Basel memorial recalls singer Hella Olstein, murdered at Auschwitz

A golden memorial stone in Basel now commemorates Jewish singer Hella Olstein, who was murdered at Auschwitz in 1943. SRF reports that her nephew, Daniel Olstein, has spent recent years researching her life.

Olstein was born in Łódź, Poland. Her family moved to France and then to Basel in 1915, where she attended school. She wanted to become an artist and performed as a “ballet singer” in venues in Basel, as well as in Lucerne and Zurich.

Her application for Swiss citizenship was rejected in 1932, in part because she had little income. She appealed, but her nephew said antisemitism was evident in Basel in 1933. Her landlord told the authorities that she had no place in Switzerland because she was Jewish. A neighbour also complained, saying Olstein sang in the shower and should never be granted citizenship. Her appeal failed.

Olstein moved to Paris, where she met her life partner, Eve Adams. The two later fled south after German forces entered the city. Olstein performed in Nice, Marseille and Cannes, and the press compared her appearance and singing to Édith Piaf.

The Gestapo arrested Olstein and Adams in 1943 and deported them to Auschwitz, where they were murdered. Daniel Olstein said his research found that his aunt was deported on Transport 63 on December 14, 1943. He said the family does not know whether she was sent to the gas chamber immediately.

The memorial stone at Hegenheimerstrasse 22, Olstein’s last address in Basel, summarises her life: born in 1905, in Switzerland from 1915, citizenship denied, in France from 1933, entry to Switzerland refused in 1941, deported in 1943 and murdered at Auschwitz.