Jack Ratz collection

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn500326
• English
• folder 1
• Updated 7 months ago

Contains typescript extracts of a memoir entitled "The Silent Witness and His Partner," which relates to the donor's experiences in Riva, Latvia during the Holocaust. Also includes three poems in Yiddish: "Yarmulke," "Stuthoff KZ," and "Living through Hell."

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn86181
• English
• folder 1
• Updated 7 months ago

Contains a photograph of Isaak Ratz taken in September 1945, in Landsberg am Lech

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn86182
• English
• overall: | Depth: 0.250 inches (0.635 cm) | Diameter: 1.375 inches (3.493 cm)
• Updated 7 months ago

HIAS badge worn by 19 year old Isaak Racs (later Jack Ratz) during his October 1947 journey from Bremen to the United States. On July 1, 1941, Germany invaded Latvia. That summer, Isaak was forced into the Riga ghetto with his parents, Moses and Tema, and three younger brothers, Rafael, Chona, and Aron. On December 8, his mother and brothers were executed during the liquidation of the ghetto. Isaak and his father were forced laborers in the small ghetto, until they were sent to Lenta labor camp in 1943. Around August 1944, Isaak and Moses were sent to Stutthof concentration camp. In October...

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• irn86183
• English
• 1942-1945
• overall: Height: 0.875 inches (2.223 cm) | Width: 0.875 inches (2.223 cm) | Depth: 0.500 inches (1.27 cm)
• Updated 7 months ago

Silver ring made from a spoon for 14 year old Isaak Racs (later Jack Ratz) in Riga ghetto and worn in several concentration camps. Following a mass execution in the ghetto, a jeweler offered to make commemorative jewelry for anyone who could bring him silver. Isaak brought him a silver spoon and had the ring engraved with his Hebrew initials and the date his mother and three younger brothers were murdered. Latvia was invaded by Nazi Germany on July 1, 1941. That summer, Isaak was forced into the Jewish ghetto with his parents, Moses and Tema, and three younger brothers, Rafael, Chona, and A...