Karolina's Story
by Leonard L Dreifuss
(with an introduction and commentary by Pete Dreifuss)
One evenining around 1980, my dad, Len Dreifuss, and wrote a prologue to a short story about his mother, Carrie Hess Dreifuss. In retrospect, it was characteristic of my father, to write a prologue for such a story. I had previously observed him discard his own efforts that didn't meet his own standards. Like the time he ripped up a detailed pencil drawing of a tree he drafted for our synagogue's newspaper the was heralding the upcoming Tu b'Shevat festival. I was amazed to see him rip up what I saw as a framable portrait-grade rendering.
He liked the prologue he had written and followed it with the glowing tribute to his mother he envisioned. My dad wanted to leave us with an insight into history of Jewish life in Germany aroung the turn of the 20th century that he loved to relate. In particular he wanted the world to know just how much he idolized his mother. I don't think it was so much for my own family because he loved to talk about his mother's explanations to his own questions about why a young woman would leave her beloved country, parents, and eight siblings. Well before the story was written, Jeff and I knew from dad's stories that our paternal grandmother was not only a wonderful grandmother to us but an extraordinary person to our family throughout the world.
In the summer of 1999, Jeff and I followed up on dad’s exploration of the family history with our own research and visited the ancestral home of our DREIFUSS family principally in Altdorf and Schmieheim, Germany. It was a wonderful trip combined with a trip with Shelley and my daughters to visit her Parisian relatives and an excursion into Switzerland. But there was no time reserved for a visit to the ancestral home of my grandmother Carrie, as she was known in the United States.
In 2018 Shelley and I began talking about making a trip to Fulda, Germany and other nearby ancestral towns of the Hess family to honor Carrie. We presented the idea for a summer 2019 trip there to Jeff and Sue at what must have been Justin’s Bar Mitzvah and soon many of Carrie’s descendants wanted in as well.
We were glad to see the trip as a type of family reunion. The trip was expanded, planned and all set when COVID came along and forced us to indefinitely postpone the whole thing.
Now a few years have passed again and we’re ready to try again. The trip is now somewhat more focused than before and without Jeff and Sue. It also coincides by coincidence with an invitation to Fulda by the Lord Mayor of Fulda to descendants like us for a week to honor the former Jewish population of Fulda.
Dad’s story follows:
A Prologue
On a wet cold day in October 1977, at least 25 to 30 people assembled in a cemetery on Long Island. They did not come for a funeral; nor did they come to honor their mother or father. It was an anniversary of the passing of one never to be forgotten by those attending.
Prayers were said; stones were placed on the headstone. Then, one by one, they passed the gate where others stood because they could not enter. They were Kohnen but their eyes were fixed on the headstone:
KAROLINA HESS DREIFUSS
born March 19, 1884
died October 13, 1963
Karolina’s Story
THE FAMILY IN GERMANY
It was 1906 and Karolina was 22. Fulda was a small city, and life was pretty much laid out for her.
She had received a primary education in German and Hebrew, as well as an apprenticeship as a dressmaker. What else could a young German Jewish girl expect besides a small dowry and to marry a good orthodox Jewish boy! However, life for Karolina was more than just that. It was adventure, excitement and romance, and that is what leads me to the story of Karolina.
Karolina Hess was not the youngest, yet not the oldest. I guess she was somewhere in the middle of a family of ten children. Benedict, her father, was from the old school which dictated raising his family in a strict orthodox Jewish manner but at the same time, a strict German manner. The boys, of which there were five, were military mannered young men, trained in their various middle class trades, who served their military requirements for Jewish young men in Germany.
Josef, the oldest, was the business head of the family. He was 33 years old and had married Rosali Levi six years ago, after which time he started his own family: Karl in 1902, Elsbeth in 1905 and Meta was just delivered. For Josef, it was a good season for horse trading, and he was just beginning a fine large family.
The above photograph taken in Fulda ca. 1918-1920 showing Karolina's father Benedict Hess (2nd from left), her mother Betty Neumark Hess (3rd from left), her oldest brother Josef Hess (5th from left) and Josef's wife, Rosalie Levi Hess (4th from left). The young woman at left and man at right are believed to be Josef and Betty’s children but this cannot be confirmed. The location appears to be steps leading down to the Mall from the Fulda Orangerie.
In every Jewish family, one boy is proclaimed a scholar. This was the fate of Samuel. Samuel, 30 years old, was endowed with a beautiful voice. He was, therefore, claimed by the synagogue as teacher and cantor of the Fulda synagogue. Jenny Schuster made him a fine Jewish wife, and in 1902, a son was born, Siegfried.
