We introduce 8 children to the visitors of the museum. The museum is not only in a living synagogue on the site of a historical synagogue, it was also the site of a Jewish school during Nazi time. It united the Jews in this difficult time, it was an island of Nazi free ideology, it was a place where parents could come at Fridays to enjoy Shabbat activities during this terrible times where Jews were rejected everywhere else in town. The children learned languages and were fit for leaving to other countries (and support their parents in foreign languages). A place of Jewish empowerment.
So we wanted to make it very special and invented a special machine. We created the “glowing wheel”, it works like a computer mouse. First an introduction with children paintings of heart strings, that were connecting them all around the world. Than you can choose between 4 languages Russian, English, German and Hebrew. Than you can look at the 8 Stories, videoclips with photos, interviews and animated elements, sounds, music, voices….
We developed it from the scratch with our very good creative company in Leipzig (Germany) and a media company.
Wir sind wegen Förderung gemeinnütziger Zwecke insbesondere der Förderung kultureller Zwecke durch Bescheinigung des Finanzamtes für Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/669/53052, nach § 5 Abs- 1 Nr. 9 des Körperschaftssteuergesetzes von der Körperschaftssteuer befreit.
Wir sind berechtigt für Spenden Zuwendungsbestätigungen auszustellen.
In the three-minute report you can get an insight into the new museum in the active synagogue of Kaliningrad (Koenigsberg). You can set the subtitles in English, German and Hebrew.
On the occasion of the opening of the museum in the Kaliningrad Synagogue on October 9, 2022, journalists from the Kaskad TV channel summarize impressions and opinions of the organizers and guests from the cultural and tourism industry.
We thank all our supporters and of course the German Foreign Office.
Wir sind wegen Förderung gemeinnütziger Zwecke insbesondere der Förderung kultureller Zwecke durch Bescheinigung des Finanzamtes für Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/669/53052, nach § 5 Abs- 1 Nr. 9 des Körperschaftssteuergesetzes von der Körperschaftssteuer befreit.
Wir sind berechtigt für Spenden Zuwendungsbestätigungen auszustellen.
Dear friends, relatives and contributors to the project
In March 2021 we were able to inform you that our association has received the grant notification from the German Foreign Office for a project funding of the permanent exhibition “Museum New Synagogue Kaliningrad/Königsberg”. Since then, under pandemic conditions, planning was carried out, tendering procedures were held and with the help of a special carpentry workshop, a model maker and many media technicians, an exhibition was created that is precisely tailored to the hall in the synagogue in Kaliningrad. The completion of the production on February 24, 2022, with the international crisis that began on that day, made the transportation to Kaliningrad a major challenge.
But on September 16, we got the last digital object of the exhibition up and running on site. On Sunday, September 18, the exhibition was presented to the Jewish Congregation and went live.
The exhibition, as well as the accompanying museum website, are multilingual throughout. More details can be found on the Internet and social media.
The entire process was accompanied by the local managing director, Mrs. Julia Oisboit, who continues to be the contact person in Kaliningrad for all matters concerning the museum.
We thank you very much for your contribution to our work and remain with many greetings
Wir sind wegen Förderung gemeinnütziger Zwecke insbesondere der Förderung kultureller Zwecke durch Bescheinigung des Finanzamtes für Körperschaften I Berlin, Steuernummer 27/669/53052, nach § 5 Abs- 1 Nr. 9 des Körperschaftssteuergesetzes von der Körperschaftssteuer befreit.
Wir sind berechtigt für Spenden Zuwendungsbestätigungen auszustellen.
I know many people are frustrated when hitting a wall in their research. I wanted to share my story of finding my mom’s relatives to encourage people to keep trying. There is so much information online and with a little bit of luck too you can find what you are looking for.
This is my story: 4 years ago, I was visiting Poland. Before travelling there, I did some research in JRI-Poland website and found the location of my mom’s grandfather’s grave. With the help of my wonderful Polish friend Isia Stybel, I went to the Jewish cemetery in Warsaw and found the grave.
