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Jenni Kahn (née Pincus) * 1877

Isestraße 98 (Eimsbüttel, Harvestehude)

1942 Theresienstadt
1944 Auschwitz
ermordet

further stumbling stones in Isestraße 98:
Emma Cohn, Anna Friedmann, Sallo Friedmann, Amalie Hirschel, Johannes Kahn

Jenni Kahn, née Pincus, born on 10 Mar. 1877 in Hamburg, deported on 19 July 1942 to Theresienstadt, deported further on 15 May 1944 to Auschwitz
Johannes Kahn, born on 13 Dec. 1870 in Hamburg, deported on 19 July 1942 to Theresienstadt, died there on 1 Mar. 1944

Jenni and Johannes Kahn were both born in Hamburg. They had been married since 1898 and probably joined in marriage according to Protestant rites. Jenni, perhaps even both of them, belonged to the Protestant Church. Since in accordance with the "Nuremberg laws” [on race], they were deemed Jews and therefore, were forced to become members of the "Reich Association of Jews in Germany” ("Reichsvereinigung der Juden in Deutschland”), they joined its local branch, the Hamburg Jewish Community, in Nov. 1939.

Jenni and Johannes Kahn had two daughters. The older one, Margot, born in 1899, emigrated with her "Aryan” fiancé to the USA via Denmark in 1938. Her sister, two years her junior, still lived with her parents in 1938, though she probably was married and moved to Riga before the end of the year. Concerning her fate, we know only from the information of her sister in the restitution file that she did not survive the Shoah.

Johannes Kahn was a merchant. He owned the M. Blümer & Co. Company on Kleine Reichenstrasse, a business specializing in the import and export as well as the manufacture of preserved egg products.

On 7 Oct. 1938, Johannes Kahn filled out the "questionnaire for emigrants” for the Chief Finance Administration (Oberfinanzdirektion). He intended to go on a "fact-finding trip” to New York to determine whether he would be able to build a new life. If the journey proved successful, he intended to emigrate with his wife and daughter Doris.

One week later, he was forced to give notice that his company was in liquidation. Probably, this was an "Aryanization.” His assets were put under security order ("Sicherungsanordnung”), i.e., his accounts were blocked and the authorities stipulated a monthly allowance at his disposal. He was forced to apply separately for any additional expenses.

On the first application, the address listed was still on Agnesstrasse, where the family had lived together. At this point, a journey began through several quarters. At first, in Apr. 1939, the couple moved into what was still an apartment of their own on the fourth floor of Isestrasse 98. In October, the Kahns rented out a room. However, the 45 RM (reichsmark) in rental income did not help them at all, since the sum had to be deposited into the blocked account as well.

Until July 1941, repeatedly applications turned up toward the granting of funds in connection with plans to emigrate. It is impossible to discern why these plans failed.

On 23 Aug. 1941, Johannes Kahn then dutifully announced to the authorities the move to Heilwigstrasse – as subtenants, and half a year later to Eppendorfer Baum.

In the very end, Johannes and Jenni Kahn were forced to move to Grindelallee 101. They were taken to Theresienstadt on the transport departing on 19 July 1942. There, Johannes Kahn died on 1 Mar. 1944, at the age of 74. Jenni Kahn was sent to Auschwitz on Transport Dz on 15 May 1944 and murdered there.

Translator: Erwin Fink

Kindly supported by the Hermann Reemtsma Stiftung, Hamburg.

Stand: October 2016
© Christa Fladhammer

Quellen: 1; 2; 8; AfW 171199.
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