Black velvet two-piece cocktail dress brought with a Polish Jewish emigre
Extent and Medium
a: Height: 20.375 inches (51.753 cm) | Width: 16.000 inches (40.64 cm)
b: Height: 47.750 inches (121.285 cm) | Width: 25.875 inches (65.723 cm)
Creator(s)
- Hanna Lieberman Levi (Subject)
- Ella Lieberman (Subject)
Biographical History
Ella Brecher was born in 1905 in Olomuac, Czech Republic, Austro-Hungary. Ella married Benedykt Lieberman (1896-1950), an economist. The couple first lived in Olomuac and then settled in his hometown, Stanislawow, Poland (now Sasiv, Ukraine). Benedykt's father owned a yeast and alcohol factory there. They had one daughter, Hanna, born in 1930. Ella opened a primary school with Hanna's nanny in the 1930s. Most of the Lieberman family immigrated to Palestine from late 1935-1939, where they operated a farm near Nahariya. In 1939, Ella, Benedykt, and Hanna also immigrated to Palestine. Ella, 38, committed suicide in 1943.
Hanna Lieberman (later Levi) was born in 1930 in Stanislawow, Poland (now Sasiv, Ukraine), to Benedykt and Ella Brecher Lieberman. Benedykt was born in Stanislawow to Filip and Babette (1858-1927) Lieberman. Benedykt had three sisters: Jeannette Münch (1891-1967), Cecylia (Cilli) Kupferman (1892-1973), and Aniela (Nelly) Sperber (1898-1989). Filip owned a yeast and alcohol factory. Ella was born in 1905 in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia, then part of Austro-Hungary. The couple lived there before moving to Stanislawow. The family was well off. Benedykt was an economist. Ella ran a primary school with Hanna's nanny in the 1930s. Most of the Lieberman family immigrated to Palestine from late 1935-1939, where they operated a farm in Ein Sara near Nahariya. In 1939, Hanna and her parents immigrated to Palestine. Nazi Germany invaded Poland in September 1939. Hanna's grandfather Filip went to the ghetto in Kolomyja in 1941, where he died of natural causes. Ella, 38, committed suicide in 1943 following an unhappy love affair. Benedykt, 55, passed away in 1951.
Archival History
The dress was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2009 by Hanna Levi, the daughter of Ella Brecher Lieberman.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Hanna Levi
Scope and Content
Black velvet skirt and top owned by Ella Brecher Lieberman when she emigrated with her husband and 9 year old daughter, Hanna, from Stanislawow, Poland (Sasiv, Ukraine), to Palestine in 1939.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
a. Short, flared, black velvet jacket with a mandarin collar and a cloth covered button. The jacket has long sleeves that gather and balloon at the bottom. Weights are sewn into the bottom hem line. b. Long, A-line, black velvet skirt. The waist has 2 hook and eye closures on the left with metal snaps down the side. There are two slits in the back and a half-circle shaped small train. The inside waist is lined with ribbon and has 2 hanger loops.
Subjects
- Poland--Emigration and immigration.
- Jewish families--Poland.
- Palestine--Emigration and immigration.
- Jews--Poland--History--20th century.
Genre
- Object
- Clothing and Dress