Rebecca Gratz to Maria Gist Gratz - March 13, [1836]

Rebecca expresses her joy at the prospect that Margaret's (Peggy) sister is recovering and ponders the tradition of April Fools' Day.

Rebecca expresses her relief to her sister-in-law Maria after learning she arrived safely in New Orleans. She then updates her on the health, travels, and whereabouts of family and friends.

Miriam writes to her aunt Rebecca, updating her on the health, travels, and activities of family and friends.

Herbert Broh was born in Berlin, Germany in 1930. He shares his childhood memories of his life in Germany and his family’s journey to Shanghai. Herbert relates several experiences of abusive antisemitism by his friends and his teacher, as well as his impressions of Kristallnacht.

His family left Germany for Shanghai in April of 1939 to join family members already living on Seward Road in the Hongkew section of Shanghai, under Japanese occupation. Herbert was enrolled in the Kadoorie School and later a cheder. He talks about his Jewish education at the cheder and the Yeshiva Katana in great detail, as well as the effect of his growing orthodoxy on his life and his family. He describes his family’s living conditions and life in Shanghai and states he was very happy there. He was only dimly aware that other refugees had a more difficult existence. His father worked for a Chinese factory managed by Japanese; his mother worked as a cook at the Komor Kindergarten.

After Pearl Harbor, his family was evacuated to the Kadoorie School. He mentions interaction between Japanese and refugees. He vividly describes the events during and after the Japanese capitulation and the arrival of Chinese Nationalist and later American troops. He witnessed the departure of the entire Mirrer Yeshiva to Canada in 1946. Herbert and his family went to the United States in 1947. He describes his life in the United States and his feelings about his years in Shanghai. He is now a Cantor in Sun City, California.

Interviewee: BROH, Herbert Date: October 15, 1999

Rebecca updates her friend Maria on her sister's health and tells of the tragic death of an acquaintance.

Rebecca writes to her brother Ben, sending her deepest condolences on the death of his wife, Maria Gist Gratz. Their niece Sarah adds a note, also expressing her grief.