Jettchen Hess was 3 years older than Karolina which left Karolina neither the oldest nor the youngest; she was just in the middle. Somehow, Karolina was always in the middle, and this is what she rebelled against.
Karolina seemed destined to be first in many ways, and only she could justify her rebellion. Why do my brothers have to wear such high boots which must be so highly polished? "Why is this chore left solely to the girls of the family? "Why am I restricted from meeting boys of my choice, regardless of what family he comes from or what my family feels his potential is? "
To say the least, Karolina was a fine picture of a young lady: Petite 5'1" with an hour-glass figure and a rosy complexion on a sensitive face. Her eyes were blue and her hair reached down to her 27" waist. She spent her days sewing and cooking, which she did because she visualized that she would soon be able to accomplish the impossible tasks which her mother could do, which was also expected of her.
Karolina could not discriminate in choosing her companions. She spoke and laughed with the (Goyem) Christians, and even danced with them at the festivals. This became a concern of Benedict. In fact, the small Jewish community began talking.
Karolina only became aware of this through her cousin, Fanny, who was closer to her than any one person and became her personal confidante. Fanny spoke to Karolina for hours upon hours about her letters to relatives in Amerika and about the personal freedom for all - the right to marry whomever they pleased, with or without dowry; the right to choose whatever trade they professed; and the chance for a wonderful, beautiful life.
"Karolina, do you know I have finally saved enough money for a trip to Amerika. I do wish you would go along since without you, I surely would not be brave enough to make the trip or stay in a strange land".
Karolina smiled and retorted, "Maybe somehow I can raise the passage money and we both would not have to worry because we have each other".
This was easier said than done since Karolina knew that money was a scarce item in the Hess household and a trip like that would be highly unlikely. Karolina approached Benedict, her father, with the idea of borrowing the money for the trip to Amerika with Fanny. Benedict refused vehemently, exclaiming, "Amerika is no place for a fine German Jewish girl to go." In desperation, Karolina went to her brother, Josef, and explained what this trip meant to her: a chance to build a new life; a grasp at adventure; and new experiences. Her brother listened but was worried only about one thing: the rumor that Karolina was seeing some goyem. Here was a chance to separate any ties she might have made to the Christian community. Josef opened his money box and pulled out enough money for passage, as well as something extra for living expenses until Karolina was able to get a position in America. Josef hugged Karolina; kissed her on the forehead; and said, "Good luck, Good Voyage!!"
THE OCEAN VOYAGE
It was the day before sailing, and the Hess household was a hub of activity. Benedict and Betty, Karolina's parents; Josef and his family; Samuel and his; next came Jettchen, Rebekka, Minna, Hirsch, Sara, Naftalie and Heineman. Karolina's cousin Fanny's family also joined the farewell and Samuel gave a benediction which left no dry eyes. Karolina's mother seemed to have a premonition that this would be the last she would see her daughter.
The train trip to the ship was exciting to the girls as this was their first time they were on a train and the beginning of a true adventure. Eventually, the ship landed at Hoboken New Jersey and immediately, the dream of the beautiful new land became a nightmare of open bars, cobblestone streets and the loud hawking of pushcart peddlers. They were met at the dock by Fanny's cousin who took them to Brooklyn where they stayed overnight in a small flat.
ARRIVAL IN AMERICA
Karolina told Fanny that her mother's cousin, Frau Stern, lived in New York City and that she had written her mother that she would have a place for Karolina to stay. Karolina found her way to Manhattan on Fifth Avenue where stood very imposing brownstone houses. Karolina was very pleased to see the cleanliness of the streets and houses on Fifth Avenue and made her way up to the entrance, traveling bags in each hand, tied with heavy string.
Frau Stern was in her late sixties and was a very proper looking lady who emanated good breeding and wealth, plus of course, the correct German attitude. Karolina introduced herself and Frau Stern greeted her, letting her know that she was expected.
LIFE UPON ARRIVAL
"Karolina, I am so happy to see you! How are your parents? Was the trip smooth? Come, I will take you to your room!"
Frau Stern opened the door, and they entered a small but neat room. The tall brass bed shone like a bright candlelight.
"Put down your bags and we'll sit downstairs, have a cup of coffee and talk."
Karolina followed Frau Stern down the stairs into a large kitchen where they sat down. Frau Stern put up a pot of coffee and began explaining the routine of the Stern household.
"Karolina, your room, which is at the top of the stairs, will be tidied up after you get up. The bed is to be made, the floor swept, the furniture dusted, and your dirty clothes taken down to be washed along with the other clothes you will wash. After that, you will clean all the other five bedrooms, scrub the bathroom, and then wash the kitchen floor. Then the windows are to be washed."
