Ella Weil

Birth record: PRAHA - matriky narozených (registers of births) 2580 N 1910 dívky (i) (6/22)

Herbert’s letter:

   Terezín, October 27, 1944

My dear Elly,
Our father was arrested on September 6, 1941, and on November 11, 1941, he died. He was an honorable, good man. The last message he sent me, saying that he was all right, was delivered to me here last year by someone who had shared his suffering. Our tatinek [daddy] lived up to his obligations, but his actions were not reciprocated.
Since 1939, filled with ideals, I have worked hard to fulfill my obligations to those who, like me, faced persecution and oppression. I regret that I will never be able to describe what I experienced and what I saw. I ask one thing of you: do believe that everything you will hear is true. Nothing that you will hear can compare with what I knew about and witnessed. My participation in these events has always been impartial and honest.
Except for our father, up until today, thank God, I was able to save our whole family from the terrible fate that befell tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, maybe millions. Tomorrow, my family and the family of my Gerta must begin the journey that was taken by thousands before them. If God is merciful, they may survive these terrible times. Unfortunately, after tomorrow I will not be able to watch over them or help them anymore. I hope that there will be someone who will look after them. I hope that the good I have done in the past will be of some benefit to them.
Tomorrow I will leave, separately from the rest of my family. After tomorrow you will never hear from me again. I will vanish into the endless nothingness to join those who had to pay for what they knew and witnessed, while for many years the whole world watched with folded arms. We are at war, we are the enemies, and we have to know how to die like soldiers. In the next forty-eight hours, my fate will be sealed, and my wife Gerta’s as well. All I ask of you is to take care of our father’s grave and, if you should find us, to bury us next to him. Help our family and Gerta’s as much as you can. Help them forget. They will need your help.
Be well. I wish you and Max and Gretl much happiness. And never forget that what you will hear cannot be compared to the reality of what people had to live through.
Your Herbert