Zella Greenberg (1904 - 1974)

Zella Greenberg is my maternal great grandmother. Greenberg family HERE. Ettinger family tree Here. She was named Zella by her father after a vaudeville performer he admired!

Parents: Moss Greenberg and Minnie Ettinger

Born: 1 February 1904 in Liverpool, England

Birth certificate for Zella Greenberg

Zella with her parents Moss and Minnie and her brother Berthold in Liverpool, England around 1906

Zella with her brother Berthold in Liverpool, England around 1906

Zella with her husband Marcus in Johannesburg, South Africa in March 1972

Hebrew name: Zela daughter of Moshe

Married:

Marcus Levin on 1 February 1927 in Liverpool England. Marcus was 27 years old and Zella celebrated her 23rd birthday on her wedding day!

Children

Their first child, Jacob Harold, survived for only a few hours when born on 31 August 1928. Marcus was 29 and Zella 24. Their final child, also called Jacob Harold, but known as Jack, was born in 1932 when Marcus was 33 and Zella 28

• Jacob Harold Levin 31 August 1928 - 31 August 1928
• Ruth Levin 1930 -
• Jacob Harold (Jack) Levin 1932 -

The wedding of Marcus Levin and Zella Greenberg in Liverpool, England on 1 February 1927. Left to right: Ella Newman (Nee Ettinger) (Zella's 1st cousin), Gertie Levin (Marcus's little sister), Marcus Levin, Zella Greenberg, Hyman Radam, Marcus's best man and his best friend, and unknown. Marcus had the flu and Zella was propping him up. They went to Paris for their honeymoon

Abstract of the Ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) for Marcus Levin and Zella Greenberg

Wedding invitation for the wedding of Marcus Levin and Zella Greenberg to be held at the Princes Road Synagogue, Liverpool, England on 1 February 1927

Menu for the wedding of Marcus Levin and Zella Greenberg on 1 February 1927 in Liverpool, England

Marcus and Zella Levin

Census details

1911

In 1911 Zella is living with her parents in a 6 roomed house at 377 Prescot Road, Old Swan, Liverpool, England. The family comprises her father Moss age 38, an employer contractor in plumbing and painting, her mother Minnie age 35, her brother Berthold age 9, Zella age 7 and Minnie's sister Esther Ettinger, age 33

1921

In 1921 Zella and her family are living at 48 Buckingham Road, New Brighton, Liverpool, England. Moss is now age 48, an employer, a building material merchant operating out of 379 Prescot Road, Old Swan, Liverpool, England. Minnie is now age 45, Berthold is now age 19  and a manager in the business and Zella in now age 17. Living with them is Miriam Hagnett age 20 and a domestic servant

1939 Register

In the 1939 register Marcus and Zella are living at 3 Yorke Avenue, Liverpool, England. His occupation is listed as manager - drapery business

Electoral register - extract

In the 1930 electoral register Marcus and Zella are listed as living at 3 Yorke Avenue, Liverpool, England

Freemasonry

Installation of Zella Levin as Worshipful Master of Southport Lodge on 27 October 1971 in Southport, England.

Marcus and Zella and their children Ruth and Jack attending the Freemason dinner and dance

Death

On 4 July 1974, while visiting us in Johannesburg, South Africa, Zella suffered a stroke and died several days later on 15 July 1974. Her body was flown back to Liverpool and she was buried in the Broadgreen Cemetery, Liverpool, England, plot no R 03-003 on 26 July 1974

South African death certificate for Zella Levin

Liverpool Jewish Burial Record for Zella Levin

Tombstone inscription: In loving memory of Zella Levin, who passed away 15th July 1974 - 25th Tamuz 5734 in her 70th year. Adored and loved by her family and a host of friends. She was actually 70 at the time of her death, and not 69!

Hebrew translation:  Here is buried a woman of valor Zela, daughter of Moshe, died 25 Tammuz 5734. May her soul be bound up in the bond of (eternal) life.

