Herbert and Nancy Bernhard Collection

The collection does not contain material specifically related to the Bernhard family, but rather documents their interest and work as collectors. The collection is very eclectic, comprising a divergent selection of independent papers, artifacts and publications, from the early 19th to the mid-20th century. The majority of the material included pertains to different, unrelated individuals, represented by a bulk of immigration documents, vital records and correspondence. Some additional documents pertain to political discussions, others to religious themes. Overall, the historical contexts and topics range vastly, covering, among others, immigration to Argentina, cultural life in Germany and Austria, Zionism, as well as Jewish devotional traditions. A number of ephemera, such as concert tickets, graphics, vouchers or library cards, complement the collection.

Folder 1 contains letters by Viennese opera singer Emmy Tocca to her children who had just emigrated from Austria, 1939-1940. In her writing she expresses her deep concerns about the children's wellbeing, describes her working conditions in Vienna and discusses options for other family members to obtain visa.

The material in Folder 2 is composed by a diverse range of correspondence, such as letters, telegrams, and various envelopes. Covering mostly general greetings, congratulations and some immigration correspondence, this folder also contains a political letter by the German Jewish student union, 1923, which may be of particular interest to researchers.

Folder 3 consists of Jewish devotional material, including various Yahrzeit calendars, Omer counters, manuals, as well as a variety of scripture illustrations and book covers.

A number of various ephemera and some clippings are contained in Folder 4. Included are concert tickets, Notgeld, invitations, theatre programs, postcards and newspaper clippings.

Folder 5 contains documents pertaining to immigration to Argentina, including ship lists, landing permits, certificates, naturalization papers and some telegrams.

Folder 6 contains a variety of passports from Argentina, Austria and Israel.

Folder 7 contains a few smaller publications, most of which revolve around Zionist topics. Included is a political brochure by the National Religious Front, a collection of articles on Theodor Herzl and Hayim Nahman Bialik, as well as a pocket calendar published by the Zionist Union, Germany, which also contains a variety of articles.

Folder 8 includes vital records of various kinds, including birth certificates, school certificates, awards, marriage certificates, family registers, as well as divorce papers.

The collection mentions the following individuals: Berghausen, Martin (born 1898); Buki, Kurt M. (born 1892); Feilstenfeld, Anna; Feilstenfeld, Daniel Feilstenfeld, Bernhard; Feilstenfeld Alice; Flatauer, Curt; Herlinger, Max (born 1895); Herlinger, Erna (born 1897); Herlinger, Paul (born 1931); Kantorowicz, Mariana Brigida; Klebanski, Ana; Klebanski, Edith Herta; Klebanski, Gerda Irmgard; Kohn, Moritz (born 1853); Lempert, Erika (born 1932); Lewkowitz, Martin (born 1899); Loewenthal, Martha (born 1901); Mischelewitsch, Salomon (born 1876); Rosner, Feivel; Rosner, Gitel; Rudich, Josef (born 1868); Salm, Berta, 1852-1914; Sänger, Jacob; Schafran, Leonia (born 1904); Schwab, Fanny, 1836-1925; Schwarzfeld, Mendel Samuel; Schwarzfeld, Debora Lea; Tocca, Emmy; Weissberg, Israel; Werchauer, Ella (born 1864).