Rosa Baumgarten

In 1924

Mom's Memories:

Janine Silberman: I don't know much about aunt Rosa's story. She had studied in Zurich, got a PhD in Chemistry, and then lived in Warsaw, was a High School science teacher.[1] Never got married, vague story of a romance, victim of WWI? I don't even know at which point she was hiding in Warsaw, I believe she originally was in the ghetto too. I feel guilty, because my mother and I both visited Rosa and Franka in the Tessin (where the Tramer's had a house then, which they later traded for the one outside Bern, which you knew) in the summer of 1949, and there must have been a number of conversations, yet I remember nothing. Too bad...

You also know that Aunt Rosa was hidden by gentiles in Warsaw and survived under the name Janina Ablerska. She came to live in Bern after the war, but her health was not good and she died in the early 50's[2]. She must have been in her early 60's.

Excerpts from Aunt Franka letter:

I have included the full letter with Aunt Franka's marriage as it is a lot more about her feelings about Tramer just before they got married.

Sent to Warsaw, Koszykowa 35 m.16, March 10, 1924:

My dear, I am writing to you under the impression of the letter I received from Fran. and I want to tell you one thing: congratulate yourself that you did not marry this man years ago, that you did not have any special dealings with him - because I think that you would be deeply, deeply unhappy.
...
You supposedly held a grudge against me for judging that scoundrel Wiener too weakly; I think Tr. may be just as scoundrelly in this "emotional" respect. He didn't do the exact same thing as W., but in his own way he did something that is just as worthy of spitting at me. I repeat to you once again - congratulate yourself for never getting close to that man, he would have torn you up to no good.
...
Rózia, while you are still free and can dream that you will find a man, it is not so bad for you. The worst thing is when what you find is nothing.

Teaching

Teachers and students at Zofja Kalecka Gimazjum, a private Jewish girls high school in Warsaw. The group pictured here is probably the graduating class of 1933.

The teachers seated in the second row are (left to right) Augusta Kalecka (Polish language and literature), A. Brandes (mathematics), Tadeusz Klimowicz (principal), Roza Baumgarten (German language and literature), Herman Kalecki (school owner), Stenia Majerowicz (physical education) and Michal Kalecki (school owner).

Registration document, September 24, 1945

Gives her birthday as September 27, 1885(?) Address as Koszykowa 35/16 in Warsaw, which if I understand markings is same address as she was at in 1939? Podkowa Leśna is a town very close to Warsaw.

See this article which mentions a Mrs. Ablerska as also being among those saved in Podkowa Leśna.

Envelope to Magdalena, January 7, 1946

We only have the envelope! She still uses her other name for her return address, which shows her still residing at Koszykowa 35/16 in Warsaw (as shown above).

Letter from Magdalena to Franka, October 23, 1946

Found in Aunt Franka's diary. Must have been a longer letter, as it seems to end mid-sentence and is not signed. Google translate from transcription of the Polish:

Dear Frania!

Today your letter from 21.X (in which there were 2 photographs and a letter from Rózia) arrived and I am writing to you right away so that you feel calm about what has happened so far. Believe me, Frania, I completely enter into your situation and think about it and sincerely regret this fatalism that weighs on each of us and so affects you. I know and have a feeling that there will be a big issue with Rózia now. If seven years ago I expressed my doubts to you whether it was right to bring Rózia to you, it was because "thinking soberly" (as you call it) I saw in it neither good for you nor for Rózia herself, who, after all, had some kind of corner in Warsaw (Klein, aber mein) and was the lady of her own garbage. Maybe today you understand more that I was only very objective and far-sighted. I also know Tr. and I know that the accumulation of our "gyxy" - does not suit him. But now there is a completely different constellation, because the war has destroyed everything. Today, Rózia's "corner" - is literally just a corner, and in addition this scanty circle of people a little closer (even those Fajgenbaumanns and even Fania with her husband and L.d.) has disappeared with the smoke of the fire... So how to transfer this idea that she has to return to these conditions?

