Schindler's List: New documents reveal the fate of 1,000 Jews

Schindler's List: New documents reveal the fate of 1,000 Jews

More than 1,000 names on 19 pages – this is the heartbeat of one of the most moving stories of the Second World War. This list, known as “Schindler's List,” includes the names of Jews who were saved from certain death in concentration camps through the tireless efforts of Sudeten German manufacturer Oskar Schindler. Schindler once produced war paraphernalia in his German enamelware factory in Kraków, but as Nazi violence progressed, his business venture transformed into a rescue mission.

The story of Oskar Schindler gained worldwide fame after the release of Steven Spielberg's film of the same name in 1993. However, the narrative of humanity and contradiction is not yet fully told. Fuel for this narrative came in 1999, when a treasure chest full of documents from Schindler's estate, including a version of the famous list, was found in a Hildesheim attic. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Oskar Schindler's death, the Federal Archives have now set up an online focus to shed light on this important story.

An entrepreneur under the National Socialists

Oskar Schindler, a career-conscious man born in 1908, joined the National Socialists at the beginning of the war - a decision that led him to the German-occupied areas of Poland. With the firm goal of making a profit, he leased a factory near Krakow where he manufactured products for the Wehrmacht. He sent many disenfranchised Polish Jews to his factory as cheap labor. However, they would soon become more than just labor for war purposes.

As Jews in the region increasingly suffered under pressure from the Nazi occupiers, Schindler began to change his philosophy. He could no longer ignore the brutal arrests and deportations. For this reason, he set up accommodation for his Jewish workers to save them from the fate of the concentration camps. Schindler convinced his employees that they were indispensable for production reasons and eventually hired more and more Jews.

Saving thousands of lives

As the situation continued to deteriorate, he managed to add as many as 1,100 people to his list. At the end of the war, as the Soviet army approached, Schindler had his factory moved to the Sudetenland. Despite heated arguments with the Nazi authorities, who put him under increasing pressure, he managed to take his protégés with him. Together with his wife Emilie, he also took in a group of Jewish forced laborers who had escaped from Auschwitz. This initiative saved hundreds of lives that would otherwise have been condemned to death.

After the end of the war and Germany's surrender, life for Schindler and his wife took on different dimensions. Although their survival was assured, they lost almost everything and struggled financially to survive. Although Oskar Schindler received support from the survivors he rescued, he never regained the economic success of his earlier days. In 1962, he was awarded the title of Righteous Among the Nations in Israel - an award given to people who helped Jews during the Holocaust.

Schindler's eventful history also provides complex human facets. Michel Friedman, a publicist and son of “Schindler Jews,” portrayed Schindler as a simple man, not an intellectual and morally questionable. He drank heavily and had numerous relationships, but despite these less than ideal characteristics, Schindler demonstrated a remarkable ability to practice humanity in extreme circumstances. “It’s remarkable,” said Friedman, “that he stood up for others in the face of horror.”

Oskar Schindler died in 1974 and in the years that followed, his documents and the list were passed on several times. The estate documents were secured in the Federal Archives and found their way to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. From there, an original copy of the famous list found its way into the Koblenz archives. These documents represent more than just names; they represent lives, destinies and the tireless hope for salvation during the darkest times in human history.

The suitcase containing Schindler's historical documents and pictures illustrates the scope of his work. These also include children's drawings by former Jewish workers that point out touching things and show the connection between Schindler and the people he saved. For example, one child painted a heart with the words: “To Mr. Schindler, with love, Debbie.” These messages reflect gratitude and a deep humanity that flourished in the shadow of war.

For those interested, the Federal Archives not only offers the opportunity to delve into the history of the “Schindler Jews,” but also to explore the influence of a man whose actions consisted of daring the impossible – saving people in a time of extreme barbarism. Oskar Schindler's contribution remains timeless today and places a moral obligation on us to fight for the lives of others and stand up for justice, no matter where in the world.

Some of the information about this important and moving story can be found in the Federal Archives' online offering, where further details and the backgrounds of those rescued can be explored: www.juedische- Allgemeine.de.