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| Buby & Zayda's Wedding. From left: Mila Leffel, Izak Leffel, Pinchas Mendlowitz, and Ania Reinharz, of Geneva |
My Bubby and Zayda, Mila and Izak Leffel were married on Shushan Purim, Friday March 7, 1947 (15 Adar, 5707). According to my Uncle Sach, Mommy’s brother Psachia Leffel, Shushan Purim was a great day to be married. First, Shushan Purim is a festive day. Second, it takes place in Adar, the month that “was transformed for [the Jews] from mourning to joy” (Esther 9:22). Next, it was a Friday. In the past, Jewish weddings were regularly held on Fridays. The chupah ceremony was held before sunset, and the wedding reception, which started after nightfall, was a grand Shabbat meal for all (see Chabad.org).
But, was that the date recorded on their Ketubah?
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| Declaration of Marriage |
The replacement Ketubah was written in Hallein, Austria near the Salzburg Displaced Persons camp (Beth Israel). I also found a Sworn Declaration of Marriage (click to see text) dated November 17, 1949, which makes the date less erroneous. The Declaration confirmed that Izak and Mila were married on August 17, 1938 in Sanok, Poland and did not have their original marriage certificate. While the 1938 marriage date is incorrect, this may explain the date on the Ketubah.
For me, it's close enough on the dates…mystery solved!
Dena,
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure you have found. The wedding photo is precious. To have a photo of your grandmother is also amazing.
At this stage of life my generation has many questions left unanswered because we were not smart enough to ask when there was someone alive to answer.
Love, Aviva
How wonderful it is to see so many dear, lost faces. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that you are finding all these important documents. A day does not go by that I don't think of your mom. She was such as important and integral part of my life. We were all part a a little club. Knitting, speaking Yiddish, playing Mahjong, spending summers together in Clearview, going out to eat, eating Shabbos meals together, enjoying the pictures your mom always took at all of our smachot, are just some of the memories that I have. We all miss her and loved her very much. Hope to speak to you soon. Sheila Feit
ReplyDeleteI think it's really great what you're doing with the blog. FYI, the woman at right in the picture -- Salla Mendlowitz -- her name today is Ania Reinharz, of Geneva.
ReplyDeleteKol tuv,
David Mendlovic
David added:
DeleteAnia Reinharz, of Geneva. She's the daughter of Basha, Mila's older sister, and my father's sister. She's also Pinchas' (standing next to her) first cousin.
David, Thanks for the additional information! I've made the correction. It's great to collaborate on this!
Dena