Blue and silver HIAS pin worn by a Jewish Latvian youth during his postwar journey to the US 2013.474.2 front
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States
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.
- Title: Blue and silver HIAS pin worn by a Jewish Latvian youth during his postwar journey to the US 2013.474.2 front
- Provenance: The pin was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Jack Ratz., The pin was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2013 by Jack Ratz.
- Subject Keywords: Concentration camp inmates--Germany--Biography. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Latvia--Riga--Personal narratives. Holocaust survivors--United States--Biography. Jewish children in the Holocaust--Latvia--Biography. Jewish refugees--United States--Biography. Jews--Persecution--Latvia--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--United States--Personal narratives., Concentration camp inmates--Germany--Biography. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Latvia--Riga--Personal narratives. Holocaust survivors--United States--Biography. Jewish children in the Holocaust--Latvia--Biography. Jewish refugees--United States--Biography. Jews--Persecution--Latvia--Biography. World War, 1939-1945--Refugees--United States--Personal narratives.
- Type: Identifying Artifacts, Identifying Artifacts
- Rights: Permanent Collection, Permanent Collection
- External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Medium: Circular, silver colored metal pin with raised silver text on a blue painted field: HIAS in the top border, and in Hebrew below, around a raised circle with BREMEN 1947. On the back is a C clasp with straight pin and an embossed maker's mark., Circular, silver colored metal pin with raised silver text on a blue painted field: HIAS in the top border, and in Hebrew below, around a raised circle with BREMEN 1947. On the back is a C clasp with straight pin and an embossed maker's mark.
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