Hannelore Mansbacher / Hannah Weill (F / Germany, 1930), Holocaust survivor
Hannelore Mansbacher / Hannah Weill (F / Germany, 1930), Holocaust survivor
- KEYWORDS : <Refugees> <China>
Biography
Hannah M. Weill (born Hannelore Mansbacher) is the daughter of Julius and Kaethe Mansbacher. She was born on June 27, 1930 in Berlin, Germany whee her parents owned a small grocery store. The Mansbachers lived in Berlin until shortly after their business was destroyed and their home looted during Kristallnacht. The family then made all attempts to emigrate, finally securing exit visas and passage to Shanghai in April 1939. Upon their arrival in June of 1939, the Mansbachers were sent to Kinchow, one of five refugee camps situated in factory buildings in Shanghai. Their living conditions were poor, but they received regular meals in a central kitchen, and clothing from a central depot. Hannah attended the Kadoorie school for Jewish refugee children, where her parents eventually secured employment as janitors. After completing high school Hannah was able to supplement the family's income by obtaining work as a secretary. After the Japanese surrender, the Mansbachers remained in Shanghai for another two years. In 1947 they emigrated to the United States aboard the SS General Meiggs. Hannah married in 1953 and settled in San Diego.