In the Sights of the SD and Gestapo

 

Germany, which triggered the refugee exodus, is not invited to the conference in Évian. The Jewish section of the SS Security Service (SD) and of the “Reichsstatthalter” in Vienna, however, allow representatives of the German and Austrian Jewish communities to take part in the refugee conference. There they are supposed to persuade public and private institutions to finance the emigration of Jews who have no money because their property and assets have been expropriated.

The executive director and a board member of the Reich Representation of Jews in Germany travel to Évian from Germany under the supervision of the SD, as do one representative each of the Palestine Office and the Hilfsverein der Juden in Deutschland, a Jewish welfare organization. The founders of a committee to organize Jewish emigration from Austria travel to Évian at the behest of the “Reichsstatthalter.” After their return to Berlin and Vienna, these representatives have to report to the Gestapo in depth about the conference both in writing and through interrogations.

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. Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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.

Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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. Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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.

Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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. Stadtarchiv Stuttgart, F 38928

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.

Stadtarchiv Stuttgart, F 38928

Paul Eppstein, ca. 1933  After returning from Paris and from Évian, Paul Eppstein is summoned by the Gestapo and interrogated extensively. Abendakademie Mannheim

Paul Eppstein, ca. 1933 

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

Abendakademie Mannheim

Reich Representation of Jews in Germany, foreword to the memorandum “Zur Konferenz von Evian” [On the Conference in Évian], July 1938 Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 127880

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

Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 127880

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. Photo: Max Fenichel / Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Wien, Pf42074C

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.

Photo: Max Fenichel / Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Wien, Pf42074C

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. Archiv der Universität Wien

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.

Archiv der Universität Wien

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. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

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.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

“The Duke’s specialist pleads for the Jews,” Daily Express, London, July 9, 1938  Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

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

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

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. Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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.

Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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. Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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.

Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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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. Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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.

Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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.

Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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. Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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.

Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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.

Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649

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. Stadtarchiv Stuttgart, F 38928

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.

Stadtarchiv Stuttgart, F 38928

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.

Stadtarchiv Stuttgart, F 38928

Paul Eppstein, ca. 1933  After returning from Paris and from Évian, Paul Eppstein is summoned by the Gestapo and interrogated extensively. Abendakademie Mannheim

Paul Eppstein, ca. 1933 

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

Abendakademie Mannheim

Paul Eppstein, ca. 1933 

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

Abendakademie Mannheim

Reich Representation of Jews in Germany, foreword to the memorandum “Zur Konferenz von Evian” [On the Conference in Évian], July 1938 Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 127880

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

Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 127880

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

Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 127880

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. Photo: Max Fenichel / Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Wien, Pf42074C

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.

Photo: Max Fenichel / Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Wien, Pf42074C

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.

Photo: Max Fenichel / Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Wien, Pf42074C

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. Archiv der Universität Wien

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.

Archiv der Universität Wien

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.

Archiv der Universität Wien

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. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

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.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

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.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

“The Duke’s specialist pleads for the Jews,” Daily Express, London, July 9, 1938  Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

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

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

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

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY

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. Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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.

Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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.

Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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. Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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.

Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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.

Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367

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. Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649
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. Rossiiskii Gosudarstvenni Voennyi Arkhiv, Moskwa, Nr. 500-1-649
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. Stadtarchiv Stuttgart, F 38928
Paul Eppstein, ca. 1933  After returning from Paris and from Évian, Paul Eppstein is summoned by the Gestapo and interrogated extensively. Abendakademie Mannheim
Reich Representation of Jews in Germany, foreword to the memorandum “Zur Konferenz von Evian” [On the Conference in Évian], July 1938 Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 127880
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. Photo: Max Fenichel / Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Wien, Pf42074C
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. Archiv der Universität Wien
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. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY
“The Duke’s specialist pleads for the Jews,” Daily Express, London, July 9, 1938  Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY
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. Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367
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. Auswärtiges Amt / Politisches Archiv, Berlin, R 99367