Spotlight Part 2: I.S.S.

Jason here again! The last blog, part one of the spotlight on the I.S.S. gave you a sense of the organization in 1939. Finding out more about the organization in general was a bit challenging. If you just search International Student Services, almost every college seems to have this organization as part of their school. I found a little bit about the larger organization from a couple resources that I'll share in this blog.

The ISS was actually an organization with its headquarters located in Geneva. The first section below is translated from the ISS-USA website (www.issa-usa.org) to give you a sense of the organization.

In 1926, when the USA Branch (ISS-USA) was founded, hundreds of thousands of people were fleeing from Europe for economic opportunities, to seek relief from the devastation caused by WWI, and to escape pograms and persecution. All were seeking a better life in the U.S. Many arrived in New York clutching their most precious possession, an address of a loved one.

ISS-USA was there to help the newly arriving (immigrants) find their family members, send money back to family still in Europe, and to help seek asylum for those fleeing political oppression. At the onset of WWII, ISS's vast network of offices throughout Europe once again proved itself as an invaluable resource.

When the U.S. Committee for the Care of European Children (USCOM) was established in 1940 to help evacuate children from the war zones, the Associate Director of ISS-USA set up and directed the Migration Division. Due in large part to ISS-USA's familiarity with immigration law, and its long standing working relationship with government officials, USCOM was successful in evacuating 3,500 children to the U.S., including over 800 Jewish children from Vichy, France. After the war, ISS-USA's expertise was once again put to good use, reuniting children separated from their families, and helping those in the U.S. find news of their European family members.

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, the work of ISS-USA continues to be essential in connecting families and children who have been separated by international borders.

The next section gives you a different perspective of the organization. The resource for the following information is an article “From Cooperation to Covert Action, The US Government and students, 1940-52” by Karen M. Paget from the book “The US Government, Citizen Groups and the Cold War: The State-Private Network” edited by Helen Laville.

The International Student Service (ISS), founded after the First World War, had developed a reputation for effective relief projects and a scrupulous avoidance of politics. Smith College professor Walter Kotschnig, an Austrian Quaker who in 1937 emigrated to the United States, had served as its General Secretary from 1925 to 1934. in an era that had not yet seen a demand by students for self-determination, it troubled few that adults ran the ISS-Geneva and its American affiliate.

By 1941 the well-funded ISS-US Committee had hired a dozen staff, including former ASU executives from the Socialist Student League for Industria Democracy, thirty-two year old Joe Lash and twenty-nine-year-old Molly Yard. It hosted frequent conferences, launched a student newspaper, Threshold, and established a leadership camp at the Roosevelts’ summer home in Campobello. In order to screen students for the summer programme, anthropologist Margaret Mead, an active member of the Committee for National Morale, designed a two-page application form. ISS-US Committee goals, described in a pamphlet (introduced by Eleanor Roosevelt), were twofold: to train student leaders in democratic process and for post-war work overseas.

According to this book, the organization factioned. One group wanted to be less “neutral,” and were more concerned about the national side of things (in the USA). The other faction, more concerned about the international wing, understood that by “stretching its neutralist norms” the ISS relief workers would be put in danger. The first group took over the New York office and eventually started the United States Student Assembly (USSA). That then shifted to become the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA). Finally, it shifted into the National Student Association (NSA). The other group found their substitute in an organization known as World Student Service Fund (WSSF). They incorporated themselves as the Student Service of America (SSA).

Spotlight Part 1: The I.S.S.

Hey All,
    This is Jason again! There were many organizations who were helping refugees throughout the 30's and 40's besides the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). In the last post, you saw a note from Robert Spivack, who is the secretary of an organization known as the International Student Service (ISS). I figured I would give you a glimpse into this organization with a two part spotlight. In this first one, we will look at an article from the New York Times from April 9, 1939 and what appears to be a promotional pamphlet, which I found as one document back and front in Jan Rosenbach's AFSC file. This will give you an idea of the work they were doing at this point in our story and Sarah will share her reflection on it below. In the next part of the spotlight, I will share a little more about the organization as a whole through my research. Enjoy!!

