13 records – page 1 of 1.

Autograph album

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113341
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
book
Physical Description
Autograph album : handwritten : purple, red, green, beige, black ; Ht: 8,8 cm x W: 14,5 cm
Date
1927-1930
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
book
Physical Description
Autograph album : handwritten : purple, red, green, beige, black ; Ht: 8,8 cm x W: 14,5 cm
Date
1927-1930
Language
Polish
Yiddish
English
Notes
Recktangular booklet, inclouding 35 pages. The colour of the cover is beetroot in all nuances caused by discolouration. A small flower in black is engraved. The border of the pages is coloured in red. The first and last pages are printed with green filigree leaves. Some pages are used respectively labelled. Narrative: Sonia Smolnik-Aronowicz-Tencer was born in 1915, in Vilnius, formerly part of Poland. Her family has lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. The city was under the Soviet occupation when the Nazis invaded on June 22, 1941. In September 1941, Sonia and her family were deported to the Vilnius ghetto, created by the Nazis to dehumanize and exploit the Jews. They remained there until 1943, when the men and women were separated. It was the last time she saw her brother, Ariye, and her husband, Misha. In the ghetto of Vilnius, Sonia befriended Miriam and Minya (Miriam's sister-in-law). Together, they made a pact to help each other survive the war. Their friendship and alliance represent a form of resistance against the abuse they suffered in the ghetto and labor camps. The same year, Sonia's parents went into hiding. Sonia and her two friends were then deported to the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia where they were used as forced labor. In 1945, they were deported to Bromberg-Ost, a women's annex of the Stutthof concentration camp where they were forced to build German railroads and barracks. The camp was liquidated on January 20, 1945, 300 survivors set off on a death march to Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg. Sonia managed to escape. She spent the next few weeks hiding in abandoned German houses before her liberation by the Soviet Army. On the day of her liberation near Pomerania, a Soviet soldier gave Sonia a necklace as a symbol of hope and comfort. He told her she would be able to wear jewelry again one day. After the war, Sonia reunited with her two friends. Miriam then immigrated to Boston where she became an administrative assistant in the Chemistry Department at Harvard. Minya remained in France, where she married and had two sons. Sonia arrived in Canada aboard the ship Samaria in 1950.
Accession No.
2020X.10.04
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Blanket

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn45483
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Blanket : Sewn : Blue, Grey, Green ; Ht: 36 1/2 in. x W: 51 1/2 in.
Date
1939-1945
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Blanket : Sewn : Blue, Grey, Green ; Ht: 36 1/2 in. x W: 51 1/2 in.
Other Title Information
Bedding
Date
1939-1945
Physical Condition
Good
Notes
Blanket consists of small square patches stitched together to form a large square blanket. Concentration camp blanket. Narrative: This blanket was issued to prisoner in a concentration camp, it was used by Sonia Aronowicz during a death march. Sonia Aronowicz was born in 1915 in Vilnius, Poland (today Lithuania). Her family had lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. In 1941, after the Nazis invaded the region, Sonia and her family were sent to the Vilnius ghetto. The ghetto was liquidated in September 1943 and men and women were separated. This was the last time Sonia saw her husband Misha and her younger brother Ariye. Her parents went into hiding. Sonia was deported along with her friend, Miriam and Miriam’s sister-in-law, Minya. The three of them made a pact to always stay together. This gave them strength. Together they worked successively in the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia, and Stutthof and Bromberg-Ost (in Bydgoszcz), Poland. Their work was very demanding, they built rails for trains and hauled wood to build barracks. Sonia was then sent on a death march and was eventually liberated by Soviet soldiers in Pomorze, Poland.
Accession No.
2011X.330.01
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Places
Poland, Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Dress

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn47807
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Dress : woven, sewn, machine, hand : prink, grey, yellow
Date
1925-1935
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Dress : woven, sewn, machine, hand : prink, grey, yellow
Other Title Information
Clothing, Outerwear
Date
1925-1935
Physical Condition
Poor
Notes
Short sleeved dress that is colour blocked in stripes. The bodice and skirt have been sewn using multiple panels, alternating the colour lines horizontally and vertically, creating a syle line effect. The inside hem has been reinforced in sections with additional strips of fabric. Metal snap clasps are found along the right shoulder seem. Narrative: Dress was worn by Sonia Smolnick before the war. This item was burried in an empty barrel during the war and retrieved after the war by Sonia (donor's mother). Sonia Aronowicz was born in 1915 in Vilnius, Poland (today Lithuania). Her family had lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. In 1941, after the Nazis invaded the region, Sonia and her family were sent to the Vilnius ghetto. The ghetto was liquidated in September 1943 and men and women were separated. This was the last time Sonia saw her husband Misha and her younger brother Ariye. Her parents went into hiding. Sonia was deported along with her friend, Miriam and Miriam’s sister-in-law, Minya. The three of them made a pact to always stay together. This gave them strength. Together they worked successively in the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia, and Stutthof and Bromberg-Ost (in Bydgoszcz), Poland. Their work was very demanding, they built rails for trains and hauled wood to build barracks. Sonia was then sent on a death march and was eventually liberated by Soviet soldiers in Pomorze, Poland.
Accession No.
2003.19.01
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Places
Pazece, Poland, Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Dress

