Pepper-Eisen Family Collection. 1905-1963 Bulk dates: 1933-1953

This collection documents the experiences of the Eisen and Pepper (formerly Pieprzynski) families from the late 20th century to the 1950s. The papers mainly concern Emma Eisen née Lowenthal, Benno Eisen, Dora Pepper née Eisen, and Saul Pepper. Included are vital records, immigration and naturalization records, restitution papers, correspondence, photographs, a family tree, and miscellaneous items. Also included are a few posters from Baruch Sperber, a music teacher and composer related to the Eisen family.Emma Eisen née Lowenthal was born on December 2, 1891 in Freystadt, West Prussia (today Kisielice, Poland). She married the tailor Pinkas Eisen (born October 1, 1887 in Rawa) on October 24, 1911. They lived in Berlin, where they had two children. Their son Benno Eisen was born on August 1, 1912 and worked as a tailor. Their daughter Dora Eisen was born April 21, 1918 and completed an apprenticeship to become a dressmaker from 1933-1937.As the situation for Jewish families worsened, the Eisens began to seek ways of leaving Germany. In 1939, Benno started to learn agriculture in an effort to become a better candidate for emigration. About the same time, Dora lost her regular job as a dressmaker and worked as forced labor in an arms factory from 1940-1943. In 1943, Dora and her mother Emma, who were both living in Berlin, decided to stay in hiding in order to escape deportation. Benno joined them a few months later after escaping deportation at a farm where he had been working. Emma was discovered by the police on June 27, 1943 and sent to Birkenau (Auschwitz), where she perished. Dora and Benno hid in various homes in and around Berlin from 1943-1945. In 1947 they immigrated to the United States under the sponsorship of the United Service for New Americans.Also in April of 1947, Dora’s future husband, Saul Pepper, arrived in the United States. Saul Pepper was born Szloma Pieprzynski on September 21, 1910 in Wloclawek, Poland to Zysel Pieprzynski and his wife Bajla née Kowalska. He changed his name to Saul Pepper when he arrived in the United States. Saul worked as a grocery clerk and bought his own grocery store in New York City in May of 1948. Saul and Dora married on October 2, 1948. Their son Peter Barry Pepper was born on September 8, 1949. Saul Pepper passed away in January of 1979 and Dora in February of 1987.Baruch Sperber, a relative of the Eisen family and a noted singer, musician, and composer perished in the Holocaust.Processeddigitize