Wadja Fenigson

Wadja Fenigson emigrated from Poland to Borgerhout, near Antwerp, with his wife Cyrla Ejzenberg and their six-month-old son Samuel in 1926. Wadja was the breadwinner; he ran a clothes store for several years with his brother-in-law. 

The Fenigson family was in Antwerp when the occupation began. They took refuge in France in 1942. Wadja was probably arrested separately, while his wife and son were held together. Cyrla and Samuel were interned at Nexon and later at Rivesaltes. They were deported to the east via Transport 33 on 16 September 1942. Mother and son were separated in Cosel, where Samuel Fenigson (16) was ordered off the train. Cyrla Ejzenberg (39) had to continue the journey. There is no further trace of her after arrival at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Samuel was used as a slave labourer at several camps and was repatriated in 1945. 

Wadja Fenigson (41) was sent to Drancy following his arrest, and was deported from there on 23 September 1942 via Transport 36 to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Like his son, he was ordered off the train in Cosel, at which point all trace of him disappears. Neither Wadja Fenigson nor Cyrla Ejzenberg survived deportation.