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Marianne y Jane: la historia de unas amigas por correspondencia
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Marianne y Jane: la historia de unas amigas por correspondencia

A Letter from Marianne Winter: A Story of Friendship and Escape

The Joy of Connection

  • Marianne Winter expresses her happiness upon receiving a letter from her friend Jane Bomberger, highlighting the importance of friendship during difficult times.

The Context of Persecution

  • Marianne discusses the dire situation for Jews in Austria following the Nazi annexation, emphasizing the daily harassment and persecution faced by her family.

Public Sentiment and Restrictions

  • Despite some Austrians welcoming Hitler's regime, Jews like Marianne experienced severe restrictions and public humiliation, including an incident where she and her mother were forced to clean barracks.

Desperation for Escape

  • The Winter family is desperate to escape their increasingly dangerous situation. Jane lives in Pennsylvania and has never met Marianne but has been corresponding with her for three years.

Seeking Help for Immigration

  • Marianne requests Jane's assistance in finding a wealthy individual who could provide a financial affidavit necessary for their immigration to the United States, acknowledging that Jane’s family lacks sufficient funds.

Challenges of Immigration

  • Emigrating from Europe was fraught with challenges; many immigrants required affidavits from U.S. sponsors along with various documents, where any missing paperwork could restart the process.

Support from the Bomberger Family

  • Despite not knowing each other well, the Bomberger family agrees to sponsor the Winters after receiving their request for help amidst a waiting list of 140,000 people seeking U.S. visas.

A Critical Turning Point

  • After fleeing Vienna to Prague due to worsening conditions, the Winters face visa rejection because they are classified as friends rather than relatives by Joseph Bomberger’s affidavit.

Overcoming Obstacles

  • Joseph Bomberger promptly provides additional documentation proving his financial support capability, which ultimately leads to approval of visas by the U.S. consulate in Prague.

Arrival in America

  • The Winter family embarks on their journey to America aboard SS Conte di Savoia on January 6, 1939. They are welcomed by Jane and her father upon arrival in New York City.
Video description

Marianne Winter, de Viena, y Jane Bomberger, de Pennsylvania, habían sido amigas por correspondencia desde hacía varios años cuando los nazis tomaron el control de Austria en 1938. La familia de Marianne quería emigrar a Estados Unidos, pero necesitaban que un estadounidense los patrocinara económicamente. Marianne le preguntó a Jane si conocía a alguien que pudiera aportar el apoyo económico. La respuesta de Jane fue toda una sorpresa.