Giessen students have recently delved into a forgotten chapter of Hessian history by creating a documentary that sheds light on how family businesses benefited from the sell-off of Jewish businesses during the Nazi era. The documentary, titled “The Heritage,” was produced by four students pursuing a master’s degree in journalism history at the Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU).
One of the stories highlighted in the documentary is that of Arthur Dreyfuss’ widow, Meta. Despite never receiving any compensation, Meta Dreyfuss, the former owner of the Salomon fashion house in Gießen, was deemed to have “passed away voluntarily” by the authorities after World War II. Meta Dreyfuss fled Germany and eventually died in the United States in 1971. The documentary aims to shed light on the victimization of families like the Dreyfuss’ by the National Socialists.
The students meticulously researched several examples to demonstrate the impact of the National Socialists’ terror on
How did the authorities justify labeling Meta Dreyfuss as having “passed away voluntarily” despite her fleeing Germany and eventually passing away in the United States?
Giessen students at the Justus Liebig University have embarked on a mission to uncover a forgotten chapter of Hessian history. Through their compelling documentary, “The Heritage,” these four aspiring journalists shed light on how family businesses thrived at the expense of Jewish businesses during the Nazi era.
One poignant narrative explored in the documentary revolves around Meta Dreyfuss, the widow of Arthur Dreyfuss. Despite being the former owner of the renowned Salomon fashion house in Gießen, Meta never received any compensation for the loss of her business. Shockingly, authorities after World War II labeled her as having “passed away voluntarily.” Fleeing Germany, Meta eventually passed away in the United States in 1971. Through the documentary, the students aim to expose the victimization experienced by families like the Dreyfuss’ under the National Socialists.
With meticulous research, the students bring to light several examples that illustrate the horrific impact of the National Socialists’ reign of terror. By delving into this forgotten history, the documentary captivates viewers and provides a deeper understanding of the injustices suffered by those affected by the sell-off of Jewish businesses during this dark period.
This documentary sheds light on the dark corners of history, unveiling the forgotten stories of Jewish businesses in Giessen during the Nazi era. It is crucial to uncover these truths to ensure that the lessons of the past are never forgotten, serving as a reminder to fight against discrimination and stand up for justice in our present times.