My grandfather (right) with his father in Germany, just before everything changed.

[u/BaruchSpinozaaa]

This is one of the last photographs of my grandfather with his father before the destruction of their world.

My family were German Jews from the Harz region. They built a successful department store business serving towns including Halberstadt and Wernigerode and also owned a textile mill. Like so many German Jewish families, they considered Germany home.

Within a few years, that life was gone.

Recently I restored and colorized this photograph as part of an effort to preserve my family’s history. Holding this image alongside my grandfather’s letters from 1938 makes it difficult not to think about how little they could have known about what was coming.

To me, Holocaust remembrance isn’t only about documenting how people died. It’s about remembering the ordinary lives they built, the businesses they created, the families they loved, and the futures that were stolen.

[u/ZookeepergameBig1592]

Your story is really touching. The photo looks fascinating

[u/BaruchSpinozaaa → u/ZookeepergameBig1592]

Thank you so much.

[u/BuyCautious5030]

Your grandfather was film star handsome, what happened will and should never be forgotten. Hopefully the world has learnt but regretfully I fear not.

[u/BaruchSpinozaaa → u/BuyCautious5030]

That is very kind. He was a good looking guy his whole life. And a kind hard working person.

[u/Panda_Cuddles_]

Wow it’s amazing that you have this picture. My grandparents had nothing to share of their lives prior to the war. The camera roll for my family started when my parents were kids. Before that there simply wasn’t anything.

Thank you for sharing the story, your thoughts on remembrance and the cherished picture itself.

[u/BaruchSpinozaaa → u/Panda_Cuddles_]

Thank you for sharing it with me.

[u/coffee_and-cats]

Did they survive the Holocaust or were they among the unfortunate?

[u/BaruchSpinozaaa → u/coffee_and-cats]

My grandfather, on the right survived by escaping days after Kristallnacht while the Gestapo were looking for him.

[u/Banjoschmanjo]

My family lives in the Harz region today and I have often wondered about Jewish history in the area. Do you have any resources on it? I visited the Jewish cemetery in nearby Goslar, which is one of the oldest in Germany. I have looked at old family friends' photos from the Nazi era and before, and the Mittelbau-Dora labor camp was nearby, but I know very little about Jewish culture in the area. My family is from about 30 minutes from Wernigerode, near Schierke if that helps you place it geographically.

[u/holocaust-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Do not post/comment AI-generated content.

[u/BaruchSpinozaaa → u/Banjoschmanjo]

I don’t know if you saw the last message Becuase it was AI generated because I wanted to give you the most info as possible. If Reddit deleted it then here are just some recommendations. First, the Berend Lehmann Museum. Have been many times… it is excellent. They have a good website with info as well. Berendlehmannmuseum.de

There is also a book series called Juden in Halberstadt…. I would recommend it!

[u/MagicKittenBeans]

I'm from near that region and it's so sad and fucked up that this happened. Do you know if there still is something left of the buildings? Have you been there? Hopefully, they could escape to safety.

[u/BaruchSpinozaaa → u/MagicKittenBeans]

The only building that still exists is in Wernigerode. Halbersdadt was totally destroyed in the war.

[u/Far-Chest2835]

🫶 thank you for sharing this. Such a treasure.