My mom never met her grandfather Binyamin Zeev Petersilie who passed away in Poland in 1920. My 2nd name is also Binyamin, because I was named after him.
After this discovery, I decided to try searching for living lost relatives of my mom. My mom was born in Israel and never met her uncles or aunts. Her father’s sister Miriam immigrated from Warsaw to the USA. Her father’s brother Avraham immigrated from Warsaw to Russia.
The connection was lost 50 years ago, and I was searching for their descendants with the big help of my friend Isia. Luckily the family name of my grandfather Petersilie is unique. Avraham Petersilie had a son named Joseph and a grandson named Victor.
By searching on Google, we found that Victor Petersilie is working in the Russian Research Geological Oil Institute. We called there using a Russian speaker and got Victor’s phone number, but it was the wrong number. We wanted to call again to get the right number and, in the meantime, I was trying to find other information on Facebook. I looked for Petersilie people with Russian first names and found Polina Petersilie. I wrote to her and she was Victor’s granddaughter living in the USA She gave me everybody’s contact info.
Finding my mom’s Aunt Miriam’s descendants was harder. Miriam had one daughter Ann Rosenthal (which is a very common name), who visited here in Israel and met my mom in 1969. Ann’s children’s Hebrew names are Miriam and Mordechai, and I was looking for them.
I started by searching the old address of Ann Rosenthal in Brooklyn my mom has. I found many phone numbers online, but no one is connected anymore.
My mom found a picture of her aunt’s grave and found out Ann Rosenthal’s maiden name was Halbfish.
By searching on Google for Ann Rosenthal and Halbfish we found an obituary from 2014 for Ann’s death and condolences for her half-brother Murray Halbfish. We found Murray’s phone number on Google and through him we found Ann’s children Leslie (Miriam) and Marc (Mordechai). Unfortunately, Murray passed away 2 years ago. Also, it’s sad that we found my mom’s cousin’s children because of her obituary.
Only a few months later, Victor’s family surprised us and came for a visit in Israel. Victor and his wife Helena came from Moscow. Victor’s son Denis and his wife Katia and their kids Egor, Varvara and Zahar came from Holland. My mom Shoshana was super happy about this family reunion. Victor told me he was very happy I found him because besides his children and grandchildren he didn’t have any other family.
Because of the family meeting, there was a demand for a family tree. This is why I created my family tree in MyHeritage.
A year later there was another family meeting in Israel (with more Israeli relatives), this time in Eilat. In the same week my brother Elad (who lives in the USA) met with Victor’s daughter Yulia in Washington. Two family meetings in two different continents in the same week ! We also hope to meet Ann Rosenthal’s children too in Israel or the USA.
At Alon’s mother’s grandfather’s grave at the Jewish cemetery in WarsawSame grave 100 years ago. My grandfather Pinhas is sitting below the grave. Also in the picture was his brother Yitzhak, his sister Miriam and his mom RachelDenis and his family (Katia, Egor, Varvara, Zahar) and Alon meeting in Tel AvivVictor and Alon meeting in Tel AvivVictor and Alon’s mother Shoshana meeting in Tel AvivMeeting in a restaurant in Tel Aviv: Victor, Alon’s mother, Katia, Egor and DenisFamily meeting in Eilat a year later. from left to right: Katia, Zahar, Varvara, Denis, Egor, Helena, Victor, Alon’s mother, Henanit and EliFamily meeting in Washington. Alon’s brother Elad and his family with Yulia, Victor’s daughter
The history of Petersilie family
Alon:
My mother’s father was Pinchas Petersilie, who was born in 1901 and passed away in Israel in 1977.
He came to Israel in 1924 and later again to bring his mom in 1934.
His father was Rabbi Binyamin Zeev (Wolf) Petersilie, who passed away in 1921 in Warsaw.
In 2018 I was in Warsaw and found his grave in the Jewish cemetery !
He lived in Nalewki 38, and was the son of Avarham Tsvi Petersilie.
Binyamin Zeev was an important man, a Rabbi and a teacher. Many people came to seek his advice.
