Diary that documents the first chapters in the life of Friedl, son of Greta and Sally Bruckmann from Nabburg in Bavaria

One of three diaries that document the first chapter of the lives of the children of Gerta and Sally (Samuel) Bruckmann from Nabburg in Bavaria. After an upsurge of anti-Semitism in their hometown, the Bruckmann family went to live with Gerta’s sister in Leipzig. Before they left, they packed their belongings and books, including the three diaries, and gave them to Christian friends of the family. The eldest son, Werner (Abraham), was sent to Eretz Israel with the “Youth Aliya” immigration program in 1934. During the war, Werner Bruckmann enlisted in the Jewish Brigade, returning to Germany as a soldier. When the war ended he went to the home of his family’s friends, who returned their property to him. From the diaries and letters, Werner learned of his family’s hardships from the time of their deportation until contact with them was lost. At a certain point in time, the family was moved to the “Jewish House” in Leipzig, and in 1942 they were deported to the village of Belzyce in Poland. They continued to write to non-Jewish friends in Heidelberg, Germany through a Christian intermediary living in Belzyce, until the fall of 1942, when all contact with the Bruckmanns was lost. On 20 June 1942, a letter was received from the Bruckmann family describing the conditions in Poland: “Although it is June, the nights are very cold. We only have two blankets to cover the five of us and we are freezing. We lost our three backpacks…you must keep sending us things as long as the post office accepts packages. We could survive three days just from the profits of a dress... When it rains, and it rains often, it is cold and there is terrible mud. We need rubber boots for Waltraut… you would not recognize the little girl. She is quiet and sad. It hurts to see her small pale face. She often lies down because of the hunger, weakness and cold. There is just not enough food…” Sally and Gerta Bruckmann and their three children Friedl, Guenther and Waltraut were murdered in Poland.