As you well know, the Holocaust directly affected several Braunhart ancestors, especially those who were murdered - Philipp (July 6, 1942, Sachsenhausen). Hanna (February 19, 1943, Auschwitz), and Julius (March 23, 1943, Theresienstadt).

And those who escaped - Selma, Theo, Lilly, Lothar, and Selma's future husband George Gandel.

And Else, Horst, Gisela, and Bernhard, the wife and children of Philipp, whose forced divorce because of the Nuremberg laws delivered an unknowable pain and suffering to the family. Not to mention their descendants, who remain in Germany to this day.

And what about Cilly, who married a Christian, but likely had to hide out during that time?

And Karl and Hedwig, who left their daughter Hanna, and immigrated to America, but must have felt enormous guilt as she remained and was killed in Auschwitz.

How about Alexander himself, who was hidden in a basement until he died in 1941?

And countless other Braunhart ancestors and relatives who lost part of their family.

Martha recently attended a Kristallnacht Commemoration and returned with a very nice summary chart of a Holocaust timeline.  It is below.

Regarding Kristallnacht, Philipp and Else's tailor shop was destroyed during that night.

You can read more about Kristallnacht in Kristallnacht - Wikipedia
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Sara Selma Braunhart was one of the "rocks" of the Braunhart family. She gave up a lot in her early life to take care of the "old father" as he was called after mother Helene died in 1925.  She was born in Schubin in 1894, the second youngest daughter. She and younger daughter Frieda stayed with their parents until finally moving to Berlin in the early 1920s.

Some time in the late 1930s she escaped the Nazis by travelling to England, where she worked as a domestic and as a cook. So for at least a decade she took care of her father by herself, as Frieda had married and immigrated to America with her new husband in 1926. She is fondly called the "welfare aunt" in the letter below, in honor of her always helping her siblings, parents and others.

She found love later in life with George Gandel. George had met Selma's brother Theo, along with Julius' wife Dorka and Dorka's children Lilly and Lothar when all of them escaped to Shanghai. George had been playing the piano in nightclubs and other houses of entertainment.

After Selma had immigrated to the U.S. in 1946, she was introduced to George remotely and they later met in person and the rest is history. They married on August 28, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York.  Selma was 60 and George a few years younger. They were able to spend 15 happy years together until George's passing in 1969.

Below is a letter from Selma's older sister Cilly and her husband Horst, congratulating Selma on her wedding:

Following is the English translation:

Cottbus, September 1954


Dear Selma and dear Brother-in-law!

How we were wondering about that little letter with the unknown handwriting and the strange return address before we even opened it and we thought, is there going to be good or bad news told in it, but I've never thought of receiving such a surprise. Just hours before as many other times we were talking about that you rejected more than one admirer who desired you so much. 

As much luck and health as there can possibly be we wish both of you from all our hearts. You, dear Selma, have worked your entire life and were always ready for a good deed. Aunt Selma the welfare aunt! Twice as much luck we wish you. 

Apart from that we have accepted the fact that all of you are hardly ever writing anymore, there is nothing one could do about it. We already confirmed the reception of your package in the beginning of July and since we never know if you receive our letter we gratefully do it again. Soon it will be Jewish New Year's. Everybody we wish the very best, but no more heartaches. 

Also congratulations to those who have a birthday coming up soon. 

All my love, your grateful Cilli
p.s.  How is Anna's recently married daughter?


Dear Selma and dear Brother-in-law!

After reading the surprise about your wedding I had to sit down right away, otherwise I would have fainted! Now you have become unfaithful to me after all, so I wish that you and the new Brother-in-law will have many happy years together in great health. 

Happy New Year to everybody and the best for everybody,

From your grateful Horst.