Joanne in Berlin 2016

Joanne is in Berlin, ailing from an infection she may have caught in Budapest. She is looking to visit the Berlin locations where our Ringel relatives lived their lives during the 1930s—namely the Ringel apartment at Schüterstrasse 12, the orthodox synagogue Hermann Ringel attended, the Weissensee cemetery where he is buried, possibly the school that Helga attended.

Today, she visited the address of the synagogue on Pestalozzistrasse, near to the apartment, which Helga had mentioned in her interview for Walter's Ruby Family Narratives. However, all she finds is a plaque on the wall and a cluster of memorial Stolpersteine in the street.

The synagogue is marked but not here now to see.  Do we think Herman came to this shul? I have not had time to find out if these stone markers are here because they were members of this shul or if this was later a large apartment building.  The dates of deportation vary.  Chilling.  We later saw other gold stones.  Need to read more about it.

Dan replies to Joanne questions about the synagogue:

I don't think I have anything about their synagogue. As for the address, see the attached 1937 phone directory page with both home and business listings. The home listing reads "Kfm. Chlb 2, Schlüterstraße 12". Kfm is short for Kaufmann, or merchant. Chlb is Charlottenburg. The 2 could be a division of Charlottenburg, or possibly it is an apartment number. That's the best I have on the apartment. 

The business listing reads "Herrenkonf. en gros", which means wholesale ready-made men's wear. Some earlier listings also mention boy's clothing. The business address is Memhardstraße 12. There are similar listings in 1935, 1937 and 1938. Earlier listings from the mid to late 20s show a business address at Alexanderstr. 55 and a couple of other home addresses. Both business addresses are in the old Stralauer district, which was later in East Berlin. The district was heavily damaged in the war and was rebuilt with Stalinist high rise apartments.

I am also finding listings for S. Ringel, who could be Hermann's father Schija. The last listing for him is 1928, which might indicate a death date. The listings identify him as a butter wholesaler. Whether this S. is our relative is uncertain but we can be fairly sure of the Hermann info.

Dan, it's a beautiful building.  The front door was open.  There is construction going on, but I didn't find a person to talk to.  I phoned and sent email just now to the agent showing the units.  Hope to hear back so we can tour and see how much is left from the 20s-30s. - Jo

There are two Hermann Ringel businesses listed in this database that was fairly recently compiled at Humboldt University in Berlin. The second one has a partner's name, Reichenthal, that is new to us.

The compilers produced a wonderful museum exhibit and catalog titled "Final Sale in Berlin" that tells the story of expropiation and profiles about 25 or so businesses. The exhibit was first shown at Humboldt University and later traveled to several places, including the Leo Baeck Institute in New York. Unfortunately, it is not now on display. However, you can browse through the book at the link. 

• Hermann Ringel & Co, Herren-, Burschen- und Jünglingskonfektion
  Herren-, Burschen- und Jünglingskonfektion (textiles and clothing)
  Founded 1924 , Possession Transfer 1938 , Liq.: 1939
  Memhardstrasse 12 (Mitte)
• Reichenthal & Ringel Herrenkonfection Engros-Export
  Herrenkonfection Engros-Export (textiles and clothing)
  Founded 1919 , Liq.: 1939
  Schönhauser Allee 8 (Mitte)

https://www2.hu-berlin.de/djgb/www/about?language=en_US