This sculpture reminds me of the Kindertransport and my own experience. Little suitcases, the only things we were allowed to bring when we came from Germany to England. Before the war my father had this on his desk with a matching sculpture of a little girl. I remember our apartment very well and I think he used them as paperweights. I have a twin sister, and after Kristallnacht we were sent away by my parents as part of the Kindertransport. My sister and I were separated in England, and I did not see her for 6 years. We were 10 years old when we left. My sister went back to Germany many years ago and got this sculpture from an aunt and brought it back. This aunt survived because she was married to a Gentile. When the Nazis broke into our apartment they stole everything that was of value. My parents could never go back to the apartment once my sister and I left. I don’t know where my parents went then even to this very day, but I know where they finally ended up: murdered by the Nazis. They were in concentration camps, the two of them including Theresienstadt. My sister and I eventually immigrated to the United States in 1946 with another aunt and uncle who found us after the war. 

– George

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant