#28 Heidelberg- A New Home

 With the death of Lore's father and the remarriage of her mother, everything had now changed in the young girl's life... except for her last name of Philipp. Moving to Heidelberg, about 250 miles south of Beilefeld, where her stepfather was established, was a new chapter in the child's life.  With a new father figure ..she now had a brother and sister, new home in a different city that meant a change of school, new social interactions, and a completely new set of friends to be made, in an all girls school. It was exciting and there was a new city to explore. Lore liked school... was a good student and liked the challenge of learning. School days were happily spent in the company of friends, playing sports (as a member of a Jewish sports organization), and field trips to the castle ruins.  The young girl learned patriotic songs and was proud of her Homeland. Lore remembers singing the regional anthem about the famous place that she now resided in.....

1. Old Hiedelberg you are beautiful                 3.Old Heidelberg,

 Your city rich in honor                                    Your city rich in honor

Upon Neckar, upon Rhine                                Upon Neckar, upon Rhine

No other one is comparable to you                   No other one is comparable to you

City full of happy folks                                    And when I'm feeling homesick

Full with wisdom and with wine                         And getting cold far away from home

Clear waves of the river floating                       Then I spur my horse and ride toward Neckar Valley

Blue eyes sparkling bright....

Lore's new home was an apartment flat, situated on a hill overlooking the Neckar River, with a view of the historic castle ruins.  The family business, owned and managed by both her parents, provided financial security. Beneath the family's apartment, on the ground floor, was the storefront. The three front rooms were shelved with bolts of fabric and large mirrors, in front of which, customers could drape the fabric over their shoulder and get an impression of the finished garment. Many customers would bring their own tailor or dressmaker with them.It seemed that the new marriage was a good match.. her mother being a skilled seamstress and her new husband a cloth merchant.

Lore's responsibility was to run errands and make deliveries on her bicycle for the household and for the family business. Lore went everywhere on her bicycle, leaving it behind only to go on family outings or to the synagogue. She remembers that this was the one time in her life that she was a 'church-goer'. 

Many years later, as an adult, Lore would revisit Heidelberg and meet with friends from the sports organization that she had belonged to . With a name tag of "Lore" (as she now called herself), she was approached by a tall gentleman with white hair whose greeting to her was, 'Lotte, where is your bicycle?"

Heidelberg was.... and still is, a beautiful city with a baroque-style Old Town. Known as the Pearl Of the Neckar (river valley), the city is close to the confluence of the Rhine. This popular tourist destination's famous landmarks include... the romantic ancient stone castle ruins, a university, one of the oldest institutions in Europe, was founded in the 14th century, and a beautiful stone arch bridge that spans the Neckar River. The city was one of the few spared from destruction in WWII. The Allies had decided that because of it's historical importance and beauty, Heidelberg should be saved from bombardment. 

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A correction to the posting #24 Early Years.... Lore's nick name from infancy and on thru her school days, was Lotte....the last part of Leisalotte...her given name. But I will continue to refer to her as Lore, the name we all know her by.