Vera Laroche Papers, 1900-2000 | Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

This Record Group combines documents and photographs reflectiong the life-story of Vera Laroche before, during and after the Second World War. Additionally there is a Collection of photo-documents of the various wartheaters of the First World War. The latter were collected by the previous generation of Veral Laroche family.

Collections of Veral Laroche's personal doucments and photographs, as well as official documents related to her, are a combined life-story of her through the prism of the geopolitical European realities in the prewar, wartime and postwar time.

The photo-documents of the First World War constitute a collection of its own right. It is inclued in this Record Group because of the family connection.

This Record Group contains personal testimonies, correspondence, certificates, photographs and albums. The time-span stretches from the first to the last decades of the 20^th century. There distinctively three life-time periods, namely: prewar, wartime and postwar immigration to the US.

The collection, included in this record group is the First World War photo-documents, depicting the various wartheaters is of its own right. These albums were composed by the previous generation of Vera Laroche (Levin) family members who fought in the fronts of the First World War.

A separate group comprises documents originating from other people but constituted Ms. Laroche’s personal archive. To such subdivision belongs a group of the documents from Theresienstadt ghetto.

Vera Laroche (born Vera Lewin) was born on 19 February 1912 in Berlin. Her father Berthold Levin was a well-acclaimed architect specializing in designing of exteriors and interiors for the stores. He also owned a Neon Lights Factory. The name of the family firm was I. Kaufman. Vera’s mother name was Lotti (born Lotti Kaul).

Vera’s recalls her childhood as a trouble-free time, full of parental care and fulfillments. “I was the only child and have always been given the best education, as my parents were financially well off. I had private tutors for foreign languages in order to give me the opportunity to travel with my parents to all parts of the world and to be able to study foreign people and their customs. A well balanced diet took care of my excellent health and also all kinds of sports like tennis, golf, swimming and especially horseback riding as I owned a horse.”

In 1918 Vera began attending Viktoria School in Berlin. In 1926, she transferred to Eichkamp School in the forest.

In 1931 Vera graduated (Graduation-Abiturium) and entered Freidrich-Wilhelm University to study dentistry.

In 1933, the Nazi regime forced her to leave the university. Vera began to write articles for a newspaper, although this did not last long. Anti-Jewish measures penetrated all spheres of German public life.

In 1935, Vera Laroche emigrated to Sweden and settled in Stockholm. Her parents also planned emigration to Sweden.

Life in Sweden was difficult: no permanent job, food shortage and separation from the parents. Vera Laroche decides to leave Sweden for France.

In 1936, Vera Laroche settled in Paris. She could not obtain employment without a work-permit. French authorities limited issuance of work-permits to minimum because of enormous influx of refugees.

Vera Laroche recalls: “I could have been able obtain a permit through special channels; but, being not willing to give up either my principles nor my ideals, I had to make a living without such a permit what was extremely dangerous.”

She continues: “I managed to make some money by night. I went with ties and stockings from one night club to another. At that time I started suffering from violent head-aches and dizzy symptoms, and often my head felt so strangely light, that I had to sit down right away.”

In 1937, Vera Laroche received recommendations from Stockholm. In addition with the intervention in the case of the French Prime Minister Léon Blum and the author and artist: Pau Faure she was granted a work-permit. Since then Vera Laroche began her career in French motion pictures. Overall, she received small parts, although castings were successful.

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, the Jewish refugees were placed in internment camps. Vera and her finance were interned in such camps. Vera Laroche found herself in the camp de Gurs.

In 1940, Vera and her fiancé managed to flee from the camps before the German took over. Wondering from place to place they stopped for a while in Marseilles. They undertook efforts for immigration to the USA, for what they registered in 1938. The immigration plans did not work out. On the contrary, the Vichy government issued a registration order with regard to all foreign refugees and the direct danger of being transferred under the German jurisdiction had become a reality.

Vera and her fiancé continued living clandestinely in Marseilles hiding from the Vichy police. Vera reached Paris to see the American consulate’s officials. On her way back she was arrested by the Vichy police. After transfer from prison to prison, she was jailed in Marseille. In 1940, Vera Laroche was transferred to Algiers by the Vichy authorities. It was almost a year before they took her to the court. As she learned later, the Vichy government held refugees like as hostages for the French prisoners in Germany.

In 1942, all prisoners of German origin were transferred under the Gestapo authority. Vera’s fiancé committed suicide. She was taken to Paris by the Gestapo. Vera Laroche escaped from the Gestapo custody by jumping out of the window.

