Source Familien Steinfeld fra Ålesund • Jødiske fotspor i nord (jodiskefotspor.no)
Isreal Steinfeld moved from Trondheim to Ålesund after Ålesund burned down in the year 1905. He established a store called “Londoner 15 øre basar” and married in 1918 with Lea. They had one son (Morten) and one daughter (Reidun). They lived an active life in Ålesund, and lived and worked in the comunity of Ålesund. “Londoner 15 øre basar” eventually changed name to “Steinfeld magasiner” wich sold everything from newspapers to toys.
When the war came to Norway in 1940, Steinfeld shortly moved towards Skodje, by recomendations from Ålesund city. However Isreal Steinfeld had to come back due to his store, and in 1941, his store got vandalished with the letters “JØDE” and the swastika sign in the storefront. The same year, NS members destroyed the car Steinfeld owned.
Steinfeld lived somewhat normal all things considered until 1942, when in january they had to go to police to recive the red J in their passport. In faburary/ mars, they had to file a form about jews in norway. Multiple people advice Isreal Steinfeld to flee over the Norwegian Sea to Britian or cross the border to Sweeden, but he would not head them, telling that “I am a norwegian citizen. I have not done anything wrong. I have nothing to fear”
Isreal got arrested 15 th of may 1942, and the shop conficated. He where first jailed in Ålesund Fengsel. He where later sendt to Trøndelag, and then to slave labour in north of Norway, then moved to Oslo. He was depost 26th of november 1942 by boat to Danmark, then train to Auschwitz. He died in camp 15th of may.
Morten, his son would have been arrested at 26th of october, same year, however due to Sigurd Refsbæs being a close family friend to Steinfeld, he manged to convince the colaborators that Morten where too ill for an arrest.Sigurd even manged to sneak him to the nearby hospital with false surgergy. The excuse used where that Morten had complications and had to go on resurgery. However that lie where soon to be discovered on 23th of Feburary where an arresting order where made and Morten, Lea and Reidun soon got deported. Night to 3rd of Mars 1943 Lea and Reidun got gassed. Morten most likly died soon after arrival or towards Auchwiz.
1 week later Reidun’s boyfriend got a letter from her with sender as:
Reidun Steinfeld Arbeidslager Auscgwitz. Oberschlesien
She writes:
“Dear, Carsten. Hope for letters.
Doing fine. Greet everyone.
Reidun Steinfeld.”