Hirsch (Herzel) Isaksen had applied to study dentistry, but because he was not of “Aryan origin”, he was not accepted. The letter is dated 12^th June 1933. Just five months earlier, Adolf Hitler had been chosen as Chancellor of Germany, and the letter is a clear example of the antisemitic politics which now governed the country.

Translation of the letter from the University of Leipzig:

Due to your request, we are informing you that you are registered onto a pre-clinical course for the winter semester 33/34 on the condition of your being of Aryan descent. We are asking you to give us a response between 15^th-20^thJuly regarding whether you wish to keep the registration. If yes, we are asking you to register between 27^th-30^th October and be present on 1.11.33 at 10 for an initial conversation and allocation of space. If not, you will automatically lose your place.