Transcription:

HAILS REFUGEE AID GIVEN TO STUDENTS

Robert G. Spivak Declares Philanthropy Has Already Brought Acceptances for 80

SCHOLARSHIPS BEING GIVEN

Already $54,000 Raised to Help Clothe, Feed, House Those Being Placed

American college students and administrations have demonstrated greater generosity toward student refugees from Germany and Central Europe than in any other philanthropic project they have undertaken since the World War. In making this statement yesterday, Robert G. Spivack, secretary of International Student Service, said that more than 100 colleges had provided nearly 130 scholarships for students recommended by International Student Service. Eighty students have already been accepted. Most of them began their studies last February. Many scholarship committees, including that of Harvard University, where eighteen awards are yet to be made, will meet this week.

The total value of the scholarships granted by administrations is $43,000. Nearly $54,000 additional has been raised by student bodies to help clothe, feed house and provide spending money for the refugees, Mr. Spivak stated. This money is being distributed by the local committees and not through the New York office of I.S.S.

"In many instances fraternities, sororities, churches and settlement houses have offered dormitory facilities," Mr. Spivak added. "In conformity with student traditions of volunteer work and self-sacrifice, the total administrative expenses of selecting, interviewing, recommending and placing student-refugees has been less than $5,000 for the fiscal year."

Old Foes Unite in Work

Of the students thus far accepted about 55 per cent are Jewish, 25 per cent Catholic and 20 per cent Protestant. Nearly every large university in the country is cooperating in the work, including Columbia, Harvard and Yale, and many smaller institutions such as Oberlin, Berea and Colby are doing their share. State-supported institutions including Wisconsin, California, Ohio State and Penn State have selected refugees. Women's colleges have been exceptionally generous , said Mr. Spivack, especially Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Vassar and Simmons.

   

Nearly every campus drive-the majority of them took place last November following outrages in Europe-was a reaction against some political development of German foreign policy, Mr. Spivak explained. He said that campus committees usually sprang up without any outside influence being exerted by I.S.S. or other refugee agencies. Students representing diverse viewpoints on campus peace activities such as the Student Christian Movement, the Newman Clubs, American Student Union and Quakers have minimized their differences to aid their persecuted fellow students abroad, Mr. Spivak added.

  

"Despite the unprecedented generosity of American students (similar activities have gone on at Cambridge, Oxford and other British universities), the whole problem of student-refugees cannot be met," he asserted.

Applications Exceed 5,000

"The number of applications to the Geneva and New York offices from from Germany and Czecho-slovakia alone is near 5,000. Additional requests in smaller numbers are coming from persecuted students in Italy, Rumania and Hungary. Because most countries have closed their doors, the bulk of the work is now being done in England and the United States.

In both countries it is unlikely that more than 500 students per year can be helped. They are selected on the basis of academic achievement, interest in extra curricular activities such as music, literature, sports and all-around personalities. It is worth noting that despite the serious sufferings and humiliations these refugees have undergone, their morale is generally high.

"The most difficult obstacle which I.S.S. must meet after a student has been recommended and accepted by a university is getting him to the United States. Although Protestant and Catholic students have had a fair degree of success in obtaining student visas, most Jewish students are unable to obtain them, since the German government stamps a 'J'  on their passports.

Only 15 Per Cent Are Women

"The average age ranges between 18 and 25, with nearly two-thirds of those students entering undergraduate schools. Women constitute only about 15 per cent of those accepted or applying. This is explained by the fact that fewer women attended European universities and that many do no prefer to continue their university studies. Very often they become nurses, act as governesses or are married.