In 1942, Vera Laroche learned that her parents were deported from Germany to Poland and killed there.

Vera Laroche survived under German occupation. It was a German officer, Major B. who continued to protect and help her almost to the end of the war. It was him who arranged her escape from the Gestapo custody. He hid her in the French hotels confiscated by the German authorities.

There were also other people who helped Vera Laroche survived the war. In this regard Vera speaks about Helga T., a German dentist from Bavaria, Dr. Wild. Once Vera and Helga were arrested for black-marketeering but since they denied everything, the Gestapo unexpectedly released them.

Towards the end of the German occupation of Paris, the searches even in the German-controlled hotel became a routine. Vera’s protector, the German Major warned her and Helga of the imminent danger. He also offered Vera a Spanish passport which she refused to utilize without Helga. However the Major find a mutually acceptable solution for Vera and Helga. Someone, Mr. St. a German presented themselves as their father and sheltered them. He, himself was not safe enough and German police arrested him for being the French Resistance sympathizer.

After the Germans retreated from France, Vera and Helga were arrested by F.F.I. (French Forces of the Interior). They were suspected to be Nazis or at least living under the Nazi patronage. They face a military court. Phenomenally, one member of the Tribunal happened to know their real identity. He taught them Spanish during the war. Senior Garcia, this was his name, knew about their secret hiding and the real identity. On his intervention Vera and Helga were released from F.F.I. military building.

Vera Laroche concludes: “I wish were a writer, so that I could describe more properly all the experience  we had gone through and also describe the wonderful people who besides being real humans always have been gentlemen and… unconditionally!!”

In 1946, Vera Laroche emigrated to the USA. She tried to pursue a motion picture career. This endeavor did not bring much of success. She had started up several businesses. Since the war here health state never was good. She suffered from numerous illnesses seeking medical help. At the same time she did not stop making living by herself.

This Collection is divided on several sub-groups of documents and artifacts.

RG-48.01, Bibliographical Materials

RG-48.01.01, Anker Family Tree

RG-48.01.02, Jean Paul Flegeljahre Adolescence

RG-48.01.03, “Juden in Preussen: Ein Kapitel deutscher Geschichte”- Jews in Prussia: A Chapter of German History

RG-48.01.04, Otto Flake, “Dinge der Zeit”- Things of the Time

RG-48.01.05, Photo of Vera Laroche as baby in front of St. Michael Catholic Church in Berlin

RG-48.01.06, Prayer Book for Synagogue School and Home

RG-48.02, First World War Albums

RG-48.02.01, Georg Anker Album 1 before World War I October 10 1906 and the First World War, Eastern Front

RG-48.02.02, Georg Anker Album 1, postcards

RG-48.02.03, Georg Anker Album, wartime photographs taken in France

RG-48.02.04, Georg Anker Album 3, transportations from 1907 to 1916

RG-48.02.05, Georg Anker Album 5, wartime views in Latvia

RG-48.02.06, Georg Anker Album, an army camaraderie

RG-48.02.07, Georg Anker Album, wartime views of Eastern Europe

RG-48.02.08, Georg Anker Album, views of France and Belgium 1 of 2

RG-48.02.09, Georg Anker Album, views of France and Belgium 2 of 2

RG-48.02.10, George Anker, a Provisional Catalog

RG-48.02.11, George Anker Album 1

RG-48.02.11.01, George Anker Album 1, 001

RG-48.02.11.02, George Anker Album 1, 002

RG-48.02.11.03, George Anker Album 1, 003

RG-48.02.11.04, George Anker Album 1, 004

RG-48.02.11.05, George Anker Album 1,005

RG-48.02.11.06, George Anker Album 1, 006

RG-48.02.11.07, George Anker Album 1, 007

RG-48.02.11.08, George Anker Album 1, 008

RG-48.02.11.09, George Anker Album 1, 009

RG-48.02.11.10, George Anker Album 1, 010

RG-48.02.11.11, George Anker Album 1, 011

RG-48.02.11.12, George Anker Album 1, 012

RG-48.02.11.13, George Anker Album 1, 013

RG-48.02.11.14, George Anker Album 1, 014

RG-48.03, Documents of Theresienstadt

RG-48.03.01, Work Identification Card issued to Alma Landshut

RG-48.03.02, Work Identification Packet issued to Alma Landshut

RG-48.03.03, A ghetto Report of the health of Alma Landshut, a report card direction the return to work after illness