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn76283
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Dress : sewn : blue, grey ; Ht: 39 1/2 in. x W: 25 in.
Date
1943-1945
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Dress : sewn : blue, grey ; Ht: 39 1/2 in. x W: 25 in.
Other Title Information
Clothing, Outerwear
Date
1943-1945
Physical Condition
Good
Notes
This dress is made of blue and grey stripes material with 2 black buttons at neck (1 missing), collar, 12” slit at front bottom. It was the uniform of a female concentration camp prisoner. Narrative: This dress belonged to Sonia Aronowicz born in 1915 in Vilnius, Poland (today Lithuania). Her family had lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. In 1941, after the Nazis invaded the region, Sonia and her family were sent to the Vilnius ghetto. The ghetto was liquidated in September 1943 and men and women were separated. This was the last time Sonia saw her husband Misha and her younger brother Ariye. Her parents went into hiding. Sonia was deported along with her friend, Miriam and Miriam’s sister-in-law, Minya. The three of them made a pact to always stay together. This gave them strength. Together they worked successively in the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia, and Stutthof and Bromberg-Ost (in Bydgoszcz), Poland. Their work was very demanding, they built rails for trains and hauled wood to build barracks. Sonia was then sent on a death march and was eventually liberated by Soviet soldiers in Pomorze, Poland.
Accession No.
2011X.330.03
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Places
Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Dress

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113337
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Dress : sewn ; Ht: 97,5 cm x W: 52,5 cm
Date
[ca. 1947]
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Dress : sewn ; Ht: 97,5 cm x W: 52,5 cm
Date
[ca. 1947]
Notes
Dark blue dress with full length buttons. There are press studs at the sleeves. On the photos 2020.10.02 and 2020.10.03 we can see Sonia wearing the dress. Narrative: Sonia Smolnik-Aronowicz-Tencer was born in 1915, in Vilnius, formerly part of Poland. Her family has lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. The city was under the Soviet occupation when the Nazis invaded on June 22, 1941. In September 1941, Sonia and her family were deported to the Vilnius ghetto, created by the Nazis to dehumanize and exploit the Jews. They remained there until 1943, when the men and women were separated. It was the last time she saw her brother, Ariye, and her husband, Misha. In the ghetto of Vilnius, Sonia befriended Miriam and Minya (Miriam's sister-in-law). Together, they made a pact to help each other survive the war. Their friendship and alliance represent a form of resistance against the abuse they suffered in the ghetto and labor camps. The same year, Sonia's parents went into hiding. Sonia and her two friends were then deported to the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia where they were used as forced labor. In 1945, they were deported to Bromberg-Ost, a women's annex of the Stutthof concentration camp where they were forced to build German railroads and barracks. The camp was liquidated on January 20, 1945, 300 survivors set off on a death march to Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg. Sonia managed to escape. She spent the next few weeks hiding in abandoned German houses before her liberation by the Soviet Army. On the day of her liberation near Pomerania, a Soviet soldier gave Sonia a necklace as a symbol of hope and comfort. He told her she would be able to wear jewelry again one day. After the war, Sonia reunited with her two friends. Miriam then immigrated to Boston where she became an administrative assistant in the Chemistry Department at Harvard. Minya remained in France, where she married and had two sons. Sonia arrived in Canada aboard the ship Samaria in 1950.
Accession No.
2020.10.01
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Places
Poland, Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Knife

