Rene Lieberman
" Never forget that they’re Jewish, and they should be kind and help others. There was no one more kind than her mother. Mother was unbelievably kind. "
Name at birth
Renata Rene Blum
Date of birth
12/12/1935
Name of father, occupation
Max,
Cattle dealer
Maiden name of mother, occupation
Amali “Mali” Katz,
Homemaker
Who survived the Holocaust?
Whole family, they left German in April 1938
Born in their house in Limburg, Germany on 12/12/1935.
When she was born its reported that her grandmother said now little girl you’re in Hitlers world
Her parents left Germany for USA April 1938
Rene came to America with her mom, dad and her grandmother Leina Katz
Fathers mother went to England with her father’s sister
When they arrived in America they came to Detroit
She had an uncle who was her mother brother who came to America first who was living in Detroit. He was working for a meat packing company Gunsburg. He talked to Mr. Gunsburg about being their sponsor, he said just bring me the papers.
They came to America with no money, some furniture and their clothes that’s it.
Her dad went and worked at the Standard beef meat packing company
Her mother also worked there
Her parents were very young and energetic and worked very hard
Her father met non-Jewish man Joseph Palmer and they became business partners, they got along wonderfully. They formed their own meat packing company. Her father would buy cattle from stock yards in Detroit. Mr. Palmer was in charge of the butchering.
They loved America they, thought everything was wonderful. Her mother was always astonished they could leave merchandise outside overnight and people would not steal.
When friends came over for coffee, they would sing God Bless America
My parents always believed America saved their Lives.
During the war there was rationing, it was hard to buy beef and a black market for cattle arose. Mr. Blum, however, told his partner this country saved my life I don’t want to do anything illegal so he told his partner, Mr. Palmer, they could go their separate ways if this was what he wanted to do but Mr. Palmer said no, and they stuck together
While they worked at the meat packing plant her grandmother watched her, she was 2 ½ years old
They lived on the east side where no Jews lived. When she was 16, she became interested in boys. They moved to the west side to live in a Jewish neighborhood so she could meet Jewish boys.
Shomer Shabbos, observation jews
She transferred from Denby to Mumford high school, she experienced culture shock
Her parents were German Jews speaking German, she met Polish Jews who spoke Yiddish. The German and Polish jews didn’t get along.
It was obvious what was happening in Germany, felt time to get out. Mother’s brother lived in Detroit, single man, worked for Louis Gunsberg. He approached Mr. Gunsberg, about being their sponsor, he said to him don’t tell me the history, just bring me the papers
Relatives would bring her clothes not toys, needed clothes, poor at the time.
When did you come to the United States?
April 1938
Where did you settle?
Detroit, Michigan
How is it that you came to Michigan?
An uncle came to America before them and settled in Detroit. He got his employer, Mr. Gunsberg, to sponsor them so they could come to the United States.
When and where were you married?
Detroit, Michigan
Spouse
David Lieberman,
Tax attorney
Children
Three daughters - Lisa, Rachel, Patricia
Grandchildren
Ten grandchildren
What message would you like to leave for future generations?
Never forget that they’re Jewish, and they should be kind and help others. There was no one more kind than her mother. Mother was unbelievably kind.
Interviewer:
Charles Silow, PhD