Tombstone consecration notice for Zella in the Jewish Chronicle 13 June 1972. It was consecrated on 22 June 1975

Civil registration birth extract for Zella showing she was born in February 1904

Death Notices

Liverpool Daily Post 18 July 1974. LEVIN - July 15, 1974, in Johannesburg, suddenly, after a short illness. ZELLA LEVIN. the beloved wife of Marcus and dear mother of Ruth Hodes and Jack. Funeral at Broadgreen Cemetery, Liverpool, on Friday next at 2 p.m. Prayers at 50 Blundell Drive, Southport.

Condolence card for Zella Levin

Obituaries

Mrs Zella Levin

Southport Jewish community were shocked to hear of the death of Mrs. Mark Levin, whilst on a visit to her daughter in South Africa. Zella Levin, was the daughter of the late Alderman Moss Greenberg of Liverpool.

Together with her husband and family she settled in Southport at the outbreak of the second war. She immediately interested herself in local charities.

She was a staunch member of the now defunct Jewish Women's Personal Service Guild, was on the Youth Aliyah Committee and the Jewish Blind Aid Committee.

She was a member of the League of Jewish Women, Wizo, and a long standing member of the committee of the Southport Hebrew and Philanthropic Society. She was both chairman and treasurer of the ladies' section of the society and laterly organised it almost single- handed.

She helped with the Natherlow Luncheon Club for the elderly and was a past Worshipful Master of Southport Lodge 30. She was a most generous person and no plea for help was ever unanswered. LIVERPOOL JEWISH GAZETTE. FRIDAY AUGUST 2 1974

MRS ZELLA LEVIN

It was with great sadness that Southport Jewry heard of the tragic death of Zella Levin while on holiday in South Africa, writes Mr Leslie Solomon, life president, Jewish Philanthropic Society.

She was an indefatigable worker for all charities. She was instrumental in helping to form the Jewish Forces canteen, which during the war served many service personnel of all ranks and denominations.

She worked for the blind and spastic homes, but her greatest work was with the Jewish Philanthropic Society of which she was the ladies' committee treasurer and chairman. Her cheery disposition endeared her to everyone. LONDON JEWISH CHRONICLE JULY 26 1974

Mrs Zella Levin

THE Southport Jewish community was shocked to hear of the death, in South Africa, of Mrs Zella Levin, of Blundell Drive, writes our Southport correspondent, Mrs Alma Morris.

Zella Levin was the daughter of the late Alderman Moss Greenberg, of Liverpool. With her husband, Mark, and family, she settled in Southport at the out- break of the Second World War, and immediately interested herself in local charities.

A staunch member of the now defunct Jewish Women's Personal Service Guild, she was also on the Youth Aliyah Committee and the Jewish Blind Aid Committee. She was a member of the League of Jewish Women, WIZO, and a long- standing member of the committee of the Southport Hebrew and Philanthropic Society.

Both chairman and secretary of this organisation's ladies section, she latterly organised it almost single-handed.

Mrs Levin helped with the Hatherlow Luncheon Club for the Elderly and was a past member of Southport Lodge 30. A most generous person, she never refused a plea for help.

She is survived by her husband, son, daughter and grandchildren. It was during a visit to her daughter, in South Africa, that her death occurred.  Manchester Jewish Telegraph 2 August 1974

Probate

Zella Levin Probate of 30 September 1975. Her address is given as 50 Blundell Drive, Southport, England. The value of her estate was £37,477

Observations

My grandmother, Zella Greenberg, was born in Liverpool 1^st February 1904, the daughter of Moss Greenberg and Minnie Ettinger. She had an elder brother, Berthold Greenberg, known as Bert, who was born in Liverpool on 23 July 1901. Zella was an accomplished pianist and the family were very well off. She was named Zella by her father after a vaudeville performer he admired!  She was blind in one eye and used to play piano to convalescing troops during the first World War. She was a very good piano player and also used to paint. Ruth recalls her as being very artistic. She also recalls that she had beautiful eyes. Zella died of a stroke (cerebral thrombosis) on 15 July 1974 while visiting her daughter in Johannesburg, South Africa.  The body was repatriated back to England and she is buried in the Liverpool, Broadgreen Cemetery. Zella was a very warm and gregarious person who would talk to anyone and made friends easily. She was very short, about 5-foot-tall, and had pear-shaped hips. I was her favourite. It was a real shock when she suffered her stroke. She was in our house and we called a doctor friend around the corner who came, and called an ambulance which took her to the hospital. She died in the Lady Dudley nursing home 11 days later. Her husband Mark, was utterly lost by her passing, as he relied on her to almost everything for him

