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Gabrielle Kaufmann Koppell Collection

 Collection
Identifier: AR 6182 / MF 925

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence, tax documents, manuscript about Palestine 1935; correspondence and documents related to the Kindertransport. The bulk of the collection consists of letters from Guenther und Werner Koppel, soldiers in World War I.

See inventory list.

Dates

  • 1905-1935
  • Majority of material found within 1915-1918

Creator

Language of Materials

This collection is in German.

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

Access Information

Collection is digitized. Follow the links in the Container List to access the digitized materials.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:

Leo Baeck Institute, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

email: lbaeck@lbi.cjh.org

Biographical Note

Gabriele Kaufmann-Koppel worked for a group called "Selbsthilfe juedischer Maedchen und Frauen aus Deutschland" in London, probably in 1933 and 1934. The group tried to help girls and young women who had emigrated from Germany. There were weekly meetings with discussion about politics, an information service, a career office, and other support structures.

In November 1934, she accompanied the first Kindertransport to New York and supervised children who had to be temporarily housed in the Hirsch Home in New York. Apparently she became very close to some of the children, so they wrote her to tell her about their new homes.

Unlike in Great Britain, where Kindertransport was backed by the government, children rescued through the United States were brought here privately and under strict immigration laws. Great Britain's effort spanned two years, but the effort to bring children to the US spanned more than a decade, from 1934 to 1945. Ranging from 14 months to 16 years old, the children - most of whom lost at least one parent - were brought to live with Jewish families until they could be reunited with relatives.

Extent

1.75 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

Abstract

Correspondence, tax documents, manuscript about Palestine 1935; correspondence and documents related to the Kindertransport. The bulk of the collection consists of letters from Guenther und Werner Koppel, soldiers in World War I.

Other Finding Aid

See inventory list

Microfilm

Collection is available on 3 reels of microfilm (MF 925).

  1. Reel 1: Aug. 1915-Aug. 1916
  2. Reel 2: Sept. 1916-Dec. 1917
  3. Reel 3: Jan. 1917-Sept. 1917
Title
Guide to the Gabrielle Kaufmann Koppell Collection, 1905-1935, (bulk 1915-1918) AR 6182 / MF 925
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by LBI Staff
Date
© 2010
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.

Revision Statements

  • April 26, 2013 : Links to digital objects added in Container List.

Repository Details

Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States