The Froehlich-Czerner Family
In 1990, when clearing out Paula’s old apartment, the family found these letters. They had been hidden behind the piano, and none of the family was even aware of their existence. Reading through these personal letters was obviously very emotional for Raya and Helga. They decided a few years later that these letters told such an amazing and meaningful story that they should be published for the general public to learn from.
Erwin Froehlich
Erwin was a very successful doctor in Prague before the war. He specialized in using a medical device called the gatroscope. This skill was highly valuable at the time, but even with this, countries still weren't accepting immigrants from Prague.
Paula Froehlich
Paula was known in the family to be very tidy and extraordinary at design. She lived in Prague at the time of the war, and when Max, Irma, and Tomichek left to the United states, she offered to care for Helga and Raya until they could all reunite.
Irma Czerner
Irma lived with Max and their children in a large apartment in the center for Prague. Irma spent much of her time caring for their three children and made frequent visits to see Paula, her mother, and Erwin, her brother.
Max Czerner
Max lived in Prague before 1939 with Irma and their three children. He had a stable job as the general director for the Shell Oil company. He continued to work for this job until his move to U.S. later on, where he was able to maintain a similar career.
The letters included in this play are written by Paula, her son Erwin, and her granddaughters Raya and Helga. Since Raya and Helga were so young at the time- Helga being 7 and Raya being 5- the letters written by or about them are mostly helped by Paula. When Paula is talking about the girls, you will hear she uses many nicknames to refer to them. Raya becomes Rajuška and Helga Helgulátka and Helgrl. Paula also uses nicknames for Irma and Max, to whom she is writing letters in the U.S. Irma is frequently called Šišinka, and Max is renamed Moško.
Left to right- Irma, Max
Left to right- Erwin, Leopold, Paula, Irma
Around 1910