In Memorium

Danielle Charak

Melbourne’s ‘Yiddish treasure’ Danielle Charak and child survivor, who has been remembered for her warmth, positivity and wisdom.

Charak was born in Brussels in 1939 and when the war came to Belgium, she was put in the care of a non-Jewish family, who looked after her for a year until 1944. She was reunited with her parents and older sister, the late Floris Kalman, after the war and the family moved to Melbourne in 1949.

Charak taught at Mount Scopus, and for many years wrote the Yiddish VCE exam, and was recognised internationally as a Yiddish scholar.

Oscar Hoffman

Original member of the CSH Melbourne Group, Oscar was a Buchenwald Boy. One of 900 boys aged 8 – 18 who survived the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp. Liberated; April 11, 1945. Oscar, assisted by the Red Cross arrived at a Displaced Person’s camp in France, where he met the great love of his life CSH, Eleyan. Married in Paris; the couple eventually made their way to Australia.

Dr. Margit Korn

I came to know Margit when I became Chairperson for the CSH group, 2013. Our friendship blossomed from that time until Margit’s passing. Margit was an avid reader of Connections, no sooner had her emailed copy arrived her critique landed in my inbox. ‘Excellent edition Viv!’

I have her framed photo on my desk; she spurs me on to this day – Viv Parry

Eva Balogh

Born in Hungary, Eva left after the Revolution arriving in Australia to start her new life. 

Being one of the original Child Survivors of the Holocaust Group Eva attended every meeting in those formative years of the CSH group. 

Feeling safe amongst her own Eva told her CSH story to the members confessing it was the first time in her life she had ever said she was Jewish. 

On behalf of the CSH Melbourne Group, we send our condolences to the Balogh family; Eva will be remembered for her dedication to the group as well as her passion for all child survivor related issues. 

Bernadette Gore. (Founding Committee member CSH) 

Marietta Elliott Kleerkoper

Marietta is remembered warmly for her passion for the CSH group, including her contributions to the CSH Anthologies, meetings and events. Marietta: Author, teacher, photographer, story teller and keeper, loyal friend, staunch ally, proud “Dutchie”.

Poet whose words are everlasting, Mar was all of the above and so much more.

Eva Marks

Much loved original CSH founding member Eva left her stamp indelibly on the CSH group. Her dedication and inspirational ideas contributed to some of the most memorable events. The CSH patchwork wall hanging (to be displayed in the new MHM Children’s museum) and the CSH Time Capsule are two important contributions. We will miss Eva’s famous jokes, her observations about life and stories of her much-loved family, especially her life partner Stan.

Susi Sambor

Susi Sambor was a very warm, loving and generous person. Susie was a very loyal and caring friend and when I got engaged Susi came to help prepare for the party. I last saw Susi when she visited the Melbourne Holocaust Museum in 2019. I remember thinking how even as she was becoming frailer she still had a beautiful smile and face.

Rae Silverstein, MHM Volunteer Coordinator.

Anne Gouttman

“Anna (Anne) Gouttman, born in Krakow on 19 July 1939, sadly died on 25 February 2020. To all who knew her, she was a loving, kind and generous friend. Although her light has now been forever extinguished, her memory fervently lives in the minds of so many.

Anna was an ever-faithful member and supporter of the Child survivor Melbourne Group.

Dr Rodney Gouttman

Floris Kalman

Floris was the second CSH President taking over from our founding President Paul Valent; her love for her fellow CSH members and the group knew no boundaries.

Often called upon to speak at CSH seminars and special occasions, Floris was always reluctant to take the offer but on the day her carefully chosen words, humility and optimism always won over the audience. Floris left wonderful memories for all of us who were privileged to know her.

Danka Schnall

Born to a Jewish family, in Galicia’s oil industry, this beautiful woman, orphaned at 12 survived multiple concentration camps alone. After marrying David Schnall in Italy, they had 2 children in Melbourne. David died at 57 but she delighted in 2 grandsons & gained deep satisfaction & solace guiding here with friends for 20+ years.