The Significance of a 1938 Passover Order Form

An order form for Passover 1938.

A Glimpse into Jewish Life Before the Storm

At first glance, this slip of paper may seem insignificant. However, it is a 1938 Passover order form from the Hermann Rieder company in Mannheim. Customers could select a variety of items: sugar, tea, chocolate, matzos, wine, and even kosher soap. This order form represents the last Passover before Kristallnacht.

In November 1938, Nazi gangs set synagogues ablaze. Mobs looted Jewish shops and assaulted or murdered their owners. The atmosphere was charged with fear and uncertainty.

The Role of Hermann Rieder in the Community

In the years leading up to Kristallnacht, the Hermann Rieder store was central to Mannheim’s Jewish community. It provided families with everything they needed for a ritually pure Passover meal. This was especially important as Jewish life faced increasing threats.

Cecile Daube: A Resilient Leader

At the time, Cecile (Cilli) Daube (née Cohn, 1893–1986) led the business. She was married to David Daube, who tragically did not survive the war. He likely died in an institution in 1940, possibly murdered by the Nazis.

Despite the horrors surrounding her, Cilli managed to escape with her daughter, Eva. They fled through the Gurs camp in southern France and reached the United States in 1941. There, Cilli remarried fellow German émigré Henry Zatzkis and began anew. Her grandson, Lanny Zatzkis, mentions her in his bestselling memoir My Life Journey.

The Lasting Legacy of a Shopping List

This order form is more than just a shopping list. It serves as a rare and poignant reminder of Jewish life on the brink of destruction. Cilli Daube survived the war; her store did not. Yet, as long as this paper endures, this Jewish life will be remembered.

A Testament to Resilience

The story of Cecile Daube and her store highlights the resilience of the Jewish community during a dark period. The Hermann Rieder store was not just a place to shop; it was a hub of community life. Families gathered there, shared stories, and maintained traditions that would soon be threatened.

Preserving History

To understand the impact of such businesses, we must look at the broader context of Jewish life in pre-war Germany. The order form represents a time when Jewish culture thrived, even as it faced imminent danger.

Explore the full collection of rare pre-war German-Jewish business flyers, each a testament to lives lived, businesses run, and traditions upheld in the shadow of catastrophe.

Conclusion: Remembering the Past

In conclusion, the 1938 Passover order form from Hermann Rieder is a powerful symbol of a community that once was. It reminds us of the importance of remembering history. Each item on that list tells a story of resilience, loss, and survival.

As we reflect on these stories, we honor the lives that were disrupted and the traditions that were cherished. This order form is a small but significant piece of a larger narrative that must never be forgotten.