These pages document the histories of hidden Jewish children Manfred Wildmann and Sylvia Birnbaum Wildmann and their families in Germany, France, and Belgium during World War II. Sylvia translated the wartime letters exchanged by Manfred’s family members as they attempted to survive in France. Later, she published her own memoirs about her childhood in Germany, escape to Belgium, and life as a hidden child.

Descendants’ Visit to Philippsburg 2015

The city council, museum officials, a journalist and some other locals, including translators, gave us a tour of the town – arranged by Deiter Haas, a local historian who had been in touch with Manfred via his brother-in-law Herbert Kolb z.l., husband of Laure z.l.

The black wall plaque commemorates the synagogue, burned on Kristallnacht.
Meeting the mayor, Stefan Martus, Burgermeister of Philippsburg
City Council welcome
My father remembered that a statue was in a different place, a local confirmed that it had been moved.

While we were looking at it, this 96-year-old woman came out from a building across the street and said she remembered the synagogue, Kristallnacht, and Manfred's grandparents, who lived next door to the synagogue, and said she had been their shabbos goy.
While we were looking at it, this 96-year-old woman came out from a building across the street and said she remembered the synagogue, Kristallnacht, and Manfred’s grandparents, who lived next door to the synagogue, and said she had been their shabbos goy.
A plaque my father sponsored for the town museum. 21 Jews were deported; of the 6 that survived, 3 were my father and his two sisters.
The museum has rotating displays, they were highlighting 1938.
Deiter Haas, my parents, and Deiter’s wife.

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