RG-48.03.04, A doctor note issued to Alma Landshut

RG-48.03.05, Theresienstadt, a  special coupon-form issued by the Jewish administration of Theresienstadt

RG-48.04, Vera Laroche, Personal Career

RG-48.04.01, Vera Laroche (Levin), actress photo from 1937 in Paris 1 of 3

RG-48.04.02, Vera Laroche (Levin), actress photo from 1937 in Paris 2 of 3, signed

RG-48.04.03, Vera Laroche (Levin), actress photo from 1937 in Paris 3 of 3

RG-48.04.04, Vera Laroche (Levin), actress photo from 1937 in Paris

RG-48.04.05, Vera Laroche (Levin), actress photo from Paris circa 1939 autographed

RG-48.04.06, Vera Laroche (Levin), actress photo in Paris circa 1939 autographed

RG-48.04.07, Vera Laroche (Levin), actress photo in Paris circa 1939 with cat

RG-48.04.08, Vera Laroche (Levin), actress photo in Paris from 1939

RG-48.04.09, Vera Laroche (Levin) actress photo of Vera circa 1940 Paris 1 of 2

RG-48.04.10, Vera Laroche (Levin) actress photo of Vera circa 1940 Paris 2 of 2

RG-48.04.11, Vera Laroche (Levin) actress shot from Paris circa 1939

RG-48.04.12, Vera Laroche (Levin) autographed actress Photo from Paris circa 1937

RG-48.04.13, Vera Laroche (Levin) business card 1 of 2

RG-48.04.14, Vera Laroche (Levin) business card 2 of 2

RG-48.04.15, Vera Laroche (Levin) cover of Midinette magazine, 4 February 1938, article in French

RG-48.04.16, Vera Laroche (Levin) Deutsche Oberschule und Lyzeum –School, Photo circa 1929

RG-48.04.17, Vera Laroche (Levin) early school photo ca 1918, Vera is sitting in first row on the right

RG-48.04.18, Vera Laroche (Levin) film photo from 1940s to 1990s 1 of 9

RG-48.04.19, Vera Laroche (Levin) film photo from 1940s to 1990s 2 of 9, circa 1947

RG-48.04.20, Vera Laroche (Levin) film photo from 1940s to 1990s 3 of 9

RG-48.04.21, Vera Laroche (Levin) film photo from 1940s to 1990s 4 of 9, circa 1940s

RG-48.04.22, Vera Laroche (Levin) film photo from 1940s to 1990s 5 of 9, circa 1950s

RG-48.04.23, Vera Laroche (Levin) film photo from 1940s to 1990s 6 of 9, circa 1950s

RG-48.04.24, Vera Laroche (Levin) film photo from 1940s to 1990s 7 of 9

RG-48.04.25, Vera Laroche (Levin) film photo from 1940s to 1990s 8 of 9

RG-48.04.26, Vera Laroche (Levin) film photo from 1940s to 1990s 9 of 9

RG-48.04.27, Vera Laroche (Levin) French newspaper with article about Vera on page 8, 23 October 1937

RG-48.04.28, Vera Laroche (Levin) German Passport (Reisepass) issued on 8 May 1934

RG-48.04.29, Vera Laroche (Levin), in acting school, circa 1930

RG-48.04.30, Vera Laroche (Levin) in Hollywood, circa 1940s to 1950s, headshot 1 of 2

RG-48.04.31, Vera Laroche (Levin) in Hollywood circa 1940s to 1950s, headshot 2 of 2

RG-48.04.32, Vera Laroche (Levin) in Stockholm, circa 1936 1 of 2

RG-48.04.33, Vera Laroche (Levin) in Stockholm, circa 1936 2 of 2 sketch

RG-48.04.34, Vera Laroche (Levin), a letter to Vera informing her that she will be expelled from the Reich Chamber of Literature for the racial reasons, 16 March 1935, a copy

RG-48.04.35, Vera Laroche (Levin) news photo of Vera upon her arrival from France to New York in October 1946

RG-48.04.36, Vera Laroche (Levin), a newspaper article about Vera's arrival in New York from France, published on October 30 1946

RG-48.04.37, Vera Laroche (Levin), original newspaper article form October 30, 1946, about Vera arriving in New York from France

RG-48.04.38, Vera Laroche (Levin), party at her home, April 1927, Berlin copy

RG-48.04.39, Vera Laroche (Levin), a party given by Vera 1927 Berlin copy

RG-48.04.40, Vera Laroche (Levin), a passenger list of the ship Ile de France departing France for New York and arriving in New York on 29 October 1946

