Grumach, Renate.

The Jewish educator and writer Meier Spanier was born in Wunstorf, Lower Saxony in 1864. 1900-1911 he was headmaster of the Jewish teachers seminary in Muenster, before moving to Berlin, where he was the director of a Jewish girls’ school. In 1942 he committed suicide to escape deportation. Meier Spanier had one son, the dentist Hans Lothar Spanier.

From the guide to the Meier Spanier Collection., (Leo Baeck Institute Archives)

Nathan Josephsohn was born in Christburg (East-Prussia) on July 17th 1840 and died in Königsberg on September 18, 1916. He was married to Martha Valentin and worked as a merchant in Königsberg. The couple had a son, Felix Josephsohn, who was born in Königsberg (East-Prussia) on September 28, 1887, and three daughters, Celly, Helene, and Vally (b. 1894).

From 1915 until the end of 1917, Felix Josephson served in the German Army (infantry). Afterwards, from 1917 to 1938, he held different jobs in Berlin and Königsberg. In November and December of 1938 he was interned in concentration camp Sachsenhausen. He received an entry permit for Shanghai in 1940. It is unclear if he managed to immigrate to Shanghai.

Nathan Josephsohn's daughter, Celly Josephson, was married to Arthur Grodzin (b. 1887). The couple had one son, Günther, born in 1923. Celly died in 1932. Arthur Grodzin immigrated to England in 1939, and Felix Josephson became the guardian of his nephew Günther.

Celly's sister, Vally Josephson, was married to Paul Baumann (d. 1932). The couple had a son, Werner, born in Berlin in 1915.

Max Laboschin was born in Berlin on April 29, 1893. He worked as a sculptor and draftsman for different companies in Berlin, as well as a handicrafts teacher.

Dr. Jakob May was born in Mayen (Rhineland) on November 19, 1890. He married Alice Eschelbacher. The couple had a daughter, Sibille May born in Cologne on June 2, 1929, who immigrated to England in 1939.

From the guide to the Renate Grumach Collection, 1764-1943, bulk 1933-1943, (Leo Baeck Institute)