?] Dich [?] und schicke Dir [?] einem auch [?] Weg die beiliegende [?] Grüsse Dich herzlich [?] der uns [?] nichts Besseres [?] zu erklären [?] M.b. [?] [Typed document at bottom:] Amerikanisches Konsulat der V.St.M. Abt. 79 Herrn u. Frau Julius u. [?] Elsa [?] Afganstrasse [?] München An der Sprechstunde auf Ihren am 3. Juli 19 40 [?] eingereichten Antrag [?] hier von Einwanderungsvisum dafür ist die Ausstellung [?] Ihres mündlichen [?] Ihres müssen das [?] erforderliches Papiere alle Antworten [?] der [?] Möglichkeit u. Ihre als etwas [?] der Konsulatsgebühren [?] hiermit mir [?] zu erscheinen. Von das bekanngegebnen Dokumenten wurden [?] zwei Kopie [?] eine Bestellung oder [?] von [?] und [?] Abstimmungsterminen mitteilen [?] wir [?] wir die Einreiseerlaubnis [?] gab Seite 19 [?] welches auch daraus [?] Konsulats der Reisen auswärtige lässt. Hochachtungsvoll Für den Generalkonsul [?] d. B. Gemein [?] Vizekonsul B. [?] der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika bei dem Konsulat

This is an exceptionally important document. It contains an official response from the American Consulate in Stuttgart regarding Julius and Elsa Oppenheimer's application for an immigration visa to the United States, filed on July 3, 1940. The U.S. Consulate in Stuttgart handled visa applications for the southern German region. By 1940, the visa process had become extremely difficult, with long waiting lists, extensive documentation requirements, and the need for affidavits of support from American relatives. This document represents part of the paper trail of the Oppenheimers' ultimately unsuccessful attempt to emigrate. Julius and Elsa Oppenheimer were later deported and murdered in the Holocaust.

Munich, November 5, 1940. Dear Mina! Today [I am sending?] an enclosed small package... [expressing hopes and wishes] that everything will be good again in [coming] years... [News about family]... Your Thekla E. and J. [Elsa and Julius] [Second note:] Dear Mina, [Short update about health and family, mention of Red Cross communication] [Third note:] Dear Mina! Hopefully we will soon receive news from you... [Discussion about packages and supplies]... For today, warm greetings, Anna Volz [?]

München den 5. Nov. 1940. Liebe Mina! Heute [?] von einem einliegend [?] kleines Paket [?] nachgeschickt erhoffen [?] ich [?] Wünsche [?] wir alle wieder gut aber in [?] ein Jahren in Erfüllung gehen mögen. [?] nachher [?] auf lieben Brief [von?] [?] ... [?] in [?] Jahren [?] guten Bericht ... griisst alle [?] Verwandten [?] an ... und [?] noch [?] weiter [?] die Kinder [?] ist [?] der Mutter [?] alles gut [?] ... Deine Thekla E. u. J. [Elsa und Julius] [Second note:] Liebe Mina, [Short message — appears to discuss health and family news, mentions "Rote Kreuz" (Red Cross)] Deine Thekla [?] [Third note:] Liebe Mina! Hoffentlich bekommen wir bald [?] Nachricht von Dir [?] Ihr [?] leben Seite [?] dass in [?] Nachkür [?] fertig [?] sind [?] vorläufig [?] gebraucht [?] uns und hoffe [?] dass bald [das?] [?] ... damit ankommt. Für heute [?] herzliche Grüsse Anna Volz [?] [Fourth note at bottom:] [?] würde nicht vorgeschickt. [?] Kuvekal [?] [?] Grüsse [?] ... Seife abgegeben [?]

By November 1940, the Oppenheimers in Munich were living under severe Nazi restrictions. Communication with relatives abroad was increasingly limited to Red Cross messages. Multiple family members added short notes to letters, maximizing use of the limited postal opportunities. The letter contains wishes and hopes that the situation would improve.

Munich, January 14, [year] Dear Kriegs family! [New Year's greetings and wishes]... dear sister... children... and from mother... [discussing] birthday — [hoping that] the journey [will happen]... greetings... My dear ones, through your dear [letters] we always [hear] from you and are glad that you have settled in. But you are already a young lady — for it has been almost [several] good years since you left here. Mina is now no longer in New York but has been in Baltimore for several weeks. How are your dear wife [and] Mr. [?]. From my loved ones in Holland, we regularly receive news and they are, thank God, healthy... Please do let us hear from you sometime. All most warmly greeted by your Elsa. [Bottom note — address:] To Siegfried Kriege, Horace Harding Road 15, East [?] Plain, N.J.

München den 14. Jan. [?] Liebe Familie Kriegs! Hoffen und dürfen Neues Jahr's [?] Grüsse über liebe Schwester u. Hallo [?] Kinder [?] und von der Mutter [?] Last u. glauben [?] wurde [?] ein gewisse [?] der Normalene u. Geburtstag — und [?] ganz nur [?] die Reise wieder [?] auslassen! [?] ich [?] uns war, und nicht etwas die lieben u. [?] empfangen alle liebt. [?] Grüsse u. U. Meine lieben, über [?] lieben Seelen wir immer von Euch u. freuen uns, dass Du und [?] eingebehlt habt. Aber aber wir schon eine junge Dame — [?] denn es wird doch schon beinahe gute Jahre, dass Ihr von hier fort seid. Mina ist [?] ja nun nicht mehr in New York sondern seit einigen Wochen in Baltimore. Wie geht es Deinen lb. Frau [?] Herr [?]. Von meinen Lieben in Holland haben wir regelmässig Nachrichte sind u. sie ist Gottseidank gesund. [?] Dein [?] Kleiner auch die [?] u. [?] Habt bitte auch mal etwas von Euch hören für sie. Alle herzlichst gegrüsst von Eurem Elsa. [Bottom note:] An Siegfried Kriege, Horace Hardling [?] Road 15 East Plain, N.J. [?]

This letter to the Kriegs family (apparently also emigrated relatives, living in New Jersey) provides a snapshot of the scattered Oppenheimer family network. Elsa mentions that Mina has recently moved from New York to Baltimore, and notes that relatives in Holland are still well (the Netherlands had been occupied by Germany since May 1940). The mention of Holland is poignant, as Dutch Jews would soon face deportation to extermination camps beginning in mid-1942.