Search
Hansi Gerstl (°02/01/1913, Vienna) fled from Germany to Belgium together with her son Max (°13/11/1935, Vienna) and sister Rosa (°17/08/1918, Vienna). On 4 December 1938 the women and Max crossed the border on foot. They came from Aachen and settled in Saint-Gilles. Hansi goes to live with Jakob Soel alias Sloim (°10/05/1884, Dorchoi in Romania). Presumably the two were religiously married. Hansi would like to stay in Belgium for a long time with her son, but is urged to migrate further. To be able to travel she receives a travel pass from the Jewish Refugee Council. This pass is valid until 30 June 1939. Hansi does not leave the country, but settles in rue Emile Feron in Sint-Gillis in November 1939. In Sint-Gillis mother and son regularly changed addresses.
On 10 May 1940 Germany invaded Belgium and the occupying authorities introduced an anti-Jewish policy. As a result of this policy Hansi registers with the Jewish Register on 15 January 1941. She also became a member of the Brussels Jewish Association. At that time she lived in Vanderhaegenstraat together with Jakob Sloim and her son Max. On 3 June 1943 Jakob, Hansi and Max were registered at the SS-Sammellager Mecheln. On 20 September 1943 the three were deported with transport XXIIA to Auschwitz-Birkenau. At this time Max was only seven years old. Mother and son were sent to the gas chamber immediately upon arrival. None of the family members survived the war.