On his grave I found out it is written he is from Trisk (I found out it is a Hasidic dynasty).
Binyamin Zeev Petersilie was married to Rachel (Ruchla) Chaja, daughter of Yitzhak Isaiah and was born in 1861.
She came to Israel in 1934, and passed away on 19 April 1946 in Israel.
Besides my grandfather Pinhas, their other children were:
1. Bentzion Petersilie, who passed away on 13 January 1938 in Poland
His address in Warsaw was Wilcza 5. His daughter Fradla (Frani in Polish) was born in 1901, and was married in 1920 to Matityahu Hochgleben. She came to Israel in 1936. She had 2 children: Chawa (Hava in Hebrew) and Zeev (probably named after his grandfather) Zeev was married to Yulia and had 2 children: Mathew and Jessica.
Chawa had 2 children: Henanit and Maoz.
2. Yitzhak Petersilie, was married to Frida Berzinski. Their daughters were Pesia and Hannah (died at age 8 and 6).
Unfortunately, he was killed in Równe in 1941 with his wife and 2 daughters.
3. Avraham Binyaminov Petersilie, was married to Anna Michailovna.
He was a writer, and arrested (from 1950 until 1955) for teaching Hebrew. He passed away in Moscow in 1970.
His son Joseph was born in 1914 in Warsaw, and moved with his parents later to Moscow.
He was a geologist and passed away in Moscow in 1987.
Joseph’s son is Viktor, who was born in Russia in 1941. He is also a geologist and lives in Moscow.
Viktor has a son Denis who was born in 1975 in Moscow. Denis is a mathematician and lives in Haag, Holland.
Denis is married to Katerina and they have 3 children: Igor, Varvara (Barbara) and Zahar (Zachary).
Viktor has a daughter Yulia, who was born in Moscow in 1965. She lives now in Maryland, USA.
Yulia has a daughter Polina, who was born in Moscow in 1995. Polina studied psychology in Maryland.
In 2018 found Victor and his children.
4. Miriam Petersilie, born in Warsaw in 1895 and passed away in the USA on 1 April 1927. She was a professor of languages at the University in Warsaw. She was married to Max Halbfish, son of Zisel.
Her daughter was Ann Rosenthal, who was born in Warsaw on 23 April 1923 but moved and lived in Brooklyn. The address was 2132 Stuart street, Brooklyn, New York. She was married on 28 November 1946 and passed away on 12 April 2014.
Her children’s names were: Leslie (Hebrew name Miriam), who was born on 20 February 1952 and Marc (Hebrew name Mordechai), who was born on 2 July 1948.
In 2018 I found Leslie and Marc. I also found Murray Halbfish (and his wife Gayle), who is the half-brother of Ann Rosenthal.
Avraham was the oldest son. Then Yitzhak, Bentzion, Miriam and Pinhas.
Images
Alon’s great grandfather Binyamin Zeev Petersilie
Invitation to Fradla’s Petersilie with Matityahu Hochgleben wedding
Passover Hagada belonged to Alon’s grandfather Pinhas Petersilie (printed in Warsaw in 1880)
Bentzion Petersilie
Bentzion Petersilie with the writer Joseph Lichtenbaum (a family relative, probably a cousin)
Miriam Petersilie (Halbfish)
Max Halbfish (Miriam’s husband) and his daughter Ann
Yitzhak Petersilie with his wife Frida and their daughters Pesia and Hannah
Yitzhak Petersilie with his mom Rachel and his daughter Hannah
Alon’s grandfather Pinhas Petersilie in the Polish army
Alon’s grandfather Pinhas in Warsaw
Alon’s grandfather Pinhas with Ann Rosenthal when she visited Israel in 1969
Alon’s grandfather Pihas with his mom Rachel and friends (probably picture was taken in Israel)
My name is Alon Tsur. I was born on 11 May 1975. My parents are Haim and Shoshana. I’m the youngest son.
My brothers are Elad and Dekel. Elad is married to Nurit Haspel, and they have a son Adam.
