Gertrude Eckert (*1919) remembers:

In preparation for Sukkoth a Sukkah was built. In former times the Sukkah was built anew each year. Later on it was made a permanent fixture on top of the wash house. The wash house was located between the house and the storage facility, it was a one storey building, and the Sukkah was on top of it. The Sukkah was being decorated with foliage, and also with flowers, if I recall correctly. For eight days everything took place inside the Sukkah. Of course, as a child I was allowed inside too, after all I was the ”Schätzchen” (darling). On the Sabbath it was customary that the families would visit one another in the afternoon. In the morning one would attend Synagogue services. Milly would say: ”Daddy went to the Goge.” The Sabbath law was observed very strictly since Joseph was a very religious man. On Friday night there was always a candle lit on a candlestick, which burned all night long.
Well, with the Strauss’ it was this way: They had personnel for the kitchen etc. E.g. there was Greta, a very nice person, who came after the elder Mrs. Strauss had passed away. Later on Greta moved to Fulda. She died a number of years ago.
The heating in those days was by stoves. Naturally, we would keep the fire going on the Sabbath when the maid wasn’t working. I also remember that I kept the fire going at Mrs. Floersheim’s place by adding briquette or coal. Something very special was the ”Berchesbrot” (Challah), baked for the celebration of the Sabbath, it was delicious! On the Sabbath the Strauss’ would always sing. Joseph was musically highly gifted, and he had such a wonderful bass. Even now I still know the melodie of a song they would always sing on Sabbath night. (G. Eckert hums the tune). It’s ever-present to me.