Sample letters

Samples of Zella's handwriting, from 1968 and 1969

Photographs

Zella in fancy dress, probably for Purim, in Liverpool, England in 1923

Marcus and Zella Levin in the 1920s

Liverpool, about 1935. Zella's parents Moss and Minnie Greenberg, her husband Marcus at left and she is at the far right. The little boy is her son Jack and the girl with her face turned away from the camera is her daughter Ruth

Zella on holiday in Port Erin in the Isle of Man circa 1937. From left to right, her son Jack, Zella, her nephew Sammy Goren and her daughter Ruth

Marcus and Zella Levin with their children Ruth and Jack outside their newly completed home in Southport, England in 1940

Photos of Zella

Marcus and Zella Levin with their children Ruth and Jack in the late 1940s

Marcus and Zella gardening at home in Southport, England 1950s. They were both keen gardeners

Zella Levin at her daughter's wedding in Liverpool in April 1956

Marcus and Zella on various holidays in the mid-1950s to mid-1960s, following his retirement

Zella and Marcus on holiday in the Kruger National Park, South Africa in the late 1950s

Marcus and Zella with their grandson Matthew in Southport, England in the late 1960s

Miscellaneous documents

A concert in 1922 where Zella played the piano. Zella was an accomplished piano player and I well remember the baby grand piano in their house at 50 Blundell Drive, Southport. After her death it was donated to the King David School in Liverpool

Zella Greenberg identity document issued in 1923

Zella Levin World War II National Registration Identity Card 

Travel identity document for Zella issued in Liverpool, England on 26 July 1946

Marcus and Zella Levin silver wedding anniversary dinner 1 February 1952 at 50 Blundell Drive, Southport, England

A Southport women's group which provides a vital link between hospital patients and the outside world, met on Tuesday

The League of Jewish Women, who over the years have become well known faces at the Promenade Hospital, the Southport Infirmary where they man the mobile telephone service, welcomed to the meeting their North-west regional chairman, Mrs. H. Conn. The region's treasurer, Mrs. L. Margolis, and Southport’s Mrs. J. Webster.

The following members were elected to office for the forthcoming year: Mrs. M. Goldberg and Mrs. A E. Silverstone, joint presidents: Mrs. J. Webster, chairman; Mrs. S. Huglin, vice- chairman; Mrs. M. Levin, treasurer; and Mrs. H. Young, secretary

Residences

In 1911 Zella and her family are living at 377 Prescott Road, Old Swan, Liverpool, England. The building next to them - now a garage - was where her father's hardware business was

In 1921 Zella and her family are living at 48 Buckingham Road, New Brighton, Liverpool, England

At the time of her marriage in 1927, Zella and her family are living at Beechworth, 4 Laurel Road, Liverpool, England. The property no longer exists

From 1929 to 1940 Marcus and Zella lived at 3 Yorke Avenue, Liverpool, England. It was a two-story townhouse in the Liverpool suburb of Sefton Park and the family were relatively prosperous, having a live-in maid

At the outbreak of World War II it was widely felt that Liverpool would be heavily bombed because of its extensive dockyards and therefore Mark and Zella decided to move elsewhere. They built a large three-story house at 50 Blundell Drive in Southport, a quiet seaside town 32 km north of Liverpool. Zella’s parents, Moss (Mo) Greenberg and Minnie (Nee Ettinger), came and lived with them. Minnie was an invalid who suffered from heart problems and Zella looked after her.