RG-48.04.41, Vera Laroche (Levin), photo circa 1920

RG-48.04.42, Vera Laroche (Levin), photo of her father Berthold Levin circa 1920, taken in Berlin

RG-48.04.43, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of her in Hollywood ca 1950s with a dog 1 of 3

RG-48.04.44, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of her in Hollywood, ca 1950s with a dog 2 of 3

RG-48.04.45, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of her in Hollywood, ca 1950s with a dog 3 of 3

RG-48.04.46, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of her in Hollywood, ca 1950s

RG-48.04.47, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of her in Hollywood, ca 1950s

RG-48.04.48, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of her parents Berthold Levin in Berlin, ca 1937

RG-48.04.49, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of her with a dog in Hollywood ca 1949

RG-48.04.50, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera aboard of the Queen Mary, ca August 1952, 1 of 2

RG-48.04.51, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera aboard of the Queen Mary, ca August 1952, 2 of 2

RG-48.04.52, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera and her friend, ca 1928

RG-48.04.53, Vera Laroche (Levin), photo of Vera and her mother Lotta, ca 1925, in Berlin

RG-48.04.54, Vera Laroche (Levin), photo of Vera in 1928

RG-48.04.55, Vera Laroche (Levin), portrait of Vera in 1935

RG-48.04.56, Vera Laroche (Levin), photo of Vera in 1935

RG-48.04.57, Vera Laroche (Levin), portrait of Vera in 1935, in Berlin

RG-48.04.58, Vera Laroche (Levin), Photo of Vera outdoor, 1935, in Berlin

RG-48.04.59, Vera Laroche (Levin), photo of Vera, 1935 in Berlin on a dock

RG-48.04.60, Vera Laroche (Levin), photo of Vera in Hollywood, ca 1950s

RG-48.04.61, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Paris, ca 1939, on the steps of a building

RG-48.04.62, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Paris, ca 1939, in a costume

RG-48.04.63, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Paris, ca 1939, a portrait

RG-48.04.64, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Paris in the streets, ca October 1973 slightly damaged

RG-48.04.65, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Paris, ca October 1973

RG-48.04.66, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Paris in 1942, in the park

RG-48.04.67, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Paris, outdoor, in 1942

RG-48.04.68, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Paris in 1945, a portrait

RG-48.04.69, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera's friends at her party ca 1927, Berlin

RG-48.04.70, Vera Laroche (Levin) Her United States passport issued on June 3 1952

RG-48.04.71, Vera Laroche (Levin) various photographs of Vera in Berlin, ca, 1935, at a studio

RG-48.04.72, Vera Laroche (Levin) photograph of Vera in Berlin, ca 1935, she is sitting by the table

RG-48.04.73, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Berlin, ca 1935, a portrait

RG-48.04.74, Vera Laroche (Levin) portrait of Vera in Berlin, ca 1935

RG-48.04.75, Vera Laroche (Levin) photo of Vera in Berlin, ca 1935, with an animal

RG-48.04.76, Vera Laroche (Levin) Vera in Berlin, ca 1935, outdoor

RG-48.04.77, Vera Laroche (Levin) a portrait of Vera in Berlin, ca 1935

RG-48.04.78, Vera Laroche (Levin) Vera's certificate of arrival to USA in New York, on October 29, 1946

RG-48.04.79, Vera Laroche (Levin) Vera's resume. Her at the age of 37

RG-48.04.80, Vera Laroche (Levin) with friend, ca 1926 at the age of 13.5

RG-48.04.81, Vera Laroche (Levin) with a school friends (she is on the right), at the age of 14 in Berlin, ca 1926

RG-48.04.82, Vera Laroche (Levin), a school group photograph, Berlin, 1918, Vera is at the top row, the second child on the right

RG-48.04.83, Vera Laroche copy of the career profile at the age of 84

RG-48.04.84, Vera Laroche, memoirs, chapters' outlines, ca 2000

RG-48.04.85, Vera Laroche, a school group photograph, Berlin, 1924

RG-48.04.86, Vera Laroche, a school group photograph, Berlin, ca 1926

RG-48.04.87, Vera Laroche, a film scrapbook kept in 1933 – 1938 in Berlin. She included her interviews with actors and actresses, her articles and film reviews. Here we first see her pen-name as Laroche (originally Vera Lewin).

RG-48.04.88, Vera Laroche, The Kindness of Strangers, memoirs, chapter 10, ca 2000