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Mordka Gutman, born on 25 September 1907 in Piotrkow (Poland), registered in Belgium on 4 May 1930. He left Poland to come and work as a tailor in Brussels. His first residence is in Joseph Claesstraat in Sint-Gillis, but he soon moves to Violetstraat. As a tailor he can start working in Sint-Laurensstraat. In March 1931 Mordka moved to 61, Denemarkenstraat, where he started working for Mr Vandervorst.
Estera Najberger, born on 27 December 1912 in Zarnow (Poland), arrived in Belgium a few months after Mordka. She indicates that she wants to stay here permanently as she plans to marry Mordka. Their marriage finally takes place on 31 October 1931 in Sint-Gillis.
When Germany occupied Belgium in May 1940, several anti-Jewish laws were enacted. As a result, Estera and Mordka registered in the Jewish Register of Sint-Gillis on 30 November 1940. At that time they lived in the Rue de Merode. Estera joined the Jewish Defence Committee: a resistance network specialised in helping Jews, especially children, to go into hiding. Estera collected money and food coupons for the committee to help those in hiding survive.
Eventually, Estera and Mordka were arrested and on 2 June 1943 landed in the SS-Sammellager Mecheln. They were put on transport XXI and deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau on 31 July 1943, but only Estera survived. On arrival she is selected as a forced labourer. The number 51900 was tattooed on her arm. Estera survived several concentration camps and death marches. After her repatriation in 1945 she goes to live in Merodestraat again. In the 1970s she finally acquired Belgian nationality.