Liverpool was indeed heavily bombed during the War but Southport escaped relatively unscathed. The Woodvale Royal Air Force Station was established nearby for the defence of Liverpool and some German aircraft, pursued by fighter planes from the airfield were consequently forced to drop their bombs. One such bomb when dropped totally demolished a house in a neighbouring street, all that was left was a large bomb crater. The house in Blundell Drive had a makeshift air raid shelter for the family and the neighbours to shelter in. Mark was the local warden. The house also had a large garden, and an extensive vegetable patch was established to supplement the family diet. Both Zella and Mark were keen gardeners and I have many fond memories of playing in and enjoying their beautiful and extensive garden when we visited there in 1967 and 1968. Mark and Zella lived there until the mid 1970s. The Black and white photo of the house was taken on 10 August 1947. They lived there until Zella's death in 1974

Mark Baum (c1830s - 1890s)

Mark Baum is my maternal 3x great grandfather. Baum family tree Here

Born: Probably in the early 1830s  in Vorne, Russia (now Varniai in the Telz district of Lithuania)

Hebrew name: Mordechai Gershon Beim

Yiddish name: Mordkhel (Marko) Gershel Beym (Baum)

Lithuanian name: Morduchas Bersonas Beimas

Married: Kreine, probably in Vorne in the early 1850s

Children

• Asher Baum 1855 - 1917
• Israel Itsyk Baum 1857 - 1929

Death

In Vorne or Kaunas, Lithuania, sometime before 1895

Place of Birth

Mark Baum was born in Varniai in the Telz district of Lithuania

It was established in the 14th century, on the bank of the Varnelė River, near an important Samogitian castle. It was the center of Samogitian Catholic church: after the baptism of Samogitia, the Samogitian Bishop resided in the town. Around 1414–1416 the first church was built, and c. 1464 the first cathedral. Varniai was the center of Samogitian episcopate until the middle of the 19th century, when authorities of the Russian Empire moved it to Kaunas.

The first Jews probably settled in Vorne in the second half of the seventeenth century. The bishop granted rights to a few Jews to run taverns, sell liquor and collect taxes during the fairs. Later, peddlers, merchants and artisans arrived in town. Jews, provided the majority of tradesmen, including tailors. Their workshops were small and run by families. The tradesmen of the time numbered twenty-two tailors, ten carters, sixteen shoemakers, six blacksmiths, three carpenters, three hatters, two builders, one book binder, one painter and one mould-maker. There were also well known timber tradesmen: one of these, Aharon Raskin, was a very prominent member of the community. The timber was loaded onto rafts and sent to Memel (Klaipeda) en route to Germany. The local flour mill was owned by Rafael Zax. Liquor distillation plants were also run by Jews. Several families kept stores, and they would travel to the large regional town of Shavl (Šiauliai) to stock up on goods.

As the population grew, a cemetery and prayer houses were built – the Kloiz and the Shtiblekh on two of the sides of the Shul, a building with a high dome for prayers in the summer. Later, welfare associations were established. Linath HaTsedek, Bikur Holim, Gemiluth Hesed, Hakhnasath Kalah and Hakhnasath Orkhim were among these. Social assistance was mostly provided by generous women with initiative. One such was Ida-Pesia, the wife of Aharon Raskin the timber merchant. He was also the Gabai of the local Yeshivah with its 60 students. This Yeshivah was established and directed by Nahum-Lipa Hananyah, and it existed for 35 years until his death in 1910. Many of the young people in the town studied in the Telz Yeshivah and in other Yeshivoth in the area. Quite a few acquired a general education as well.

In 1874, a blood libel was initiated by a local priest who gave money to a Christian boy to disappear from the town. Then he announced that the Jews had murdered the boy for his blood. The priest, together with a group of peasants armed with knives and sticks, went out in the streets and attacked every Jew they met. A few were injured and taken to hospital. The uproar stopped when the boy returned home. In 1847, 1,084 Jews lived in the town. Half a century later, according to the government census of 1897, there were 3,121 residents in Varniai, including 1,226 (39%) Jews.

Jewish homes in an alleyway

One of the prayer houses in Vorne