Louis Zander

Louis Zander, was born in Pollnitz , West Prussia, on July 13, 1870, son of Isaak Zander and Dore Falkenberg.  He was the youngest of 6 children.   In Berlin, Louis became a cabinet maker, then a piano  builder.  He owned a piano factory in the former Fruchstrasse and a piano store in Alt Moabit, 86 C, C9 Tiergarten in Berlin,  In addition, Louis Zander owned the Colosseum movie theater in the 1920’s which he sold.  About 10 years prior to that, he founded the Welt Kino in Berlin The building used to be Die Kirche Der Mollerei Bolle, and had been abandoned.  Louis Zander purchased it and turned it into a movie theater, which is still active.  At the time of the purchase, there were protests as it was a “Jew” purchasing the abandoned church.

Selma Steinheimer Zander was born on January 21, 1879 in Niederwerrn by Schweinfurt,  She was one of 6 children of Mannasse  Steinheimer and Esther Koehler Steinheimer.  Selma  attended school in Niederwerrn. She and Louis met in Berlin.

Louis and Selma married in Berlin on May 5, 1905.  Selma was a dedicated housewife  and mother, and was active in Louis’ businesses.  They had 3 sons:  Erwin, Lothar, and Fritz.     Louis Zander held onto his store as long as he could. After his 3 sons emigrated to the United States in 1939 and 1940, Louis began giving away his pianos to others who were emigrating, requesting they sell the piano and send the money to “his three boys” .  No one did.  It was quite by accident that his son Fritz, a piano technician in New York, came across a Louis Zander, Berlin piano that was for sale.  He purchased the piano, which remains in the family.

Louis and Selma waited as long as they could to leave Germany. After receiving the affidavit of support from their three sons, they attempted to make preparations to leave, but it was too late.  They wrote often to their sons, until January 1943. Their letters have been saved.

They were deported to Theresienstadt February 2, 1943.  Louis Zander was starved to death and died April 4,1944.   Selma Steinheimer Zander was subsequently transferred to Auschwitz extermination camp where she was murdered in the gas chamber upon arrival, May 16th 1944.

In his farewell letter to his sons, Louis Zander wrote : A good reputation and good memories are the best inheritance.