Blue and silver HIAS pin worn by a Jewish Latvian youth during his postwar journey to the US 2013.474.2 back

HIAS badge worn by 19 year old Isaak Arcs during his October 1947 journey from Bremen to the United States. On July 1, 1941, Germany invaded Latvia. That summer 1941, Isaak was forced into the Riga ghetto with his parents, Moses and Tema, and three younger brothers, Rafael, Chona, and Aron. On December 8, 1941, Isaak’s mother and brothers were executed as part of the mass liquidation of the Riga ghetto. Isaak and his father were forced laborers in the small ghetto, until they were sent to Lenta labor camp in 1943. Around August 1944, Isaak and Moses were deported to Stutthof concentration camp. In October, they were sent to Burggraben and worked for the Schichau-Werft shipyard in Danzig. In December 1944 or early 1945, they were sent on a forced march to Goddentow. On March 9, 1945, the prisoners were ordered on another march, but Isaak and Moses escaped into the woods. They were liberated by Soviet forces on March 10. After living in Landsberg displaced persons camp, Isaak emigrated to the US in 1947. Moses joined him in 1949.

HIAS badge worn by 19 year old Isaak Arcs during his October 1947 journey from Bremen to the United States. On July 1, 1941, Germany invaded Latvia. That summer 1941, Isaak was forced into the Riga ghetto with his parents, Moses and Tema, and three younger brothers, Rafael, Chona, and Aron. On December 8, 1941, Isaak’s mother and brothers were executed as part of the mass liquidation of the Riga ghetto. Isaak and his father were forced laborers in the small ghetto, until they were sent to Lenta labor camp in 1943. Around August 1944, Isaak and Moses were deported to Stutthof concentration camp. In October, they were sent to Burggraben and worked for the Schichau-Werft shipyard in Danzig. In December 1944 or early 1945, they were sent on a forced march to Goddentow. On March 9, 1945, the prisoners were ordered on another march, but Isaak and Moses escaped into the woods. They were liberated by Soviet forces on March 10. After living in Landsberg displaced persons camp, Isaak emigrated to the US in 1947. Moses joined him in 1949.