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113344
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Knife : silver ; Ht: 0,4 cm x W: 1,8 cm x De: 18,5 cm
Date
1943
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Knife : silver ; Ht: 0,4 cm x W: 1,8 cm x De: 18,5 cm
Date
1943
Language
German
Notes
Silver-colored metal knife with a rounded tip. The handle is thicker but smaller than the blade. The knife is wrapped in an envelope with a lettering written in Yiddish.There is an inscription on the handle, Rostfrei. Sonia Smolnik-Aronowicz-Tencer was born in 1915, in Vilnius, formerly part of Poland. Her family has lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. The city was under the Soviet occupation when the Nazis invaded on June 22, 1941. In September 1941, Sonia and her family were deported to the Vilnius ghetto, created by the Nazis to dehumanize and exploit the Jews. They remained there until 1943, when the men and women were separated. It was the last time she saw her brother, Ariye, and her husband, Misha. In the ghetto of Vilnius, Sonia befriended Miriam and Minya (Miriam's sister-in-law). Together, they made a pact to help each other survive the war. Their friendship and alliance represent a form of resistance against the abuse they suffered in the ghetto and labor camps. The same year, Sonia's parents went into hiding. Sonia and her two friends were then deported to the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia where they were used as forced labor. In 1945, they were deported to Bromberg-Ost, a women's annex of the Stutthof concentration camp where they were forced to build German railroads and barracks. The camp was liquidated on January 20, 1945, 300 survivors set off on a death march to Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg. Sonia managed to escape. She spent the next few weeks hiding in abandoned German houses before her liberation by the Soviet Army. On the day of her liberation near Pomerania, a Soviet soldier gave Sonia a necklace as a symbol of hope and comfort. He told her she would be able to wear jewelry again one day. After the war, Sonia reunited with her two friends. Miriam then immigrated to Boston where she became an administrative assistant in the Chemistry Department at Harvard. Minya remained in France, where she married and had two sons. Sonia arrived in Canada aboard the ship Samaria in 1950.
Accession No.
2020X.10.06
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Lunch box

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn47778
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Lunch box : cut, varnished, hinged, leather worked, metal worked : brown, silver ; Ht: 9,5 cm x W: 12,8 cm x De: 21,5 cm
Date
1920-1930
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Lunch box : cut, varnished, hinged, leather worked, metal worked : brown, silver ; Ht: 9,5 cm x W: 12,8 cm x De: 21,5 cm
Other Title Information
Container
Date
1920-1930
Physical Condition
Good
Notes
Oval lunch box; leather hinged, wood lid, with leather strap and metal buckle. Narrative: Used by Ariye (Leibele) Smolnik in kindergarten or grade 1, was buried to save it, Ariye was killed in Holocaust, sister Sonia recovered it afterwards
Accession No.
2011X.330.06
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Places
Vilnius (Vilna), Poland, Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Necklace

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113342
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Necklace : carved ; Ht: 0,5 cm x W: 5 cm x De: 32 cm
Date
[ca. 1930]
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Necklace : carved ; Ht: 0,5 cm x W: 5 cm x De: 32 cm
Date
[ca. 1930]
Notes
The pendant features carved elements of leaves, branches and haptic flowers in a circular piece of bone. It is attached by a black cord, decorated with beads, to an oblong clasp. In March 1945, a Soviet soldier gave this necklace to Sonia when he liberated her near Pomerania. The soldier told Sonia that she would one day wear jewelry again and gave her the necklace. Narrative: Sonia Smolnik-Aronowicz-Tencer was born in 1915, in Vilnius, formerly part of Poland. Her family has lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. The city was under the Soviet occupation when the Nazis invaded on June 22, 1941. In September 1941, Sonia and her family were deported to the Vilnius ghetto, created by the Nazis to dehumanize and exploit the Jews. They remained there until 1943, when the men and women were separated. It was the last time she saw her brother, Ariye, and her husband, Misha. In the ghetto of Vilnius, Sonia befriended Miriam and Minya (Miriam's sister-in-law). Together, they made a pact to help each other survive the war. Their friendship and alliance represent a form of resistance against the abuse they suffered in the ghetto and labor camps. The same year, Sonia's parents went into hiding. Sonia and her two friends were then deported to the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia where they were used as forced labor. In 1945, they were deported to Bromberg-Ost, a women's annex of the Stutthof concentration camp where they were forced to build German railroads and barracks. The camp was liquidated on January 20, 1945, 300 survivors set off on a death march to Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg. Sonia managed to escape. She spent the next few weeks hiding in abandoned German houses before her liberation by the Soviet Army. On the day of her liberation near Pomerania, a Soviet soldier gave Sonia a necklace as a symbol of hope and comfort. He told her she would be able to wear jewelry again one day. After the war, Sonia reunited with her two friends. Miriam then immigrated to Boston where she became an administrative assistant in the Chemistry Department at Harvard. Minya remained in France, where she married and had two sons. Sonia arrived in Canada aboard the ship Samaria in 1950.
Accession No.
2020X.10.07
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Places
Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Photograph

