Bela Herrmann

Herrmann, Bela (Osijek, 1867 – Auschwitz, 1942), wholesaler.

Son of David and Neti/Nanette née Kohn. After finishing high school, he continued to run his father’s company (Salamon Weisz & David Herrmann) in Donji grad. He expanded his business with his brother Dragutin and founded the First Slavonian Institute for the Procurement of Uniforms and Equipment. In 1906, he married Rosa née Reichsmann (Đakovo, 1882 – Osijek, 1921). The marriage produced sons Vilim (1907) and Makso (1909). From 1914 to the spring of 1941, he was president of the Jewish Religious Community of Donji grad, and from 1927, president of the Jewish Supply House (Old People’s Home) and president of the Board of Trustees. In 1934 he was a member of the delegation that traveled to Belgrade for the funeral of King Alexander. He was a member of the Croatian Civic Reading Room in the lower town, as well as a member of the “Menora” lodge from Osijek.

Source: Dobrovšak, Lj. Židovi u Osijeku od doseljavanja do kraja Prvoga svjetskog rata. Židovska općina Osijek, 2013.