We want to recreate a mural of Ms. Ella Puhn at the exact spot in the Old Town where this photo was taken in 1935
—by photographer Leo Balk, whose pictures will be featured in an exhibition next door at the Museum of the History of Little Lithuania starting in September 2026. Please help us make this project a reality! We appreciate every donation; our association needs 2,900 EUR for this project—donations are tax-deductible in Germany.
This photo shows the historical figure Ella Puhn at her workplace in Klaipėda. Her office was located at 31 Didžioji Vandens Street. She worked as an accountant at “Liverma”, one of the largest textile companies in Klaipėda, run by the Israelit brothers. They were also actively involved in city life. Tobias Israelit was awarded the Order of Merit of Lithuania in 1938. He was also the president of the Klaipėda Jewish sports club “Bar Kochba.” In 1941, the Israelit brothers were deported to Siberia.
On March 23, 1939, the Puhn family was shot by a photographer accompanying Hitler as they walked to the train station. This photograph became famous around the world. Ella Puhn and her daughter Cira perished in the Stutthof concentration camp, while Aron Puhn and his daughter Aviv were murdered in the Šiauliai ghetto.
Please help us bringing Mrs. Puhn Back to Memel!
1 Go to our Paypal Donation Page: paypal.me/Jewsineastprussia >>
2 Or send simply a donation with Paypal to the email: info@judeninostpreussen.de
3 Or ask for our bank details (IBAN and BIC) for direct bank transfers – Contact >>