In the Sights of the SD and Gestapo

SD Central Office II-1 to SD leadership at SS-Senior District in Vienna, July 2, 1938, p. 1

The SS Security Service tries to use the Jewish representatives to influence the international refugee conference in Évian in the interests of Nazi policy toward the Jews. At this time, the Nazis’ goal is the complete expulsion of the Jewish population. For this reason, they want the liberal democracies in particular to be persuaded to take in Jewish refugees and to fund their emigration.

SD Central Office II-1 to SD leadership at SS-Senior District in Vienna, July 2, 1938, p. 2

The SS Security Service tries to use the Jewish representatives to influence the international refugee conference in Évian in the interests of Nazi policy toward the Jews. At this time, the Nazis’ goal is the complete expulsion of the Jewish population. For this reason, they want the liberal democracies in particular to be persuaded to take in Jewish refugees and to fund their emigration.

Otto Hirsch, ca. 1938

Under the supervision of the SD, Otto Hirsch, executive director of the Reich Representation of Jews in Germany, and Paul Eppstein, a member of its board, take part in a meeting of Jewish organizations in Paris at the end of June to prepare for the conference in Évian.

Paul Eppstein, ca. 1933 

After returning from Paris and from Évian, Paul Eppstein is summoned by the Gestapo and interrogated extensively.

Reich Representation of Jews in Germany, foreword to the memorandum “Zur Konferenz von Evian” [On the Conference in Évian], July 1938

Josef Löwenherz, 1936 

Physician Heinrich Neumann von Héthars, a famous ear specialist, and Josef Löwenherz, chair of the Jewish community in Vienna, are imprisoned days after the annexation of Austria. After their release, they join with businessman Berthold Storfer in June 1938 to found a Committee to organize Jewish Emigration from Austria, which also receives support from other prominent Jewish figures from the academic and business worlds.

Heinrich Neumann, Gemälde eines unbekannten Künstlers, 1939

Physician Heinrich Neumann von Héthars, a famous ear specialist, and Josef Löwenherz, chair of the Jewish community in Vienna, are imprisoned days after the annexation of Austria. After their release, they join with businessman Berthold Storfer in June 1938 to found a Committee to organize Jewish Emigration from Austria, which also receives support from other prominent Jewish figures from the academic and business worlds.

Myron C. Taylor‘s business card, with handwritten invitation for Prof. Neumann to a conference meeting

Because of Heinrich Neumann’s prominence, Myron C. Taylor permits him to take part in the conference sessions and representatives of other important countries also receive him at Évian.

“The Duke’s specialist pleads for the Jews,” Daily Express, London, July 9, 1938 

Gestapo to Foreign Office, April 19, 1939, p. 1/2

With a visa obtained by Taylor and with the approval of the Gestapo and the SD, Neumann travels to the United States in summer 1939 to raise money for Jewish emigration. He dies on November 6, 1939, in New York City.

Gestapo to Foreign Office, April 19, 1939, p. 2/2

With a visa obtained by Taylor and with the approval of the Gestapo and the SD, Neumann travels to the United States in summer 1939 to raise money for Jewish emigration. He dies on November 6, 1939, in New York City.