The following is a letter from Alexander Braunhart, living in Schubin, Germany to his daughter Anna, who had immigrated to America in 1909 and at the time of the letter was living in Brooklyn, New York. It was just a short time after this letter that the last Braunhart and their entire family was forced out of their ancestral home in Schubin to live in Berlin. It is obvious from this letter, that conditions in Schubin had diminished to the extent, that living there was no longer an option for the remainder of the Braunhart family. And there was still much fighting in the streets.

The handwritten German version is presented first, followed by the letter translated from German to English. The translation is limited due to the poor handwriting in Alexander's' original letter.

This is the translation to English.  Thanks to Matthias Steinke for replacing the initial translation with this far superior version:

23 September, 1919

My dear children and grandchildren!

We received your letter of May 18 just today. We were very delighted, to get a "sign of life" from you finally. Thank 
God that you are healthy and prosper. By the way you and Martha must have received news from us via Gä....?.
Marthas parcel arrived, we weren't longer accustomed such things. But I have reported to you about the food situation, so far no improvement. I haven't seen a measly herring for years. Since we are Polish its ok with the bread, but during the wartime it was horrible. Everything is extremely expensive. You can't get meat for weeks. Even not at new year. The butchers (Jewish) have fled and don't come back to here. 

So far, 7 jewish families went to Germany and others follow. The temple is almost empty and a Jewish school isn't available for years. Namely the Jews have not  to expect good despite all the promises.

For the present, everything is peaceful (quiet), but if Bromberg, Thorn and Graudenz wont surrender peacefully, then it can come to heavy battles again. Especially in Schubin was fought hardest. Cannon fire, machine guns, street fights and so on were some days in January and February very common ("on the agenda"). Plenty of dead bodies and wounded. Pardon was not given. Civilians were arrested daily, even me. But was by ..... released. Now everything is free and the deposits are paid back; but many are still in Germany and will probably never come back. 

Karl with family and 2 children are now also in Berlin and so far without a flat. We feel sorry for the two lovely children. They made good money, but Karl is a passionate card-gambler. Moritz is in Leipzig, Theo and Joseph? in Berlin. Julius is well in Labischin and has a nice little daughter. Cilly is in Berlin since several weeks and waits for her husband who is a POW. A hysteric woman is she. She has 4.000 Mark and from us she also gets although we cannot spare much. Selma, who drove today to Bromberg via Hohensalza (provided with passport) saved also a little bit (3.000 - 4.000 Mark). Frieda works in an office for 60 Mark monthly. 

We have lost money but do not and did not suffer. Theo did a lot for us, Theo sent us many many food from the Ukraine. After the armistice Theo came to Bromberg and couldn't come here, because all was closed. This is still so. By no means we will stay here and wait until the youngsters got a flat, because in Berlin or elsewhere in Germany is no flat available. Thousands emigrate daily. Now you can't to America any more. 

Also the German money has only a few worth in foreign countries. Gold isnt available. A rarity. Polish money is available, but nobody will accept it at the moment. The Dollar costs 14-16 Mark. If we could get the money from the Life Insurance but I am not really sure. It would help us a lot. Is there nothing going on with it? 

Write us about it.

Philipp Braunhart was the fifth son of Alexander Braunhart and Helene Baszynzka Braunhart.  He was born in Schubin, Germany on December 19, 1891.  It is highly likely that his given name when he was young was Bernhard.  In a family photo taken in 1903 or 1904 he was labeled with the name Bernhard.   This can be seen here on the left in the young man in the back center of the family photo. Also, in his Uncle Samuel's will, there is no Philipp, but a nephew Bernhard who was left part of Samuel's estate. Alexander and Samuel's brother Bernhard Braunhart died in 1890, about a year and a half prior to Philipp's birth and it is possible that he was named after his uncle.

Not much is known of Philipp's childhood.  He married Else Schmalenbach, possibly in 1924.  His first child, a son, was born in October, 1925.  Both Philipp and Else were tailors.  When Philipp presented Else to his parents, they were not pleased, as Else was not Jewish as were the Braunhart family.  It is not known whether Philipp and Else were married in Schubin or Berlin.  Most of the Braunhart family had moved to Berlin in the 1920s or had immigrated to America.

In November, 1938, Philpp and Else's tailor shop windows were destroyed during the  Reichskristallnacht  like so many other Jewish businesses.

Philipp's greatest act of courage came a few short years later. There is much written about the Nuremberg Laws, which attempted to define who was a Jew and who wasn't.  Furthermore, there is much ambiguity about forced divorce between German non-Jews and German Jews.  Else, of course was not Jewish and Philipp was. Their children were classified as Mischling, or mixed-blood.



When confronted by the Gestapo, they were informed that if they did not divorce, then Philipp and all three of their children were to be taken to the camps. Philipp made the decision to save his children and agreed to a divorce from Else.  It is not known as to custom, whether Philipp or Else was the person agreeing to the divorce.  In either case, the decision would have been the most traumatic decision of either of their lives.

Else subsequently married Heinz Helwig, a nice and warm person, who thus took the responsibility of raising the children.  Else lived to the age of 81, passing on November 23, 1983.

Philipp and Else's courageous act tragically meant a death sentence for Philipp.  He was taken from Berlin to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, where he was murdered on July 6, 1942.  He has a burial gravestone at  Weissensee Jewish Cemetery in Berlin.

Over the last month or so - with the help of Martha Lesnitzer Zucker and some contributed photos by family members, new albums have been created and populated with the photos that have been shared.

The Tulman and Sternbach Family Albums have added over 90 photos each and the Brunn Album has also had some additions.  A Gandel Album has also been added.

To see all the new albums - go to the Photos tab at the top of this page and select the album you wish to view from one of the drop down choices.

And remember - these albums do not get new photos added unless you contribute. Hint. Hint.