Schulim Schatzberg: personal papers

This collection contains the personal papers of Schulim Schatzberg, a Jewish dentist from Vienna who was forced to emigrate with his family to England in 1939 as he was persecuted for being Jewish.

Included are papers relating to his military service in the First World War, qualifications and work references, marriage certificate, certificate of residence ('Heimatschein'), letter from the Office of the Reichsminister of the Interior imposing restrictions on him practising dentistry, copy of a letter sent from Dachau concentration camp, and photographs of Schatzberg as soldier and practising dentist. Also included is a school notebook of his daughter Stella (September 1938-3 July 1939) and a Viennese photographic tram travel permit (1922).

Schulim Schatzberg was born in Poland in 1896. He fought for the Austrian Empire in the First World War and was wounded in 1916. Schatzberg was honoured for his services with a bronze medal. He trained as a dentist at the University of Vienna. He and his wife, Mina Amalia (née Anstern), obtained Austrian citizenship in 1925. They had one daughter, Stella (born 1929). From October 1938 his work was restricted to Jewish patients only due to new antisemitic legislation. Stella had to change school as Jewish children were no longer allowed to attend public schools. After the November pogroms all of the doctors and dentists in Vienna were rounded up. Schatzberg was arrested and imprisoned at Dachau concentration camp. He was released in February 1939 upon proof of his merits during the First World War, on condition that he would leave the country immediately. Schatzberg was accepted by the Kitchener camp scheme and left Vienna in April 1939. He obtained a domestic visa for his wife and organised for a foster family for his daughter. Both followed him on 28 August 1939. Schatzberg continued practising dentistry in England. Stella's uncle, his wife and daughter were able to travel to America. Her grandmother however was deported to one of the death camps where she perished.

Chronological

See Wiener Library access conditions at: http://www.wienerlibrary.co.uk/usinglibrary/usingthelibrary.aspx

Donated by Gerald Curzon

2011/9

See also: unpublished memoirs of Stella Curzon, 'My early life: Vienna and after' (Unpub Mem 4354 and 4187); photographs in photo archive; and interview with Gerald Curzon held on audio server.