Bakelite Star of David button worn by a Bulgarian Jewish woman
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 1.250 inches (3.175 cm) | Width: 1.250 inches (3.175 cm) | Depth: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm)
Creator(s)
- Rashel Eshaya (Subject)
Biographical History
Rashel Hasson was born on January 20, 1909, in Ruse, Bulgaria, to Isaac and Mali Shalom Hasson. She had three siblings: Vikki, Eliezer, and Liza. In 1940, Rashel married Haim Eshaya in Burgas. Haim was born on May 16, 1904, in Sofia, to Avram and Rivka Amada Levy Eshaya. They owned a textile business in Burgas. In July 1940, Bulgaria began to enact restrictive anti-Jewish legislation. In early March 1941, Bulgaria joined the Axis alliance. The Bulgarians formed Jewish forced labor battalions to build infrastructure needed for the war. From June to September 1941, Haim was interned in Beli Izvor forced labor camp. Rashel remained at home and managed their business. In 1942, Germany began pressuring Bulgaria to deport its Jews. That August, Jews were forced to register and wear Star of David badges. In early March 1943, Bulgarian authorities deported Jews in occupied areas and prepared to deport the Jews from the capital, Sofia. Rashel was in danger of being deported. In March 1943, Bulgarian politicians, intellectuals and clergy protested the imminent deportations, which were cancelled in May 1943. From February to November 1943, Haim was interned in Gradeshnitsa forced labor camp. In May 1944, Haim was sent to Smyadovo labor camp. Soviet forces approached in summer 1944 and on September 1, 1944, Haim was liberated and returned to Burgas. In October 1944, Bulgaria switched allegiances and declared war on Germany. On May 7, 1945, the war ended when Germany surrendered. In 1947, Rashel had a son. In 1948, the family emigrated to Israel and settled in Tel Aviv.
Archival History
The Star of David button was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Tal Eshaya Westman, the granddaughter of Rashel Hasson Eshaya.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Tal Eshaya Westman
Funding Note: The acquisition of this artifact was made possible by the Crown Family.
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Star of David button, made of Bakelite, worn by Rashel Hasson Eshaya to identify her as a Jew from 1942 to 1944 in Burgas, Bulgaria. When Bulgaria joined the Axis alliance in March 1941, Rashel was living in Burgas with her husband Haim. In June 1941, Haim was taken to be a forced laborer and was interned in three labor camps in Bulgaria. Rashel remained at home managing their textile business. In late August 1942, Jews were required to wear small Star of David buttons. Rashel was at risk of being deported to a concentration camp as the German government pressured Bulgarian authorities to deport its Jews. The deportations were canceled in May 1943 due to resistance from Bulgarian politicians, intellectuals and clergy. Haim was liberated in September 1944.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Small, yellow, Bakelite button in the shape of a 6 pointed Star of David incised on the front with black lines that form the outline of a Star of David. The end points of each arm have been cut straight. There is a small indent with 2 circular holes in the center to sew the button onto clothing. The back is black. 2 tips have detached and are held in place by adhesive tape.
Subjects
- Jews--Persecution--Bulgaria--Biography.
- Jews--Bulgaria--History--20th century.
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, Bulgarian.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Bulgaria--Burgas--Personal narratives.
Genre
- Object
- Identifying Artifacts