Former Jawne student Jona Hatsor (formerly Jonas Koenigshoefer) and the Jawne Memorial and Educational Center were closely connected through various projects between 2007 and his death in April 2015. The five children of the Koenigshoefer family attended Moriah Elementary School, and sons Samuel and Jonas later attended Jawne High School.
In reviewing the extensive estate of Jona Hatsor, various documents directly related to teaching at Jawne were found in the form of exercise books, textbooks, separate essays, linoleum prints, and drawings. Some of these very special and valuable documents are now on public display for the first time. We have been able to make high-quality reproductions of Jonas’ exercise books and some of his drawings. In the light of the almost complete erasure of the history of the Jawne and the Jewish center that was located on St. Apern Street, the testimonies of the creative activity and learning that took place at this site are of the utmost importance.
In addition to a series of individual photographs by photo enthusiast Jonas, annotated reproductions of three very different photo albums are on display, including the lovingly prepared documentation of a trip to Palestine in 1936, which he won in an essay contest when he was only fifteen years old.
Letters and postcards provide insight into the lives and development of the siblings, who arrived in England on Kindertransports. Due to the strict censorship, their mother Else could not express her despair and tried to hide the description of her personal situation and the conditions in Germany between the lines.
Other documents give information about Jonas’ voluntary service as soldier in the British Army as well as about the arrest, deportation and murder of his parents – Else and Leo Koenigshoefer – in Auschwitz.
We appreciate your interest!
Group tours are also possible outside of opening hours by prior arrangement. Please send your inquiries by e-mail to info@jawne.de