About Partners Education Contributors

The Leo Baeck Institute – New York | Berlin presents the year 1938 through the eyes of Jews, whose personal documents detail their experiences and the hardships they suffered as well as the growing tensions in Europe and diminishing hope for Jews in Germany and Austria.

Curated by Leo Baeck Institute – New York | Berlin

Website and exhibition design by C&G Partners

8

TUESDAY

Political and other earthquakes

A child's perspective

“How lucky I've already started my diary! We do live in interesting times!”

Vienna

Days after his 12th birthday on April 15th, 1938, Harry Kranner, along with all his Jewish schoolmates, had been expelled from the Kandlgasse Realgymnasium in Vienna. By November, Harry’s mother, Gertrude, and his stepfather, Emil Fichmann, were making preparations for emigration. Harry shows great excitement about the prospect of traveling and the various pieces of equipment he’ll receive. In the November 8th entry in his new diary, given to him by his mother for the purpose of recording his emigration experience, he enthusiastically reports about his new leather gloves. But the bulk of the entry is concerned with the strong earthquake the night before.

TAGS: ANSCHLUSS, ANTISEMITISM, CHILDREN, COMMENTARY, DIARY, EMIGRATION, EXPULSION, FAMILY, NOVEMBER 8, SCHOOLS, VIENNA