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Istanbul, June 22, 1945
Dear Mrs. Helene,
I am forwarding a telegram to you from San Francisco and letting you know that I took the same document to the American Consulate and spoke to Mr. Mac Vigor, the Vice Consul, about your case.
I was told that at this time these matters cannot be handled; registrations will however, start on July 15. I was told to come back then.
Mr. Mac Vigor might be willing to meet with you; below, I give you his address and his office hours in case you want to pay him a visit.
Extending you my best greetings, I remain
Your
Yomtov CohenAddress
Mr. Mac Vigor
Vice Consul
American Embassy
Beyoglu, Mesrutiyet Caddesi
Office Hours: Mornings, 10 a.m. – noon
Afternoons, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Joint Distribution Committee (the Joint) had taken on the expense and responsibility for Jewish prisoners who had been freed in a prisoner trade and brought to Istanbul. However, their funds were limited and they did everything they could to resettle the prisoners and if possible reunite them with their family as soon as they could.
On the back of the letter is a note Helene drafted in English saying “Not allowed stay here any longer. Affidavit urgent or shall be sent to Palestine.” I assume this was the contents of a telegram she sent to Eva in San Francisco. The affidavit must have been provided, since Helene remained in Istanbul until she was able to come to the U.S. in 1946.
It seems cruel and unfair that after years of being trapped in Vienna and the horror of Ravensbrück, Helene could not escape bureaucracy, penury, and isolation. Rather than feeling joy and relief, she found herself sent down an unending rabbit hole of complications and delays.
Earlier this year (see posts from January 14 and January 26), we saw other efforts by Vitali’s relative Yomtov Cohen to help Helene. It must have been heartening to know that despite her difficulties, she had an ally.