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113339
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Physical Description
Photograph : silver print ; Ht: 8,5 cm x W: 6 cm
Date
1948
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Physical Description
Photograph : silver print ; Ht: 8,5 cm x W: 6 cm
Date
1948
Language
German
English
Notes
Black and white photo of the portrait of Sonia Tencer, in Warsaw in 1948. Jagged edge. Sonia is wearing a blue dress (see 2020.10.01) Narrative: Sonia Smolnik-Aronowicz-Tencer was born in 1915, in Vilnius, formerly part of Poland. Her family has lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. The city was under the Soviet occupation when the Nazis invaded on June 22, 1941. In September 1941, Sonia and her family were deported to the Vilnius ghetto, created by the Nazis to dehumanize and exploit the Jews. They remained there until 1943, when the men and women were separated. It was the last time she saw her brother, Ariye, and her husband, Misha. In the ghetto of Vilnius, Sonia befriended Miriam and Minya (Miriam's sister-in-law). Together, they made a pact to help each other survive the war. Their friendship and alliance represent a form of resistance against the abuse they suffered in the ghetto and labor camps. The same year, Sonia's parents went into hiding. Sonia and her two friends were then deported to the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia where they were used as forced labor. In 1945, they were deported to Bromberg-Ost, a women's annex of the Stutthof concentration camp where they were forced to build German railroads and barracks. The camp was liquidated on January 20, 1945, 300 survivors set off on a death march to Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg. Sonia managed to escape. She spent the next few weeks hiding in abandoned German houses before her liberation by the Soviet Army. On the day of her liberation near Pomerania, a Soviet soldier gave Sonia a necklace as a symbol of hope and comfort. He told her she would be able to wear jewelry again one day. After the war, Sonia reunited with her two friends. Miriam then immigrated to Boston where she became an administrative assistant in the Chemistry Department at Harvard. Minya remained in France, where she married and had two sons. Sonia arrived in Canada aboard the ship Samaria in 1950.
Accession No.
2020.10.02
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Photograph

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113340
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTRE (MHMC-01)
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Physical Description
Photograph : silver print ; Ht: 13,5 cm x W: 8,5 cm
Date
October 27, 1948
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTRE (MHMC-01)
Description Level
Item
Material Type
graphic material
Physical Description
Photograph : silver print ; Ht: 13,5 cm x W: 8,5 cm
Date
October 27, 1948
Language
German
English
Notes
Black and white photo of the memorial for the Warsaw Ghetto in 1948. Jagged outline. Narrative: Sonia Smolnik-Aronowicz-Tencer was born in 1915, in Vilnius, formerly part of Poland. Her family has lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. The city was under the Soviet occupation when the Nazis invaded on June 22, 1941. In September 1941, Sonia and her family were deported to the Vilnius ghetto, created by the Nazis to dehumanize and exploit the Jews. They remained there until 1943, when the men and women were separated. It was the last time she saw her brother, Ariye, and her husband, Misha. In the ghetto of Vilnius, Sonia befriended Miriam and Minya (Miriam's sister-in-law). Together, they made a pact to help each other survive the war. Their friendship and alliance represent a form of resistance against the abuse they suffered in the ghetto and labor camps. The same year, Sonia's parents went into hiding. Sonia and her two friends were then deported to the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia where they were used as forced labor. In 1945, they were deported to Bromberg-Ost, a women's annex of the Stutthof concentration camp where they were forced to build German railroads and barracks. The camp was liquidated on January 20, 1945, 300 survivors set off on a death march to Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg. Sonia managed to escape. She spent the next few weeks hiding in abandoned German houses before her liberation by the Soviet Army. On the day of her liberation near Pomerania, a Soviet soldier gave Sonia a necklace as a symbol of hope and comfort. He told her she would be able to wear jewelry again one day. After the war, Sonia reunited with her two friends. Miriam then immigrated to Boston where she became an administrative assistant in the Chemistry Department at Harvard. Minya remained in France, where she married and had two sons. Sonia arrived in Canada aboard the ship Samaria in 1950.
Accession No.
2020.10.03
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Table runner

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn47809
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Table runner : knitted, braided : beige
Date
1920-1940
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Table runner : knitted, braided : beige
Other Title Information
Household Accessory
Date
1920-1940
Physical Condition
Good
Notes
Rectangular shaped with 3 inner borders made of silk-like braide; the middle border has another outline of non-shiney cord surrounding the silk braid. In between each border is a knitted section. Narrative: This table runner was used by Smolnick family in Pazece (Poland) prior to the war. The family owned a distillery and sold beer and lemonade. This item was burried in an empty barrel during the war and retrieved after the war by their daughter Sonia (donor's mother).
Accession No.
2003.19.03
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Places
Pazece, Poland, Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Titre d'identité et de voyage

