Merkblatt für Angestellte und Mitarbeiter der Israel. Kultusgemeinde Wien, die über behordlichen Auftrag für die Vorbereitung der Umsiedlungstransporte bereitgestellt warden [Leaflet for employees and co-workers of the Jewish Community of Vienna, who received a resettlement edict by order of the authorities]. [Vienna, 1941]. German.
The resettlement (Umsiedlung) plan was the code name given by the Nazis to the operation of deporting Jews out of the Reich to East Europe, mostly to concentration and extermination camps. On February 1, 1941 Adolf Eichmann informed Dr. Josef Loewenherz, head of the Vienna Jewish congregation, about the intention to carry out ten transports weekly, and asked him to supply a list of the sick, elderly and welfare reliant persons. The Jews of Vienna were ordered to gather the candidates for deportation in a certain meeting point, and supply food to last until the date of their deportation. Between February 15 and March 12, 1941, about 5,000 Jews were deported from Vienna to the region of Kielce, and from there were transferred to Belzec and Chlemno extermination camps.
This leaflet, typewritten and stenciled, contains directions for Jews who were "chosen" to participate in the plan. The directions are written in a deceptive manner aiming at describing the transfers as a "service" for work and occupation purposes. Among others, the directions refer to the meeting point and the dates of transfer (referred to in the leaflet as "services"); receipt of a new identity card (referred to as a "business card"); the few belongings that the deportees were allowed to take with them (referred to as "recommended equipment prior to departure") – clothes, shoes, small ovens and tools; prohibition to participate in meals or ask visitors and family for food prior to departure; total obedience to the people in charge; grouping the deportees by age and physical condition; and more.
[1] leaf, approx. 30 X 21 cm. Good condition. Folding marks (slight). Some stains and tears at margins.