Ilse B

Abstract

I set out for Ilse B.’s house in Grosse Borstel (western Hamburg) on a chilly Sunday in March. Our meeting was set for 10:00 A.M., but her home was far out and a friend and I got lost after departing from the train. After a few phone calls to Ilse, I figured out the location and arrived at 11:30. A wellpreserved, beautiful, and smiling older woman opened the door. Ilse was tall and thin with fine white hair. She dressed as if ready for church: She wore an exquisite peach cashmere sweater, a wool brown-blue skirt, and carefully chosen jewelry. She was not bothered by the delay, but her nervousness was immediately discernible. It took some time to arrange ourselves in separate chairs. I was conscious of her jewelry the entire interview: the pearl circle pin, green-colored pearls, black onyx ring, green coral bracelet, and a large watch. Her house with its cherry furniture and four Oriental rugs, like herself, exuded expensive taste. Pictures of her two grandchildren, both with dark hair, and four colorful paintings and sketches, one of her daughter, dominated the room. She had numerous animal china pieces—a goose with a blue ribbon and a yellow egg candle, and two dogs—and a collection of thimbles and old books.

“I was treated differently because I looked Aryan. That helped me a great deal”