"Students of the social sciences, domestic law, international politics and literature constitute the largest number of applicants. While these fields are overcrowded in American institutions, it has been schools offering liberal arts courses which have been most generous. With the notable exception of M.I.T., Carnegie Tech and Stevens Institute, few technical schools have opened their doors to refugees. Medical colleges are almost completely shut. About 20 per cent of the students enter the natural sciences and about 5 per cent go into agriculture, architecture, mathematics or astronomy.

"While all of the refugees are vigorous anti-Nazis, their political views reflect the many parties which formerly existed in Germany. Most have not participated in political affairs and are interested primarily in their studies.

"Organizations cooperating with the I.S.S. include the Institute for International Education, the National Coordinating Committee, the Intercollegiate Committee for Aid to Student Refugees, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Hillel Foundation and a number of national fraternities and student groups."

Transcription:

Since the article re-printed on the other side appeared in THE NEW YORK TIMES, International Student Service has helped 20 more students find refuge in American universities.

Some salient facts on the student-refugee work of I.S.S. are:

1. Of those applying 25% are Catholic, 20% Protestant and 55% Jewish.

2. Applications are now being received from Czecho-Slovakia, Spain, Rumania, the Free City of Danzig, and Germany.

3. About 110 students will be placed by the end of the academic year, 1938-39. (There are over 1,000,000 American college students. Student-refugees are not competing for scholarships with any of them.)

4. The total value of scholarships distributed by I.S.S. this year is approximately $100,000.

5. The work of I.S.S. which includes help for Chinese students in the Far East as well as the European refugee work has been carried on with a budget of less than $5,000.

In order that this work be continued I.S.S. needs at least $25,000 more to meet emergency needs of students who are victims of racial, religious, and political persecution. An additional $3,000 is needed to meet administrative costs. Will you please help?

Send contributions to: 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICE

8 West 40th Street

New York City

This article is fascinating. I know more about this topic than the average person, so I noticed how complicated some of the details are, even though they have been simplified for this article. It reminds me to keep that in mind anytime I’m reading an article about something I know nothing about. 

It starts out very optimistically...all of these scholarships that have been rewarded, money that has been raised, the overwhelming charity of these schools who have risen to the occasion to respond to events like kristallnacht. The actual event is not really named, only alluded to, so if you didn’t know it happened, you would be confused. Some of the article is devoted to talking about people who have put aside their differences to help. I’m not sure if they are talking about the people who are being helped or the groups that are helping. The article mentions the fact that a majority of the people seeking help are Jewish. I wonder if emphasizing "putting aside differences" in light of this particular population's needs is a subtle reference to the Anti-Semitism rampant in the U.S.

After the "good news" of financial help and cooperation, you get the "bad news" - that they are hardly touching the amount of students who are actually trying to get over...they have successfully helped 80 students and the amount applied exceeds 5,000. 

This is where, if you don’t know what you are looking for, you would miss this. It talks about how the

...number of applications to the Geneva and New York offices from Germany and Czecho-slovakia alone is near 5,000. Additional requests in smaller numbers are coming from persecuted students in Italy, Rumania and Hungary. Because most countries have closed their doors, the bulk of the work is now being done in England and the United States.

For someone who doesn’t know what that means, it would be easy to miss the bottom line. Essentially what they are saying is most of the refugees in Europe are hopeless cases because the borders are closing. In England and the U.S., it’s likely that no more than 500 students can be helped in a year. 
It's kind of bleak- and I think the students were some of the easier ones to help. Regular refugee folks had to obtain affidavits - which was a pretty difficult process. Opa's case looks more and more impossible at this moment- but so far he is not in Nazi-controlled land, so the door is still open a crack.

Finally, the last sort of unfortunate news is that 

the most difficult obstacle, which ISS must meet, after a student has been recommended and accepted by a university, is getting him to the United States...most Jewish students are unable to obtain them [student visas], since the German government stamps a J on their passports.

