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The "Exodus 1947," a refugee ship with 4,500 Jewish passengers, docks at Haifa port. The British deny the passengers entry into Palestine. UNSCOP chairman Emil Sandstroem (at left) observes. July 19, 1947.
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On May 25, 1939, artist Moritz Schoenberger sent this radiogram (a telegram sent by radio) from the ocean liner "St. Louis" during the voyage from Hamburg, Germany, to Havana, Cuba. On this voyage, the "St. Louis" carried over 900 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. The telegram reads, in part, "Physically and spiritually recovered and invigorated most confident about reaching Havana Saturday. Money received. Many thanks. Kisses. Papa." Schoenberger's optimism proved unfounded. Cuban authorities refused entry to the refugees. After the United States also denied entry to the passengers, the "St. Louis" was forced to return to Europe. During the return voyage, Great Britain, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands agreed to accept the Jewish refugees. French authorities interned Mr. Schoenberger in southern France.
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Radiogram from Moritz Schoenberger on the "St. Louis"
Soviet authorities issued this receipt, in Russian, to Moshe Zupnik for the rubles they confiscated from him before he left the Soviet Union. Soviet authorities routinely confiscated most rubles and other valuables from Jewish refugees before they boarded steamers bound for Japan and left the Soviet Union. Vladivostok, Soviet Union, January 22, 1941. [From the USHMM special exhibition Flight and Rescue.]
Document
Receipt for items confiscated from Moshe Zupnik
The Jacobsthal family poses with an aunt and uncle who are visiting their home in Amsterdam before emigrating to Chile. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, February 1938.
Article
Refuge in Latin America
Jewish refugees in Lisbon, including a group of children from internment camps in France, board a ship that will transport them to the United States. Lisbon, Portugal, June 1941.
Article
Refugees
Refugees crowd the rail of the Aliyah Bet ("illegal" immigration) ship Josiah Wedgewood, anchored at the Haifa port. British soldiers transported the passengers to the Athlit internment center. Palestine, June 27, 1946.
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Refugees aboard an Aliyah Bet ship
Refugees aboard the St. Louis wait to hear whether Cuba will grant them entry. Off the coast of Havana, Cuba, June 3, 1939.
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Refugees aboard the St. Louis
Media Essay
Refugees (Abridged Article) - Maps
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Refugees (Abridged Article) - Photograph
Media Essay
Refugees - Artifacts/Documents
Jewish refugees crowd together in the sleeping quarters aboard the Exodus 1947. July 1947,
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Refugees crowded aboard the Exodus 1947
In July 1947, 4,500 Jewish refugees left displaced persons camps in Germany and boarded the "Exodus 1947" in France. They attempted to sail to Palestine although they did not have permission from British authorities to land. The British intercepted the ship and forcibly returned the Jewish refugees to Germany. Here, Jews from the "Exodus 1947" are confined in Poppendorf, Germany. The plight of the "Exodus" passengers became a symbol of the struggle for open Jewish emigration to Palestine.
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Refugees from the "Exodus 1947"
Refugees from Nazi Germany on board the St. Louis en route to Cuba. The passengers were denied entry into Cuba and the US and were forced to return to Europe. 1939.
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Refugees on board the St. Louis
Media Essay
Refugees - Photograph
Media Essay
Refugees - ID Card/Oral History
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Refugees Today - Photograph
Refugees who were removed from the Exodus 1947 refugee ship walk to another ship which will return them to Europe. Haifa, Palestine, July 1947.
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Refugees who were removed from the Exodus 1947

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