Ismar Freund, 1876–1956, historian, jurist, rabbi, politician, maternal uncle of Ismar David.
The eighth of twelve children, Ismar Freund grew up in busy and pious atmosphere, where societal and religious responsibilities were upheld. He earned a degree in law from the University of Breslau and was ordained a rabbi at the Jewish Theological Seminary. As impressive as this is, his elder (by seven and a half years) brother, Samuel, had also studied at both institutions. While Samuel become a practicing rabbi in Hannover, Ismar entered the political and civic life of the Jewish community in Berlin and became one of its leaders. He was an expert on law covering the relationship of church and state and wrote extensively about it. He lectured and was a co-founder of the Preussische Landesverband juedischer Gemeinden.
He married Elisa Graetzer, on February 11, 1905 in Gross-Strehlitz. Their children, Peter (b. 1906), Paul (b.1909) and Marianne (later Miriam, b. 1913) were all born in Berlin.1Thank you to Peter Crosby’s massive family tree. In 1938, Freund’s son Peter was among those seized by the Gesapo after Kristallnacht. Freund and his wife rushed to Erfurt to rescue him. Father and son were both imprisoned in Buchenwald where Freund witnessed beatings and torture. Upon his release two weeks later, he and his family sought the help of the British consul and emigrated to Palestine. Freund considered his imprisonment as a sign from God, without which he probably would have remained in Germany and perished.2Joachim Rott, Ismar Freund, Jüdische Miniaturen, Band 225. Leipzig: Hentrich & Hentrich, 2018, p.43.
While attending the Kunstgewerbe- und Handwerkerschule Berlin-Charlottenburg, Ismar David lived in Auerbachstrasse 2, a building owned by his uncle and aunt. Ismar David spoke warmly of his aunt, Elise Grätzer Freund, and was close to three cousins.