After reading that quote, I wondered if the average American reading this article understands what that means...that the J means they are Jewish and don’t have the normal rights of citizenship. Do they understand that American immigration policy requires students to have a viable return country? Therefore, the very fact that Jewish students need to get out of Germany means that they won’t likely be welcomed back and thus negates their ability to get a student visa, which is irony at its best. Opa was sort of ahead of this obstacle as he escaped Germany and destroyed his passport. His temporary visa from Holland was his flimsy hope.

Then, the article points out that the overwhelming majority of support comes from liberal arts colleges, not technical ones, which is part of Opa’s dilemma. This is why Jan, with a less than stellar record, superceded him for McPherson...because of the nature of the school. I wonder why the technical and medical schools are so closed, particularly because they probably have financial capabilities and means?

On the other side of the document was this update and specific details about the ISS’s work on student refugees and a request for financial help. If I could retroactively give them money, I would!

June 14, 1939: What about Jan?

Transcription:

Dear Charlotte,             Re: Jan Rosenbach

      

In going through Jan Rosenbach's dossiers, I found a note that you were suggesting him for McPherson College. Have you received any definite word as to whether he has been accepted? Thru Miss Marion Frenyear's intervention Mr. Robert Berquist of Minneapolis has provided him with affidavits. While there are many obstacles and the affidavit is not particularly strong, we are forwarding it to our Geneva office in the hope that it will at least give him some protection against the Nazi officials.

Sincerely yours,

Robert G. Spivack

Transcription:

Dear Mr. Myers:
       We are very glad to know that you are interested in Jan Rosenbach. Since his father was an active member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation I imagine that his is a religious pacifism as this is the basis of the FOR.
       I have no information on Jan Rosenbach's habits in regard to smoking, drinking and dancing. We can only judge by the personal reccommendation we have on him as a splendid young man, that he would be willing to adjust his ways to those of the community in which he finds himself. I think that undoubtedly he would - since most of the foreign students are grateful for the opportunity to study here and are anxious to fit into the life of the College.
      In regard to his record I would interpret it as average even the "degree in total progress" is one mark above "insufficient". I think however that we have to take into consideration the fact that school life for him cannot have been quite normal for some time now. I know that several students who have come here legally have been handicapped by the worry and the nervous strain they have gone through. I shall ask him to send us a picture and if possible more personal details . I think your plans for his maintenance are splendidly worked out and would be sufficient for a student's visa. The only difficulty is the necessity to prove to the American Consul that he can return to some other country after his stay here. This problem is one that he will have to work out over there. We can only send him the invitation backed by the scholarship and arrangement for his maintenance.
     The sooner the committee can come to a decision the easier it would be to make arrangements for him to come to this country. I hope to hear from you soon and will send any other information that I can get.

Sincerely yours,
Charlotte Salmon
Placement Worker
Refugee Service
 
So, basically, it looks like Jan is as good as in McPherson and both the International Student Service (ISS) and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) are keeping tabs on him. 

In the first letter here, Robert Spivack mentions that the affidavit might offer some protection for Jan against the Nazi officials. This really intrigued me! We looked around more more clues on this idea... In a letter written in May from Jan's AFSC case file, Charlotte explains that "if Robert Spivack thought an affidavit would be helpful to Jan Rosenbach no doubt he considered it as a protection to him against possible arrest or other maltreatment." If Nazi officials know that someone with documented financial ability in the United States is paying attention and cares for you, would they be more likely to leave you alone for a while, at least at first? This is fascinating to me. I've heard allusions to this idea before, but have never really seen a concrete example like this. I wonder if there is any truth to it- if the Nazi's really did back off people who had American ties- at least for a little bit (or until they joined the war).  Or was this idea just another thing people thought might help but in reality, didn't make much of a difference?

Either way, it looks like Jan is well on his way to being accepted to McPherson, despite a less than stellar academic record. Charlotte at the AFSC makes a kind statement about the situation many of these refugee students have been in. She highlights the fact that life has taken an emotional toll in a way that may result in less than stellar grades. I love that Charlotte says basically without asking that Jan will do whatever it takes to fit in to the school's culture. She says, essentially: you don't want him to smoke or dance or drink, he'll do it...he'll do whatever it takes because that's how desperate and grateful these folks are for a chance to emigrate and study in America. 