I served in the Israeli army from 1994 until 1997. After that, I studied Computer Science at Tel Aviv University from 1997 until 2001. Since 1997 I have been working as a programmer.
In 1998 I became interested in genealogy and found my mother’s relatives.
I volunteer as an English to Hebrew translator in MyHeritage website since 2020
After that I joined Jewish Genealogy Portal Facebook Group (and also Tracing the Tribe – Jewish Genealogy on Facebook). I’m trying to help people there (finding relatives in Israel, or helping with translating Hebrew to English)
I also found my wife as a result of a post in Genealogy Portal Facebook Group 🙂
Her name is Azka Daulia, from Indonesia. She wrote a curious post about possible connection between Judaism and Indonesia.
She came to Israel in October 2021 and we married in February 2022.
Images
Alon’s family – brother Dekel, dad Haim, brother Elad, mother Shoshana & AlonWife Azka and AlonWife Azka and Alon celebrating ChannukahWife Azka and Alon at homeWife Azka and Alon at the beach
This picture was taken around 1960 at the Beth Hamedrash HaGadol (Berele Chagi) shul. Do you recognise anyone there? I see Selwyn Feinblum, and Jossi Stern. These were most probably Doornfontein people.
I used to sing in the choir. Had my barmitzvah there as well. Rabbi Kossofsky was the rabbi. He was also the founder of Yeshivah College.
My photos of the Beit Hamidrash Hagadol, now University of Johannesburg, from Ishvara Dhyan’s walking tour of Doornfontein – 24 March 2016
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My photos of the Jewish Government School, from Ishvara Dhyan’s walking tour of Doornfontein – 24 March 2016
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Jewish government school 1959
Included in the photo is Benzie Pikoos and Mervyn Druker
Standard 1 Class of 1959 (Combined with Grade 2) Courtesy Alan Mymin
Each row L to R
Back Row: Cecil Goldstein. Jeffrey Epstein. Louis Potgieter. Benzie Pikoos. Mervyn Sherman. Reginald Rumney. Arnold Gossel.
3rd Row: Filip Nowydwor. Sylvio…………. Walter Allen. Mervyn Druker. Anthony Atkins.Tyrone Bevaud. Allan Bower. Alan Mymin.
2nd Row: Dawn Cohen. Avril Nino. Madeleine Mattis …………………Miss Shirley? Rabinowitz, Linda Shapiro. Jean Wiggil. Rene Altaris. Anita Goldstein.
Front Row: Steven (Moekie) Weiler. Calvin Fredericks. Denise Nauman. Cynthia Slutzki.Stella Botta. Denise……….. Jackie…………. Ralph Wingrove. Michael Marcus.
21 November 2021
I received a call from Ethne Epstein in Melbourne to tell me that the Harris of the Harris Camp in PE, was her grandfather, I. H. Harris from Johannesburg.
See more about Isadore Harris and Doornfontein here:
Education Several Jewish schools were built, and one, the Jewish Government School, now the IH Harris Primary School in Davies Street, Doornfontein, still goes strong. Yiddish used to be the only language heard in the playground. (City of Johannesburg – Jews mark 120 years)
From Ethne Epstein:
I don’t have very much information on the camps, but understand they took place in Port Elizabeth in the 1920’s and 1930’s. From what I understand there were no Jewish camps, and because my Grandfather Isadore Harris was the principal of the Jewish Government School in Doornfontein, he arranged camps for Jewish families from Johannesburg during the December holidays. Exactly where in Port Elizabeth I have no idea.
They were all in tents close to the beach.
In 1966 Jewish Government was renamed the I H Harris Primary school.
A photo I have is of my Granny Minnie Harris with two of the sons, Kenny and Denny. My late Dad is on the left.
Alan who is sitting on the car is the an older brother.
I am not sure if this is another photo from camp or when my Dad was in the army. Although some of the guys were smoking it looks similar surroundings
Warm Regards
Ethne
————–
Previously from Gil Friedstein, Israel on 9 October 2021
Port Elizabeth, South Africa – mid 1920s
Harris Camp – Billy, Sidney and Hilda (1st row)
Gil Friedstein is happy to share his grandparents’ holiday photos from Port Elizabeth sometime in the mid 1920s.
