Camps In Germany

Only 10% of the Jews of Korets (about 600-700) survived the Holocaust. After the war, they made their way west to Displaced Persons (DP) Camps in Europe, mostly to Austria and Germany, hoping to emigrate to Canada, Israel or the United States. Many spent several years in the camps, awaiting visas to their new homelands.

Wasseralfingen Displaced Persons Camp

Brief Overview and History
Photos and documents: General and Return to Life (US Holocaust Memorial Museum)
Demonstration in favor of opening the gates of the Land of Israel to Aliyah.
Organization for Rehabilitation through Training (ORT) School.

Sara Goralnik Shapiro

Sara Goralnik Shapiro, holding son, Mickey, who was born in the Wassalfingen DP Camp.

Ketubah for the Marriage of Asa (Ajzyk Szapiro) and Sara Goralnik Shapiro (Szapiro)

On the third day of the week [=Tuesday], the [illegible] day of the month of Tammuz, the year Five Thousand Seven Hundred and Six [=July ?, 1946] since the creation of the world, according to the manner in which we count here in the city of [Wallenburg?], the bridegroom, Isaac ben Rachmiel, made the following declaration to this woman, Sarah bat Avraham, Be my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel. I will work, honor, feed, and support you in the custom of Jewish men who work, honor, feed, and support their wives faithfully. I will give you the settlement of [illegible], which is due you according to Torah law, as well as your food, clothing, necessities of life, and conjugal needs, according to the universal custom.Ms. Sarah agreed, and became his wife. This dowry that she brought from her father’s house, whether in silver, gold, jewelry, clothing, home furnishings, or bedding, Mr. Isaac, our bridegroom, accepts as being worth 100 silver pieces (zekukim).Our bridegroom, Mr. Isaac, agreed, and, of his own accord, added an additional 100 silver pieces (zekukim) paralleling the above. The entire amount is then 200 silver pieces (zekukim).Mr. Isaac, our bridegroom, made this declaration: The obligation of this marriage contract (ketubah), this dowry, and this additional amount, I accept upon myself and upon my heirs after me. It can be paid from the entire best part of the property and possessions that I own under all the heavens, whether I own [this property] already, or will own it in the future. [It includes] both mortgageable property and non-mortgageable property. All of it shall be mortgaged and bound as security to pay this marriage contract, this dowry, and this additional amount. [it can be taken] from me, even from the shirt on my back, during my lifetime, and after my lifetime, from this day and forever.And the surety for all the obligations of this marriage contract (ketubah), dowry and the additional sum has been assumed by Mr. Isaac, the said groom, with the full obligation dictated by all documents of ketubot and additional sums due every daughter of Israel, executed in accordance with the enactment of our Sages, of blessed memory. It is not to be regarded as an indecisive contractual obligation nor as a stereotyped form.And we have completed the act of acquisition from Mr. Isaac ben Rachmiel, our bridegroom, to Ms. Sarah bat Avraham, regarding everything written and stated above, with an article that is fit for such a kinyan.And everything is valid and confirmed.Aryeh bar [illegible] WitnessYaakov Zvi bar Nisan Witness

Boruch (Buzia) Balaj, American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.), US Military Forces Deployed in Europe, Wasseralfingen Registration card.

Wetzlar Displaced Persons Camp

Camp (US Holocaust Memorial Museum)
Photo of entrance gate
Video of Jewish Life: United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRAA), Wetzlar, Germany, 06/14/1945 - 06/15/1945
Organization for Rehabilitation through Training (ORT)
Memorial assembly held in the Camp to commemorate the liberation of the concentration camps