Charlotte asks Phil for a final decision so they can get to work on a visa- they have their work cut out for them. They hope that his sort of tenuous ability to return to Europe won't affect his application for emigration. Meanwhile, we are still waiting on Oberlin for Opa...

June 9, 1939: Phil Myers Asking

Letter from Phil Meyer to American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

Transcription:

Dear Sirs,

     I have at hand your letter of May 27, the dossiers of two students, Manfred Lange and Thomas Doeppner, as furnished by you and the dossier of Jan Rosenback as furnished by Miss Frenyear. Your former communications have been addressed to Mr. Luther Harshbarger who graduated this spring. I am chairman of the committee in charge of this project for the summer and the ensuing school year. Will you please place my name on your mailing list in place of Mr. Harshbargers.

    The committee has met and considered the dossiers of these three students. We do not feel that we have sufficient information about Manfred Lange to consider him, furthermore since he is an Aryan, we cannot favor him because our campaign was conducted for the support of a non-Aryan student. We doubt that Thomas Doeppner could receive the instruction he desires at McPherson College because this institution is a Liberal Arts college. The remaining student Jan J. Rosenbach seems to fulfill our needs quite satisfactorily. However, we would like some additional information about him before making our final decision. 

   Our registrar has had some difficulty in interpreting the grading system used on the "Annuary School Report". The individual grades appear to be average or below, while the "degree of total progress" seems to be above average. Could you clarify this matter by expressing these grades in terms of an A, B, C, D, F, system or on a percentage basis? We desire a student of superior ability if such an individual is available.

    Your original letter states that Jan's father was a "prominent pacifist." This was one reason for our particular interest in this student since McPherson College, supported by the Church of the Brethren, holds strong pacifist convictions based upon religious tenets. However we are interested in the motivating force in the pacifism of the Rosenbach family, for we do not desire agitation of a communistic or other undesirable nature. Can you clarify this matter to our satisfaction?

    Will you please send us a picture of Jan Rosenbach if one is available.

    I have asked the Registrar to send you a catalogue of McPherson College. You will notice that the institution is a small, church related, liberal arts college. The student body is drawn from rural and small urban areas. The social life is based upon the traditions and beliefs of the Church of the Brethren. Smoking, drinking and dancing are prohibited on the campus. On the basis of available information do you recommend Jan J. Rosenbach as a student who will be able to adjust himself to such an environment?
    
     Referring again to your letter of May 27, I notice that you mention that we have raised $400. I think it is advisable to clarify our financial situation. Our original plan provided for a three point program.

1. Student-Faculty contribution  -  $150  
2. Charitable and religious organizations - $100
3. College administration
 a) scholarship - $50
 b) Work at the prevailing wage - $100 ($150)
                                 Total - $400

     A student, by careful financial planning, can complete a year at McPherson College for this amount. The Student Faculty contributions amounted to $135; organizations to date have contributed $70. Of the deficit of $45 we have pledges of $20 and finally three of the largest charitable organizations of the city have delayed action until new officers shall have been installed. We have a tentative promise of a job on Saturdays for the student. We are confident that sufficient funds will be available at the opening of school to care for this student. Does this plan fulfil the requirements of a student entering the U.S. on a non-quota visa?

   President V.F. Schwalm is out of the city and expects to return June 19. We hope to receive the additional information requested above before that date, in order that we may take final action upon his return.

Sincerely,
Phil Myers

Here is a letter from Phil Myers of McPherson College. From the looks of it- this guy has all the qualities it takes to be a CEO. I mean seriously, I’d follow this guy in any business venture!