All the photos (exept for the last one) were taken at Harris Camp and Gil will be most thankful for any information referring to this place gil.friedstein@hotmail.com
Alan Harris must have been a member of the family that ran the camp, and the two group photos give us a pretty good idea as to the number families who came to the camp.
Alan Harris and friendsGranny, Hilda, Billy, Sidney and ElsieAlan HarrisHilda and BillyMrs Makin, Hilda, Billy and SidneyOupaHarris CampOupa, Granny, Hilda, Billy and the Rosenbergs at the beach
This picture was taken around 1960 at the Beth Hamedrash HaGadol (Berele Chagi) shul. Do you recognise anyone there? I see Selwyn Feinblum, and Jossi Stern. These were most probably Doornfontein people.
I used to sing in the choir. Had my barmitzvah there as well. Rabbi Kossofsky was the rabbi. He was also the founder of Yeshivah College.
My photos of the Beit Hamidrash Hagadol, now University of Johannesburg, from Ishvara Dhyan’s walking tour of Doornfontein – 24 March 2016
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
My photos of the Jewish Government School, from Ishvara Dhyan’s walking tour of Doornfontein – 24 March 2016
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Jewish government school 1959
Included in the photo is Benzie Pikoos and Mervyn Druker
Standard 1 Class of 1959 (Combined with Grade 2) Courtesy Alan Mymin
Each row L to R
Back Row: Cecil Goldstein. Jeffrey Epstein. Louis Potgieter. Benzie Pikoos. Mervyn Sherman. Reginald Rumney. Arnold Gossel.
3rd Row: Filip Nowydwor. Sylvio…………. Walter Allen. Mervyn Druker. Anthony Atkins.Tyrone Bevaud. Allan Bower. Alan Mymin.
2nd Row: Dawn Cohen. Avril Nino. Madeleine Mattis …………………Miss Shirley? Rabinowitz, Linda Shapiro. Jean Wiggil. Rene Altaris. Anita Goldstein.
Front Row: Steven (Moekie) Weiler. Calvin Fredericks. Denise Nauman. Cynthia Slutzki.Stella Botta. Denise……….. Jackie…………. Ralph Wingrove. Michael Marcus.
21 November 2021
I received a call from Ethne Epstein in Melbourne to tell me that the Harris of the Harris Camp in PE, was her grandfather, I. H. Harris from Johannesburg.
See more about Isadore Harris and Doornfontein here:
Education Several Jewish schools were built, and one, the Jewish Government School, now the IH Harris Primary School in Davies Street, Doornfontein, still goes strong. Yiddish used to be the only language heard in the playground. (City of Johannesburg – Jews mark 120 years)
From Ethne Epstein:
I don’t have very much information on the camps, but understand they took place in Port Elizabeth in the 1920’s and 1930’s. From what I understand there were no Jewish camps, and because my Grandfather Isadore Harris was the principal of the Jewish Government School in Doornfontein, he arranged camps for Jewish families from Johannesburg during the December holidays. Exactly where in Port Elizabeth I have no idea.
They were all in tents close to the beach.
In 1966 Jewish Government was renamed the I H Harris Primary school.
A photo I have is of my Granny Minnie Harris with two of the sons, Kenny and Denny. My late Dad is on the left.
Alan who is sitting on the car is the an older brother.
I am not sure if this is another photo from camp or when my Dad was in the army. Although some of the guys were smoking it looks similar surroundings
Warm Regards
Ethne
————–
Previously from Gil Friedstein, Israel on 9 October 2021
Port Elizabeth, South Africa – mid 1920s
Harris Camp – Billy, Sidney and Hilda (1st row)
Gil Friedstein is happy to share his grandparents’ holiday photos from Port Elizabeth sometime in the mid 1920s.
