A few annotations regarding reparations
(”Wiedergutmachung”)
The once well situated family, who had been dispossessed of everything, came to
New York with nothing and had to start from scratch. Then it took many years until
the legitimate claims to reparations (reimbursement of loss of house and property,
retributions etc.) finally would gain acceptance.
Items, which Joseph and Lilly Strauss prior to their deportation to Riga had left
with friends and acquaintances for safekeeping - e.g. photos, and clothing - could
be shipped to the U.S.A. as early as 1948. In this way at least these few things
came back step by step to the rightful owners.
However, the negotiations regarding, reparations dragged on; one had to provide
conclusive proof of claims, certifications and testimonies had to be submitted in
order to establish proof of the existence and the value of movable property and
like matter.
Complicating the processing was the fact, that the persons affected had to act out
of New York through their attorneys and trustees in Germany. Whereas the Strauss
couple formerly had been respected and self-employed business people, they now
had to make their living as unskilled laborers in a factory.