Phil takes over for Luther Harshbarger, who started the conversation between McPherson and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and has now graduated (if you missed the spotlight on how his life shaped up, check it out here). Phil gives the update on how McPherson is doing in selecting a refugee to support at their college: they have eliminated Manfred Lange as a candidate due to a lack of information on him, as well as the fact that he is Aryan, and they hope to help a Jewish student. It is interesting to me that this distinction in labels is so obvious. Before this project, I thought of Christian and Jewish as only a religious distinction. It never quite entered my brain as a racial or “blood” or even cultural distinction. It certainly did not occur to me that someone could be considered distinctly Jewish without having any personal religious connection to the Jewish faith, or even that they could be of another faith entirely, but still “genetically” Jewish. I’ve learned otherwise in this research, but I wonder how many people think like I did, when only a generation or two ago, the racial/genetic identity of the Jew was clear and distinguishable to the common person.

So McPherson decides to rule out Manfred because he is Aryan and has insufficient information. Then Opa is next on the chopping block. They fear Opa wouldn’t receive the kind of education he wants at a small liberal arts school. Opa had interest in studying engineering, so this logic makes sense, but it excludes him from a potential opportunity to leave Europe.

Phil Myers and his group focus in on Jan Rosenbach as the most likely candidate for a scholarship. Jan’s family background, especially his father’s reputation, as a prominent pacifist, is intriguing to McPherson. However I think it’s funny that they make sure that the pacifism is not stemming from a Communist or other political agenda that could potentially be disruptive for McPherson. When I think about it though, this was probably wise for them to ask because he did describe McPherson as a small school that had students from rural and small urban towns. So a student with strong political opinions that were very different would have a hard time in a school like this. This school seems to be still closely tied with the Church of the Brethren, its original founders, and Phil reminds the AFSC that a student will not be allowed to drink, smoke, or dance.

Phil clarifies how the scholarship plays out in terms of support from the students, staff, and area organizations. That comprehensive effort to support a refugee student, involving the entire community, it’s pretty amazing. Phil makes sure that this would be sufficient support for a student to come on a non-quota visa and asks for more information on Jan. So at this point, it looks like Opa is out of the running. So right now Oberlin seems to be his best bet.

May 30, 1939: Pushing Jan

 Letter to Luther Harshbarger of McPherson College from Marion Frenyear of Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR)

Transcription:

Dear Mr. Harshbarger,

          

At the suggestion of Charlotte Salmon of the Refugee Service of the American Friends Service Committee I am sending you this enclosed information about Jan Rosenbach, whom she believes may be a suitable refugee student for your campus.

         

As you will see from the correspondence, Jan has been highly recommended to us by a leader in the Czech Fellowship of Reconciliation. Both his father, who was a Jew, and his mother were members of the F.O.R. He heard of him through Enrico Molner, one of this group who is now in the U.S. For the refugee committee of the American F.O.R. I have been trying to place him. One of our members is signing an affidavit for him to help him emigrate to this country.

       

We hope you will consider him as a candidate for your refugee scholarship. If there is any way in which we can help you in reaching a decision about this, please let us know. 

Sincerely yours,

Marion G. Frenyear

Letter from Marion Frenyear of FOR to Charlotte Salmon of American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

Transcription:

Dear Charlotte:

       

Enclosed is a copy of my letter to Luther Harshbarger, McPherson College. At Harold Fey's suggestion I also sent such a carbon to Donald Smucker, Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas. I have not sent Jan's papers to the other colleges you mentioned but will do so.

      

I am also enclosing a copy of Jan's school report and of his letter to me of May 15th. I believe you have copies of the rest of the correspondence i.e.

1. Enrico Molnar's letter of April 24th

2. Jan Rosenbach's letter to the Director of Carnegie Tech

3. The answer to that dated May 3rd

4. Premyal Pitter's letter of April 13th.

If you have not any of these please let me know.

Last Friday Robert Berquist was here. We had a talk with Robert Spivack and Robert Berquist decided to go right ahead with the affidavit for Jan Rosenbach.

Thank you for the additional information about Morgentham. I sent an item for "Fellowship" about him and Beule.