All the photos (exept for the last one) were taken at Harris Camp and Gil will be most thankful for any information referring to this place gil.friedstein@hotmail.com
Alan Harris must have been a member of the family that ran the camp, and the two group photos give us a pretty good idea as to the number families who came to the camp.
Alan Harris and friendsGranny, Hilda, Billy, Sidney and ElsieAlan HarrisHilda and BillyMrs Makin, Hilda, Billy and SidneyOupaHarris CampOupa, Granny, Hilda, Billy and the Rosenbergs at the beach
I have received a call from Ethne Epstein in Melbourne to tell me that the Harris of the Harris Camp in PE, was her grandfather, I. H. Harris from Johannesburg.
See more about Isadore Harris here:
https://elirab.me/jewish-doornfontein-part-4/
The Jewish Government School
Education Several Jewish schools were built, and one, the Jewish Government School, now the IH Harris Primary School in Davies Street, Doornfontein, still goes strong. Yiddish used to be the only language heard in the playground. (City of Johannesburg – Jews mark 120 years)
From Ethne Epstein:
I don’t have very much information on the camps, but understand they took place in Port Elizabeth in the 1920’s and 1930’s. From what I understand there were no Jewish camps, and because my Grandfather Isadore Harris was the principal of the Jewish Government School in Doornfontein, he arranged camps for Jewish families from Johannesburg during the December holidays. Exactly where in Port Elizabeth I have no idea.
They were all in tents close to the beach.
In 1966 Jewish Government was renamed the I H Harris Primary school.
A photo I have is of my Granny Minnie Harris with two of the sons, Kenny and Denny. My late Dad is on the left.
Alan who is sitting on the car is the an older brother.
I am not sure if this is another photo from camp or when my Dad was in the army. Although some of the guys were smoking it looks similar surroundings
Warm Regards
Ethne
————–
Previously from Gil Friedstein, Israel
Port Elizabeth, South Africa – mid 1920s
Harris Camp – Billy, Sidney and Hilda (1st row)
Gil Friedstein is happy to share his grandparents’ holiday photos from Port Elizabeth sometime in the mid 1920s.
All the photos (exept for the last one) were taken at Harris Camp and Gil will be most thankful for any information referring to this place gil.friedstein@hotmail.com
Alan Harris must have been a member of the family that ran the camp, and the two group photos give us a pretty good idea as to the number families who came to the camp.
Alan Harris and friendsGranny, Hilda, Billy, Sidney and ElsieAlan HarrisHilda and BillyMrs Makin, Hilda, Billy and SidneyOupaHarris CampOupa, Granny, Hilda, Billy and the Rosenbergs at the beach
On September 23, the City-Municipal Public Library in Nasielsko began a series of library lessons about autumn. On the first day of the autumn calendar, class 3 a came to us with the teacher Mrs. Justyna Jankowska from Primary School No. 1 in Nasielsko. At the beginning of the meeting, we talked about the first signs of fall and changes happening in nature. Children also learned about how animals are preparing for fall and which ones are stocking up for winter. We also talked a lot about birds, those that fly away from us, those that stay with us for the winter, and those bird species that fly into our country to spend the winter with us. Students also learned the concepts: golden polish autumn, mushrooming and migratory birds.
During a library lesson, the librarian ladies read a poem titled to children. ′′ Babie summer ′′ by W ładadys ław Broniewski, Maria Konopnicka’s ′′ Autumn ′′ by J ózef Chechowicz, Dorota Gellner’s ′′ Autumn walk ′′ and also ′′ About Helena Bechlerowa’s hedge and chestnuts Next, it was time for puzzles and movement games in mimicking animals and atmospheric phenomena, which often accompany Polish golden autumn. Then our nice guests took part in the natural knowledge tournament. The answers to the questions asked didn’t give children much trouble. Each participant received a colorful lesson plan as a reward.
At the end of the meeting, students received an electronic library card, which turned out to be quite an attraction for them. We hope that with the books they rented that day, the autumn s’ rage, short and cloudy days will be warmer and happier.
https://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/nasielsk