Revisiting history in Berlin

When Peter Hirsch suggested bringing 90-year-old Beate Hammett, his great-aunt, from Sydney to Berlin, his family jumped at the opportunity. Beate – the last living relative of their parents’ generation – was put on a train in 1939 at 9 years old as part of the Kindertransport evacuation of Jewish kids from Berlin to England. Beate’s father, Alexander Beer, was a famous architect in Berlin. Beate’s parents were brought to a concentration camp in 1943. She never saw them again. The family trip was a beautiful, emotional journey, which included visiting Alexander’s six buildings together, each of which has a plaque commemorating him. The group also retraced their uncle’s journey to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. On their last night, they spent time at Pauly Saal, the Michelin star restaurant in the renovated MadchenSchule building, which now houses art galleries, restaurants and a hallway of photographs of the more than 1,000 children who were housed at the school in the ’40s. “What an amazing tribute to Alexander Beer that his building is today full of vibrant life and energy,” said Sue Goott. Pictured are (from left) John Goott, Sue Goott, Beate Hammett, Peter Hirsch, Elaine Hirsch, Tanya Radoff and Paul Hirsch outside the MadchenSchule. 

Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to [email protected]. Items are published on a space-available basis. Also share your upcoming-event listings here.