Zbaraz, Poland

General

Zbaraz was a town in the Tarnopol district of Poland (today Ukraine). The Soviets took control of the town after the start of the war, pursuant to the pact between Hitler and Stalin. Refugees from German occupied Poland swelled the Jewish population to about 5,000. The Germans occupied the town on July 6, 1941. Until a ghetto was established in the autumn of 1942, a number of Jews were murdered or sent to forced labor camps. After the formation of the ghetto, large scale deportations began to the Belzec death camp. The ghetto was liquidated on June 8, 1943.

Postcard

Below are thumbnails of the front and back of a registered postcard from Stockholm, Sweden postmarked January 9, 1943. The card is from Sylvia Loewy (the German spelling for Levi) at the Hotel Excelsior in Stockholm and is addressed to Fritz Loewy, from Oslo, Norway, at Zbaraz Tarnopol Outskirts. The card bears chemical censor markings, numerator marking and a Zbaraz receiving postmark dated January 20, 1943. In October and November, 1942, the Jews of Oslo were rounded up by the Nazis and Norwegian police. All those captured were sent on three ships to Stettin. Apparently, Fritz was transferred to Zbaraz. It appears that Sylvia was able to escape from Norway to Stockholm. The message states "Dear Fritz, I like it here in Stockholm... I hope you are healthy... Maybe I will get a letter from you once... with greetings and kissed, Sylvia who loves you...". Please click on the thumbnail to see the full image, and then click your back key or "Postcard" in the left frame to return.

References

Spector, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Life Before and During the Holocaust, P. 1495

Museum of Tolerance On Line Learning Center

http://www.museumoffamilyhistory.com/hm-zbarazh-bd.htm

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/index.php?ModuleId=10005460

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