At that point, Karolina interrupted: "Frau Stern, I thought I came as a guest, not as a maid. I would gladly pay for my board and room and take care of any inconvenience I might create, but I intend to get a job on the outside and pay for my keep. With your permission, I take my leave and will return to my cousin Fanny's house." With that retort, Karolina marched up the stairs, repacked her bags, walked down the stairs, and looking straight ahead, marched out the front door.
Back in Brooklyn, Fanny and Karolina went job hunting and found little difficulty in finding work in a sweater factory at fair wages. For an immigrant girl, not familiar with the language, this was very exciting as she was earning her own money and she had never seen such a large factory. Fanny worked with her so that they were able to talk and laugh and meet new people.
THE GERMAN JEWISH COMMUNITY
In the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, the German Jewish community was large in 1906 and a single Jewish girl could meet many friends. Usually, the "get-togethers" they attended were arranged by the German Jewish community and when invited to parties, it was usually in a German Jewish home. However, it was somehow different than in Germany.
Karolina learned that the German Jewish community was not orthodox. There was a conservative temple and even a reform movement. In fact, some German Jews were Germans before being Jews. It was at one of these "get-togethers" that Karolina met Joe.
A flood of letters back and forth from and to Fulda filled the empty hours of the evening. Each letter from home seemed to be a pleading to return to the nest and assuring Karolina that while the experience was good and the adventure complete, her place was back in Germany. Karolina smiled and explained that "the life was new; the living hard; but that is what makes us strong! My greatest concern is for the family's health and good fortune."
Karolina was happy. It was 1906, and Karolina was 22. She had a fair command of the English language, had saved a few dollars, and enjoyed her menial job in the sweater factory. Her social life was busy as Karolina was a popular girl, but she had not met a man she would like to marry. This was before she met Joe.
KAROLINA MEETS JOE
Fanny and Karolina were invited to the Prager's house, who were cousins, to spend the evening. It was Sunday evening, which was the only time most families could entertain, especially the Pragers.
The Pragers were non-kosher butchers. This meant the store was open, not only five days a week, but also on Saturday, which was the longest day. This left Sunday as the only day for recreation.
Recreation meant the gathering of the clan (relatives) and inviting them for a big Sunday meal. After the meal, the men would retire to the dining room, for a game of pinochle or poker, while the women would gossip in the sitting room, and talk about their families. It was also a chance to do some matchmaking.
Joe Dreifuss worked as a butcher for Max Prager. He was of German Jewish extraction, but American born. However, more important, he was single. Joe was not the tall handsome type that Karolina had perhaps visualized, but he was clean-cut, mannerly and considerate, so that he did appeal to Karolina. For Joe, it was love at first site and in his eyes, she was the most beautiful girl he had ever met, so that he wanted that evening when he met her to be the first of a lifetime of evenings. After several months of courting Karolina, Joe realized that he was serious enough and for the first time, considered marriage.
Joe was 26 and had family obligations so that previously, nothing was important enough for him to want to share those responsibilities. Joe asked Karolina to meet his parents and to introduce her as his fiancée.
KAROLINA MEETS JOE'S FAMILY AND JOE'S FAMILY'S ATTITUDE TO A GREENHORN
Many things went through Karrie's mind (it now became "Karrie" because this was endearing to Joe). "How would Joe's family accept a "greenhorn" (which was the accepted term for an immigrant)? How was she to act before these Americans?" These questions were very important, since Karrie knew Joe spoke and understood very little German while she could only carry on a limited conversation in her broken English of two years learning.
Karrie first met Joe's mother, who welcomed her in perfect German. She was tall, erect and aristocratic looking, and Karrie could see the same tenderness and understanding in her that she saw in Joe. Joe's mother was Swiss born.
Joe's mother, Eugenie Bloch Dreifuss as she looked at the time
Joe's mother explained that her husband, Leopold, was upstairs in the bedroom and she would like to introduce Karrie to him. Leopold, Joe's father, was in bed, pale and weak, wracked in pain from colon cancer. It was the last time Karrie saw Joe's father.
It immediately occurred to Karrie that Joe was practically the sole support of the Dreifuss household, along with Sam Dreifuss, 23, who worked as a salesman, and Walter, 17, who did not work. Joe had five sisters still at home, and one married sister, Ida Schlesinger.
Karrie felt readily accepted by Joe's mother and was very comfortable. However, his sisters treated her shabbily or, to put it better, simply ignored her. Karrie knew she was going to marry Joe regardless of anything, since he was the only one for her, and on June 5, 1910, Karolina Hess married Isaac (Joe) Dreifuss. This was the last day Joe handed his entire pay envelope to his mother as he now transferred this to his wife. Joe never had the feel of an extra dollar in his pocket, but nevertheless, he was a very happy simple man.
