APRIL 2019
Artifact of the month of April 2019
Diary
Joseph Siew (1876 – 1942)
Joseph Siew was born in Raseiniai, Lithuania. He was educated from a Yeshiva (Jewish religious school) and came to Norway in 1897, together with his mother Dora and sister Marie. During the years 1910 to 1916 he travelled across Norway as a salesman, where he stayed for a long period of time in the northernmost parts of the country. Between 1934 and 1937 he was the leader of the Mosaic Congregation in Oslo. In 1927 Joseph married Sarah Rebecca Dworsky (b. 1890 in Gothenburg).
On the 26th of October 1942 Joseph Siew was arrested by the Norwegian state police. One month later, November 26th he was deported on the transport ship “Donau” to Stettin in Germany, and from there to Auschwitz-Birkenau. On arrival Joseph Siew was sent directly to the gas chamber and killed. His wife Sarah and sister Marie Berger where also deported and murdered in Auschwitz.
The diary is written by Joseph Siew between April 1st, 1912 and August 21st, 1914. It tells of the years travelling across Norway and gives a unique insight into local, cultural relations, as well as the author’s own impressions and experiences. Life as a travelling salesman wasn’t always easy and the longing for friends and family was at the core. On the last page of the diary Joseph wrote: And at the same time, I’d like to express a wish for my destiny to improve so that I can live in peace and tranquillity and without worries with my dear family. Amen!
The diary is a gift to the Oslo Jewish Museum from Harry Sam Selikowitz
Photo: «The golden Diploma of Keren Kajemeth's», is given to Secretary General Dr. Chr. L. Lange, by John Jacobsen on the 14th of April 1935. Joseph Siew is standing to the right.