On 29 May 1933 the Dresden Educational Authority informed the pediatrician Friedrich Wilhelm Ehrenfreund (1875–1934) that his dismissal as a school physician in April was being revoked. A highly decorated medical officer during the First World War, Ehrenfreund had proved his status as a war veteran and was therefore exempted from the general ban placed on Jewish professionals. However, any hopes that Ehrenfreund may have had that he could continue with his work were immediately dashed. The Educational Authority was in fact only postponing his dismissal for three months. Due to the "current situation" his replacement had already been appointed. The letter ends with a brief expression of thanks and a reassurance that he will receive moneys owing to him.
From this point onwards things only got worse for the pediatrician. Apart from running his own practice on Bismarckplatz, he had also been working on a voluntary basis for several charitable institutions, which he had in part helped found and organize. Now he found himself being systematically driven out of his profession to the point where in January 1934 he was forced to close his practice. The ruin of this respected physician‘s career was something he never recovered from. In February 1934, at the age of 58, he died of unexplained causes.
The destruction of his career in 1933 must have initially seemed incomprehensible to Friedrich Ehrenfreund. He had been born in 1875 to the horn meal manufacturer Aron Ehrenfreund and his Protestant wife Agnes and was baptized shortly afterwards. In 1883 his father also converted to Christianity. Despite experiencing the horrors of the First World War, Friedrich Ehrenfreund had remained a committed German patriot. As he wrote in February 1918, "We are happy to endure it all so that our aged parents can sleep soundly and our children will remain free and happy citizens." This ideal of the free and happy citizen was already shattered for Friedrich Ehrenfreund in the initial months of 1933.
Ulrike Neuwirth
Dresden Educational Authority
Stadthaus, Theaterstrasse 11/13, III
Herr
School physician Dr. med. Fritz Ehrenfreund
Dresden
With date of delivery
29 May 1933.
In light of the fact that you have proved with the attached certification from the Dresden branch of the Reich archives that you are to be accorded the status of a war veteran, we are hereby revoking the termination issued in writing on 11 April 1933 of your position as school physician at the 2nd and 47th elementary schools and the Vitzhum Secondary School as of 31 July 1933.
As per our letter of 8 April 1927 – VIa I 1 – your position as a school physician at the schools may be terminated with three months notice. In view of the current situation, we now feel compelled to assert this right of termination and dismiss you from your position as school doctor at the 2nd and 47th elementary schools and the Vitzhum Secondary School as of 31 August 1933. We would like to thank you for your work as a school physician at the schools referred to. We ask that in future you no longer offer any services at these schools. We have organized for Dr. med. Pusinelli to take over your duties. Moneys contractually owed to you up to 31 August 1933 will be transferred to you in good time.
Dresden City Council,
Educational Authority
(Signature)