On June 18, 1911, Beatrice was born,
On June 10, 1913, Jeanette was born, and
On September 20, 1916, Leonard was born.
Joe registered for World War I but was not called because of the support for three children. Letters between Karrie's family in Germany and her stopped. Meanwhile, Joe worked hard to support his growing family. He was never a big wage earner, and life was a constant struggle. He never knew a vacation; Karrie never knew rest from washing, cooking and making Joe's small salary stretch to feed a family of five.
The years following saw the advent of the radio, which replaced the phonograph; the refrigerator, which replaced the ice box and the emptying of water each evening; gas jets were replaced by electricity; talking pictures replaced the silent movies; we no longer looked up in amazement when hearing an airplane; nor did we hear "old clothes" in the streets. We enjoyed peace until the clouds of war descended upon us.
KAROLINA’S QUEST
Hitler had made living for Jews throughout Germany a nightmare and their only hope for survival was escape. The greatest hope for escape was the United States.
Escape for German Jews in 1937 meant securing visas from Stuttgart. To get a visa. they had to get permission from the United States testifying that they would not be a burden on the Government. This required a sworn statement and a bank account by a relative in the United States to back it up. They were then issued a number and were called as the quotas opened up.
Letters began flooding the United States from Jews in Germany searching for relatives in the States to give them a source of escape from Nazi Germany. Thirty years had passed since Karolina arrived in the United States – hard years which included a devastating depression starting in 1929, with Joe being out of work for most of those years. Jeanette and Beatrice were married and Leonard held a WPA job with the city of New York.
Not only did letters from Karolina’s family begin to arrive (from brothers, nieces and nephews, who never had kept in touch with her before) but also letters from complete strangers who by coincidence of a similar name, “Dreifuss” or “Dreyfuss”, thought they could be related, all requesting affidavits to come to the United States.
The situation was serious, and Karrie knew it. Affidavits were needed but with no money in the bank, how could she support any affidavit to make it stick. At that time, the only support of her family was Leonard, who was working on a work relief program.
Karrie was aware that if she could convince friends or relatives to sign support affidavits, her family in Germany would be able to emigrate to the United States, but these people would have to expose their bank accounts to support the affidavits. Knowing what we know now, and realizing how urgent the situation was, it is difficult to understand the attitudes of Jews who were approached by Karrie for support affidavits. Excuses such as “the German Jews were unkind to the Russian-Polish Jews during the pogroms, so why should I go out of my way to take the responsibility of their not becoming a public charge?” Also “German Jews forgot they were Jews, and now Hitler is reminding them, so why should I help them?”
I’m talking about Jews with money who, in each refusal, literally and actually killed another Jew! Hitler didn’t do it all himself.
Karrie did have people who listened. Beatrice’s in-laws had a business in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and they volunteered to sign several. Karrie had other good friends who came to her aid. With each letter which arrived, Karrie ran, wept and ranted, until an affidavit was signed and sent to Stuttgart.
One by one the refugees came, with no money, without direction and with little hope, their lives destroyed with their loved ones left behind. Karrie welcomed each refugee as they arrived and made her home the first for her refugee relatives. The Dreifuss home became a stopping off place for German refugees until we could give them orientation as to employment, customs and transportation, as well as a crash education in rudimentary English.
Leonard found himself with many different sleeping partners (male cousins) while others were placed in homes of friends. Karrie became now the familiar “Tante Karrie, who carried the burden, which eventually reached about thirty refugees. Tante Karrie often remarked, “I dreamed of returning to Germany for thirty years to see my family; instead, God saw to it that I would be here to receive my family in the United States.”
EPILOGUE
The years passed. Karolina was no longer young - she was tired - so tired! Of those relatives who received no affidavits, some were able to go to South America; others dispersed elsewhere, but most were lost to the holocaust.
The relatives Karrie brought over have never been a burden to this country; instead they became successful and outstanding citizens who were proud to be Americans.
On October 13, 1963, Karolina Hess Dreifuss passed away leaving a legacy of life and hope for those assembled at her grave site each year on the anniversary of her death.
I imagine even she knows that the lives one leaves behind is the hope for the future and one can only try to contribute a little. Karrie contributed a lot!
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50th Anniversary of Joe and Karrie Dreifuss 1960. Behind Joe and Carrie are (from left) Sidney and Jeanette (nee Dreifuss) Levine, Leonard and Ruth Dreifuss and Bea (nee Dreifuss) and Max Schechter.