With thanks for your help and all good wishes from

Marion Frenyear

These two letters may throw you off a bit because they have nothing to do with Opa- but as Opa is “waiting and seeing” about Oberlin, things are still moving with McPherson, and we wanted to follow some of Jan’s story as his and Opa’s sort of intersect a few times. Charlotte has moved forward with getting Jan Rosenbach’s information to McPherson College. I imagine she also sent Opa’s information, but with things looking good at Oberlin, Jan seems to be getting the spotlight at McPherson.

Luther Harshbarger at McPherson gets a letter from Marion Frenyear, who seems to be a placement worker for refugees with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR). This group seems to be an international group that is working in cooperation with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). I wonder how that cooperation and sharing of information happened? There must have been quite a professional sharing for people to recommend candidates found through other venues. I’m impressed!

One last thing- in his letter to Charlotte, Marion mentions that he will go ahead with the affidavit for Jan Rosenbach. This is a new step in the student visa process for me. Does Opa need an affidavit as well?! I have done some research on visas and immigration into the USA during this time period. An affidavit in this context is a sworn statement that someone will be (primarily) financially responsible for the refugee. This was sort of a method to keep out perceived “moochers” from immigrating into the US and then becoming a financial burden on society. I’ll talk more about this later, but an affidavit was kind of a big deal, and could be challenging to find a solid one.

Spotlight: Jan Rosenbach Part 1

As we mentioned earlier in the blog, we were blessed that Ron and Becky from the Holocaust Museum located us and introduced us to the refugee files from the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). Most of what you have seen so far came from these files and was supplemented by what we found in Sarah’s grandmother’s apartment. One of the pieces of this journey that Sarah and I continue to share is the way we have been amazed at all the stories we have encountered along the way that are fascinating and whether in small or large ways, have engaged Opa’s story. Part of my research for the project has been to look into any name that came up in Opa’s letters. I’ve done some spotlights on some of the people representing schools looking for refugees. Another set of names that have come up are other refugees the AFSC were seeking to help. In many cases, the refugee workers were constantly trying to help a large number of students to get settled somehow in the area. 

Most research begins by googling and searching the internet. Sometimes, that proves fruitful, other times it doesn’t. But with these other refugees, they, like Opa, have their files with the AFSC. I will take a week soon to share the stories of some of the refugees whose names you have seen in Opa’s files. I want to give you a part 1 spotlight on one of these names: Jan Rosenbach. I want to share a little about Jan as his story intersects Opa’s in this moment of history because Jan is being considered for McPherson, like Opa is. Tomorrow, Sarah will share a few letters from Jan’s file as the AFSC works to place him. Sarah and I thought it might be neat to see the way Charlotte is working for Opa and his unique situation and at the same time, is working for Jan in his unique situation. So, I wanted to share what I learned about Jan up to this point to frame the letters and then later, I can give you a “Part 2” of the spotlight to tell you what happens to Jan later.

Jan Rosenbach

Jan was born in Czechoslovakia on September 1st, 1921. His father was Jewish and his mother, Anna Lorene Rosenbach, born in Moravia, was Aryan. They were involved in the Fellowship of Reconciliation in Czechoslovakia. His father, Franticek Rosenbach, was a state police counselor or inspector. In correspondence, it says he “died suddenly” on March 16, 1939, Jan’s final year of school. Another letter says he “died of nerve-shock when the German troops entered Prague”. This was when the F.O.R. in Czechoslovakia began helping Jan leave to go to the U.S. In Jan’s file are many letters from the Fellowship working to get him out and settled at a school.

Spotlight: Fellowship of Reconciliation

In Jan's letters, it will talk about the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR). This organization will come up again later in Opa's story as well, so I figured I would do a quick spotlight on it. For our blog, I just want to note that FOR was started around the events of World War I and was another organization invested in peace and seeking refuge for those persecuted by war. To read more (and explore), you can go to the link below on the USA Fellowship of Reconciliation website: http://forusa.org/about/history.