On the other hand, her constant presence with you, her nervousness, her certain tactlessness (despite her heart of gold and dedication) must have unpleasant consequences and cause both you and her bitterness and reluctance. What kind of occupation can she fulfill in Switzerland (at her age and with her ailments) - is also räfselhafl to me. Living with you and being dependent on everyone... is a situation that cannot be transferred (her problem is your problem and that is why I understand her so well). Bring her here – it will come to the same thing, because she can no longer earn anything here (and they probably won’t let her in), it all comes down to not knowing the language. (Your suggestions, like …….. … ………. reading aloud etc. are also impossible because ……… from an Englishman à la loque won’t digest my “foreign” English pronunciation). Whoever already has money for a “dame de cesup.”, also requires a real English “dame”, they won’t even take me as a servant, because I’m too old. The only thing I can do personally in the matter of R. is to renounce your allowance in her favor. For those 100 fr per month, she can have her own room, for example, and not be with you all the time, thus falling less for ………. I can still sell some of my stuff and if that helps to solve the matter of R. even a little, then I will make that sacrifice with all my heart. I am writing this in a letter to you, but if you want, you can show this letter to R. In your letters, you constantly return to the issue of... Fela, whose affairs in the face of Rózia's situation and mine with Janka must be placed in the background. You write that when she came to you, she spoke of a divorce (sic!!) from her husband. She had already threatened you (and you me) with this in 1939! How many times have I told you then that it was blackmail on her part, to take pity on you, that as a Catholic he could not get a divorce at all, that at most he could separate, but he had to continue to support her. Do you really still come up with such things? We met here in 1941. One of the students from Lucca (I don't remember his last name, I think it was Vitali), said

Letter to Mom, June 23, 1950 [3]

Dear Jani,

Just under an hour before my “departure” to the hospital, where I had to go because of an illness that has not yet been diagnosed, your present came: the light blue Combinaison[4]. We argued with Aunt Franka whether it would be Fela or you would be the best friend - and I think I am the one who is right to thank you for it. I immediately recognized your masked writing on the envelope. Or maybe it wasn't specially made, just written in a hurry that your writing was difficult to see? - That's that. I really like the fabric and color of the Combi, whether it fits - that's another question, but I didn't have the head - we were in a hurry with Aunt Franka because the car was parked in front of the house. Now I am here in Tiefenau-Spital, where I like everything except how I feel about myself. I share a large, very modernly built and furnished room with a lady almost my age and pay 13 Fr. per day for it. Wladek F.'s [5] money was like a gift from God! I am glad that Tramers do not bear the costs of my illness and, if necessary, we will help with Wladek. Hope! [at the leaf margin] I'm happy that she is away, because you have to take the Solothurn train to the hospital. She had to walk again →

What am I missing? First to my 2 valve defects, the third was joined by the aortic valve defect (lucky that the heart only has 3 valves!). The unusual weakness […] [… ready] does not come from the heart (the last electrocardiogram does not confirm it!), But must be another reason. Man Dies The doctor treating me, head of this hospital, wants to carry out examinations here. So far, you've been doing different things with blood samples. I feel incredibly weak because the disease is making progress [...] and it is not being combated. - Tramers are already gone. Aunt Fr. has worked terribly and also experienced great emotions with her husband. There comes such a "portion" from me! →

Adr. Bern, Tiefenau-Spital, room 55 J. A.[6]

I have to confess to you that I have all I have forbidden known women to visit me, I want to finally have complete peace and this is achieved when I am here alone. I kiss you Rosa (?)

Berner Tagwacht, Volume 58, Number 196, 23 August 1950

Death Notice, Der Bund, Aug. 22, 1950

Der Bund, Band 101, Nummer 410, 3. September 1950

Die Tat, 8. September 1950

Death Notice and Obituaries

Notices

Deaths. Aug. 19. Ablerska, Janina Rosa, née Baumgarten, Doctor of Chemistry, widow of Ablerski, Marjan,[7] Doctor of Chemistry, Polish citizen, born 1886

Obituary notice

We lament the painful loss of our dear, kind sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousins and loyal friend.

Janina Rosa Ablerska-Baumgarten
Dr. chem.

The bereaved:

Julien Baumgarten, Paris, and son Pierre, New York[8]
Dr. Moritz and Franziska Tramer-Baumgarten, Bern
Prof. Dr. Gaetano and Felicia Campetti-Baumgarten, Lucca
Madeliene Jonas-Baumgarten, Manchester, and daughter Jeanine, Montreal[9]
Dr. Willi and Lina Aschkenasy, Florenz[10]
Families Wladyslaw Falencki and [Jrg.] Stefan Fay, New York[11]
Cremation: Wednesday, August 23, 10 a.m.