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn113343
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
textual record
Physical Description
Identification card : printed, handwritten, stamped : beige, green, red, black, blue ; Ht: 12,5 cm x W: 8,8 cm
Date
-February 17, 1951
Collection
MONTREAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
Description Level
Item
Material Type
textual record
Physical Description
Identification card : printed, handwritten, stamped : beige, green, red, black, blue ; Ht: 12,5 cm x W: 8,8 cm
Date
-February 17, 1951
Language
French
Polish
Notes
Identification and travel card, including 18 pages (without the cover). The left corner on the top and the right corner on the bottom are red. The cover is beige and the pages are in pastel green. The first and second page contain personal information about Sonia Aronowicz (place of birth and domicile and physical appearence). The third page has a picture of her. The card was issued from February the 17, 1950 till February the 16, 1951. It contains an exit permit from France and an entry permit for Canada. Narrative: Sonia Smolnik-Aronowicz-Tencer was born in 1915, in Vilnius, formerly part of Poland. Her family has lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. The city was under the Soviet occupation when the Nazis invaded on June 22, 1941. In September 1941, Sonia and her family were deported to the Vilnius ghetto, created by the Nazis to dehumanize and exploit the Jews. They remained there until 1943, when the men and women were separated. It was the last time she saw her brother, Ariye, and her husband, Misha. In the ghetto of Vilnius, Sonia befriended Miriam and Minya (Miriam's sister-in-law). Together, they made a pact to help each other survive the war. Their friendship and alliance represent a form of resistance against the abuse they suffered in the ghetto and labor camps. The same year, Sonia's parents went into hiding. Sonia and her two friends were then deported to the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia where they were used as forced labor. In 1945, they were deported to Bromberg-Ost, a women's annex of the Stutthof concentration camp where they were forced to build German railroads and barracks. The camp was liquidated on January 20, 1945, 300 survivors set off on a death march to Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg. Sonia managed to escape. She spent the next few weeks hiding in abandoned German houses before her liberation by the Soviet Army. On the day of her liberation near Pomerania, a Soviet soldier gave Sonia a necklace as a symbol of hope and comfort. He told her she would be able to wear jewelry again one day. After the war, Sonia reunited with her two friends. Miriam then immigrated to Boston where she became an administrative assistant in the Chemistry Department at Harvard. Minya remained in France, where she married and had two sons. Sonia arrived in Canada aboard the ship Samaria in 1950.
Accession No.
2020X.10.09
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Places
France, Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Less detail

Turtle-neck jersey

https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn47808
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Sweater : knitted, sewn, machine : beige, grey-blue
Date
1920-1940
Collection
Montreal Holocaust Museum
Description Level
Item
Material Type
object
Physical Description
Sweater : knitted, sewn, machine : beige, grey-blue
Other Title Information
Clothing, Outerwear
Date
1920-1940
Physical Condition
Good
Notes
Short sleeved sweater with a beige bodice and a grey-blue turtleneck, sleeves and bottom hem. Narrative: Sweater was worn by Sonia Smolnick before the war. This item was burried in an empty barrel during the war and retrieved after the war by Sonia (donor's mother). Sonia Aronowicz was born in 1915 in Vilnius, Poland (today Lithuania). Her family had lived in Vilnius for many generations. She was married to a lawyer named Misha Aronowicz and studied to become an accountant. In 1941, after the Nazis invaded the region, Sonia and her family were sent to the Vilnius ghetto. The ghetto was liquidated in September 1943 and men and women were separated. This was the last time Sonia saw her husband Misha and her younger brother Ariye. Her parents went into hiding. Sonia was deported along with her friend, Miriam and Miriam’s sister-in-law, Minya. The three of them made a pact to always stay together. This gave them strength. Together they worked successively in the concentration camps of Riga-Kaiserwald and Riga-Strasdenhof in Latvia, and Stutthof and Bromberg-Ost (in Bydgoszcz), Poland. Their work was very demanding, they built rails for trains and hauled wood to build barracks. Sonia was then sent on a death march and was eventually liberated by Soviet soldiers in Pomorze, Poland.
Accession No.
2003.19.02
Name Access
Tencer, Naomi
Places
Pazece, Poland, Europe
Archival / Genealogical
Archival Descriptions
Repository
Montreal Holocaust Museum
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