Menczel, Kahn and Reichnitzer family papers

Identifier
irn725556
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2020.276.1
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • Polish
  • German
  • English
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

folders

book enclosures

oversize boxes

oversize folder

4

4

2

1

Creator(s)

Biographical History

Feiga (Fanny) Menczel (also Menzel and later Kahn, b. 1906 or 1907) was born in Poland to Shmil Menczel (b. 1869) and Adele Menczel (née Tinter, b. 1870) and had three siblings: Berta (b. 1900), Joseph (b. 1911), and Helen (Lene, b. 1912). During World War I, Fanny and her family left Poland and moved to Vienna, Austria. Fanny met Wilhelm (Willy) Theodor Kahn (b. 1904, Vienna, Austria) through the Blau Weiss Zionist Youth movement and they married on June 20, 1931. Wilhelm had at least one sibling, Lory (Lore, circa 1902-1922) Khan, and his mother’s name was Frieda Reichnitzer (d. circa 1923). Wilhelm left Vienna for Palestine in 1933 and was joined by Fanny in 1934. Fanny briefly returned to Vienna to finish her degree at the University of Vienna then returned to Palestine where she worked as a pharmacist and Wilhelm worked as an electrical engineer. They had one daughter, Shula (Shulamit) born on January 28, 1937 in Palestine. Helen studied medicine in Vienna and married Edouard Reichwager (later Reeves). After the the German annexation of Austria in March 1938 (Anschluss), Joseph left for France where he settled in Lyon. Shmil and Adele emigrated from Vienna to Palestine in 1938.

Archival History

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum collection, gift of Shulamith Ziv

The collection was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum by Shulamith Ziv in 2020.

Scope and Content

Prewar and wartime photographs depict Fanny, Wilhelm, and their families, including siblings, parents, and cousins. The collection also includes Frieda Reichnitzer’s poetry book and cookbook, two of Fanny’s autograph books, and Lory Kahn’s autograph book.

System of Arrangement

The Menczel, Kahn, and Reichnitzer family papers are arranged as a single series.

Conditions Governing Reproduction

Copyright Holder: Ms. Shulamith Ziv

People

Subjects

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.