Der Bund[12]

Obituary

After a serious illness, Dr. chem. Janina Rosa Ablerska-Baumgarten from Warsaw. She played a role in the Polish resistance movement because she secretly taught children with unusual self-sacrifice, which was strictly forbidden by the occupation authorities. The Gestapo pursued her ceaselessly, hurriedly three times and managed to escape, once even when she was led to be shot with a group of women. This was only possible because of the great number of devoted and grateful devotees who came to her aid. She did not want to publish her adventurous experiences in order not to "reap fame and money from her suffering". She was given the name "genius of the heart", which she earned for her unparalleled social deeds. B - U.

Der Tat

Miss Dr . former Janina Rosa Ablerska-Baumgarten

In Bern, where she had been living for four years, Dr. chem. Janina Rosa Ablerska. Baumgarten. She played a role in the Polish resistance movement, in that, despite the persecution by the Gestapo with self-sacrifice throughout the war, she secretly taught children what was forbidden by the "occupying power". Three times, when she was captured, the persecuted woman managed to escape in an adventurous manner, once even when she was taken away with a group of women to be shot. Only the great love and admiration of those who knew her better and who were helpful to her made this possible. She did not want to write down and publish her experiences - she asked to see many things and took them in with her keen intellect - so as not, as she said, "to reap fame and money from her suffering". She earned the name "genius of the heart", which was attributed to her, through her extremely noble disposition and her deeds. E. K.

Notes:

See photograph below for U.S. Holocaust Museum, she was teaching German language and literature in 1933.
Mom misremembered, it was 1950.
Presumably last letter, as she died soon thereafter.
A "combinasion" appears to be type of pant suit (maybe onesie?).
If we didn't have the obituary, would not know who this is (see note 9).
As Mom noted, she went by the name Janina Ablerska in Warsaw. [I have found one reference to a "Mrs. Ablerska" in hiding, but nothing certainly connecting her. It is a very rare surname it seems.] See 6, below.
A mention that she was the widow of a "Marjan Ablerski"! Cannot find this surname anywhere, but it would support the "Mrs. Ablerska above (see footnote 5).
Her brother and nephew (Peter Stone).
Probably the only time we have something saying Mom lived in Montreal! But, that is where she was in August 1950.
Willy Aschkenasy was a first cousin, son of Flora Lubliner.
Wladyslaw Falencki is the person (see letter) who apparently helped pay for her hospitalization. Don't know who these "true friends" were. I thought maybe they had been Poles who had helped hide her in Warsaw, but I also see that Falencki may be a Jewish surname. Also curious that since they lived in New York, would have thought Mom might have wanted/needed to see them when she got there.
Two different Bern newspapers, but almost identical articles. Presumably fed by Aunt Franka.
From testimony noted at Polish Center for Holocaust Research from Stefania Halberstadt - Arkinowa, Testimony 301-5546, Jewish Historical Institute Archives:

Róża Baumgarten: German teacher at the secret classes in the ghetto in former junior high school bearing the name of Kalecka, after the war in Switzerland.

And then description of the school:

At the secret classes at the turn of 1939 and 1940 organized by Lyng and Halberstadt-Arkinowa, 27 students studied. Children studied 3 hours a day in the teachers' apartments. The classes were paid for monthly, attended by children from wealthy homes and 3 free from the yard. Later, students moved to secret classes at the former "Spójnia" gymnasium. The school issued matriculation exams, certificates in the ghetto, had stamps, forms, etc. Teachers were well paid. Kalecka's gymnasium issued matriculation exams in 1939/40, 1940/41 and 1941/42. There were cases when students took secret classes at the Polish gymnasium named after Queen Jadwiga. One student from Kalecka's classes passed her matriculation exam on the Polish side, because she doubted whether the one from the ghetto would be recognized after the war. The pre-war director of the gymnasium, Zofia Ringmanowa, was always present at the final exams in the ghetto.

Geni Data

Birth: October 22, 1885

Death: August 19, 1950 (64); Bern, Bern District, Bern, Switzerland

Immediate Family:

Daughter of Rafael Isek Ioachimow Baumgarten and Leonore Baumgarten
Sister of Israel Baumgarten; Jytta Baumgarten; Freidel Francisca Tramer; Felicias Baumgarten-Campetti and Mina Magdalena Jonas

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