Of the 37,000 Jews who fled German in 1933 as a result of the Nazi government‘s anti-Jewish and anti-democratic policies, only 1,400 at most immigrated to the United States. The main reason for this small number is that the majority of Jews chose to settle in neighboring countries in the hope and belief that the Nazi regime would be short-lived and they would soon be able to return to Germany. The second largest group went to Palestine. But another explanation is that the US government was unwilling to let in a large number of immigrants because the country was still feeling the effects of the international economic crisis. In fact, it was not until 1939 that the US government began meeting the quota it had set for immigrants from Germany and Austria and admitting 27,000 per year.

In order to immigrate to the United States these refugees required an affidavit of support. With it an American citizen personally pledged to look after an immigrant so that he or she would not become a burden to the state. The affidavit shown here was submitted by Manuel and Ilse Schwartz on 6 November 1933 on behalf of Ilse‘s mother, Alwine Kornstein, who lived in Breslau. In it Manuel Schwartz provided information about his work, income and savings. The couple, who lived in Brooklyn, also swore under oath that they were willing and able to support Alwine Kornstein at all times and guaranteed that she would not become a public charge to any city or municipality in the United States.

Manuel and Ilse Schwartz had only recently become American citizens themselves. Manuel, who had immigrated to the US as a child in 1909, was naturalized in 1928. Ilse did not take on American citizenship until September 1933, after becoming eligible due to her marriage the previous year.

Alwine Kornstein‘s application was accepted and in April 1934 she immigrated to the United States together with her son, the doctor Adolf Kornstein, and his wife, Suse. We do not know whether Manuel and Ilse Schwartz also signed affidavits for them, but it is documented that Adolf Kornstein brought with him the considerable sum of 5,000 dollars.

Seven years later, thanks to the efforts of their daughter and son-in-law, Suse Kornstein‘s parents, Julian and Margarete Rosenthal, also left Germany. Escaping imminent disaster at the last minute, they arrived in New York in mid-September 1941.

Alwine Kornstein became an American citizen in April 1945. She never returned to Germany.

Aubrey Pomerance

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STATE OF NEW YORK
CITY OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF KINGS

We, Manuel Schwartz and Ilse Schwartz, his wife, both residing at 1122 Avenue N, Brooklyn, New York, being duly sworn, depose and say:

That we are both naturalized citizens of these United States as indicated by our certificates of naturalization, issued by the United States District Court of Brooklyn and numbered respectively 2687508 and 3734364.

That I, Manuel Schwartz, am a partner in a retail business of ladies and infants wear, which said business is conservatively estimated to be worth Thirty-five thousand ($35,000) dollars and affords me currently a weekly salary of Seventy-five ($75) dollars; and that in addition, I have a savings bank account of some Eight hundred ($800) dollars.

That we, Manuel Schwartz an Ilse Schwartz, are most desirous of having our mother-in-law and mother respectively, Alwine Kornstein, residing at Breslau, Gartenstr. 49, Germany, come and join us here.

That we are ready and willing to support our mother-in-law and mother respectively at all times and are ready and willing to post any guarantee that may be required by the authorities and in accordance with their requirement.

That further, we will at no time allow our said mother-in-law and mother respectively to become a public charge to any city or municipality in the United States.

That this affidavit is made for the purpose of inducing the American Consul in granting the said Alwine Kornstein an immigration visa, so that she may immigrate to this country, your deponents knowing full well that the said American Consul will rely on the truthfulness of the statements herein made under oath.

(Signed by Ilse Schwartz)
(Signed by Manuel Schwartz)

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 6th day of November, 1933.

(Signature)
(Stamp)