The Jewish businessman Simon Brod ran a successful textile import company in Istanbul with his brother Max. During World War II, Simon Brod worked for the Jewish Agency and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. He helped refugees to get to the British-mandated territory of Palestine and obtain the necessary travel documents and stamps for the journey. He worked with Arthur Whitall from the British Passport Office and Ahmet Demir, a high-ranking Turkish police officer.
In February 1942, the Struma sank off the Turkish coast with almost 800 refugees on board. David Stoliar from Romania was the only survivor, and was imprisoned in Istanbul as an illegal immigrant. Simon Brod provided Stoliar with additional food and clothing in prison for two months. He arranged for Stoliar’s release and organized his entry to Palestine.
Simon Brod with David Stoliar (left), shortly after Stoliar’s release from prison in Istanbul, 1942. Source: Privatbesitz/Private
Simon Brod (front left) and Joseph Beretta from the International Red Cross (center) welcoming Jewish refugees on their arrival in Istanbul on board the Bellacita, May 1944. Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington D.C., courtesy of Marta Brod, 86510
