Axelrad Family Collection
Scope and Content Note
The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence and photos. The voluminous correspondence saved by the Axelrads mostly deals with professional elaborations between former colleagues and friends, who had scattered to the farthest corners of the globe to escape the Hitler regime and so we have letters (to or from) Australia, South-America, Palestine, and of course the United States. In some instances we gain a faithly accurate picture of the living conditions in the countries of exile. Remarkably well drawn are the descriptions of Marseille, Cuba (both by Alice Laqueur), of Palestine, and most noteworthy, the odyssee of Leontine Axelrad.
The following individuals are mentioned in this collection: Axelrad, Felix; Axelrad, Hedwig (nee Traub), 1907-1999; Axelrad, Leontine; Axelrad, Ron (1952-1999); Choper, Eva (nee Axelrad); Laqueur, Alice
The following locations are mentioned in this collection: Austria; Australia; Belgrad; Berlin; Budapest; Cuba; Haifa; Havana; Istanbul; Israel; Marseille; New Brunswick; Oranienburg; Palestine; South-America; Vienna
Dates
- 1903-1997
Creator
- Axelrad family (Family)
Language of Materials
This collection is in German, English.
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
Felix Axelrad was born in Belgrade in 1903. After graduating as chemical engineer from the Technical University in Vienna, Felix Axelrad held various jobs in his field in Berlin, Budapest, Vienna, until he and his family found a temporary refuge in Istanbul (Turkey). From there they sailed to the US in the early 1940s. His mother Leontine reached the West coast of the United States after a most arduous journey starting in Turkey via Bagdad to the Philippines. Felix Axelrad found employment in his field shortly after his arrival. The family finally settled in New Brunswick where both of their children: Eva (born in Vienna) and Ronald (Ron, born in 1952, died in 1999, archivist at the Leo Baeck Institute) grew up. Felix Axelrad must have been successful in his professional career and gained satisfaction from his good fortune in his new home. In his later years (after retirement) he indulged in his life-long hobby, photography. One entire Box of the collection is filled with photo negatives.
Felix wife Hedi (nee Traub) survived her husband by many years and passed away in 1999 shortly before her son Ronald (Ron) had succumbed to a long standing ailment.
Extent
2.5 Linear Feet (5 boxes)
Abstract
The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence and photos. The voluminous correspondence saved by the Axelrads mostly deals with professional elaborations between former colleagues and friends, who had scattered to the farthest corners of the globe to escape the Hitler regime and so we have letters (to or from) Australia, South-America, Palestine, and of course the United States. In some instances we gain a faithly accurate picture of the living conditions in the countries of exile. Remarkably well drawn are the descriptions of Marseille, Cuba (both by Alice Laqueur), of Palestine, and most noteworthy, the odyssee of Leontine Axelrad.
Other Finding Aid
Inventory in file
Microfilm
Collection is available on 3 reels of microfilm (MF 872).
Separated Material
Photographs have been removed to the LBI Photograph Collection.
- Title
- Guide to the Axelrad Family Collection, 1903-1997 AR 25003 / MF 872
- 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
- November 07, 2014 : Links to digital objects for Boxes 1-2 added in Container List.
- February 23, 2015 : Links to digital objects for Boxes 3-4 added in Container List.
Repository Details
Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository
