Meiry, Asher Benjamin

Oscar Meyer was born in Aachen, Germany on October 23, 1885 to Moses Meyer and his wife Henriette. Oscar worked as a self-employed businessman at the men’s clothing factory Heumann and Meyer. On April 9, 1923, he married Cypora (sometimes spelled Carola or Karola) Bendik (sometimes spelled Bendick), who was born February 12, 1902.

Their son Gerd Meyer was born in Essen on July 25, 1924, and their daughter Marya (sometimes spelled Marga) was born August 8, 1925. The family lived at 8 Ruthstrasse in Essen.

From 1933 until the family’s deportation, Oscar Meyer was arrested several times by the Gestapo. According to his Gestapo file, Meyer attempted to leave Germany for business in 1937 but was denied a visa.

Oscar was able to secure passage for his son Gerd to England in 1939, where Gerd completed his schooling and joined the British army to fight against Germany.

Oscar, Cypora, and Marya Meyer were deported to Poland on October 27, 1941 and were reportedly shot outside Łódź.

Gerd Meyer moved to Israel after the war and changed his name to Gad Meiry. He later immigrated to the United States. He eventually married and had a son, Asher Benjamin (sometimes spelled Benyamin, born July 1, 1961). Asher brought restitution claims on behalf of his grandfather Oscar Meyer in the early 2000s.

From the guide to the Oscar Meyer Family Collection, 1920-2001, bulk 1933-1943, (Leo Baeck Institute)