| Born: | 11-09-1917 |
| Faculty: | Medical School | Medical University Vienna |
| Category: | Expelled student |
Erich SYGAL, born on November 9th, 1917 in Vienna/Austria (entitled residency ("heimatberechtigt") for Vienna/Austria, citizenship 1938: Austria), son of Feiwisch Sygal (merchant, owner of a watch & jeweleryshop, born October 4th, 1888 in Kopyczynce /Poland, died in 1970) and Sara Sygal, née Mohr (born December 21st, 1889 in Vienna). The family lived in Vienna's 14th district, Reindorfgasse 13/3/4/22. After Erich Sygal had graduated from high school ("Bundesrealgymnasium") in Vienna's 14th district, he began to study medicine at the University of Vienna in fall term 1935/36. He was enrolled last in the spring term 1938 at the Medical School in the 3rd year of his studies.
In 1938, after the takeover of power of National-Socialism he was forced to quit his studies for racist reason and to leave the University of Vienna.
Erich Sygal tried to find a place to emigrate immediately after the "Anschluss". On March 16th,1938 he filled in a migration file at the Jewish Community Vienna. He spoke English language, had a valid passport but no money. To enhance his chances for emigration he took courses at a driving school and gained a drivers license, than a rather rare qualification in Austria. He succeeded to emigrate – "to any country willing to let me work and earn my living" ("In jedes Land wo ich eine Verdienstmöglichkeit haben kann. Ich bin zu jeder Arbeit bereit."), as he mentioned in the migration file – to Switzerland. There he tried to continue with his medical studies, but was not able to finish his studies under the conditions of emigration. His parents succeeded to leave Austria in July 1939 for Shanghai and lateron they met in Dominican Republic. He was able to settle in a jewish settlement in Sosúa/Dominican Republic, established a pharmacy and collaborated with a dairy company launched by the Jewish settlers.
Erich Sygal died on October 30th, 1976 in Sosúa.
Lit.: Archive of the University of Vienna/enrollment forms ("Nationale") MED 1935–1938; POSCH/INGRISCH/DRESSEL 2008, 489; information from his grandson Rosario Sygal, Dominican Republic, 2013, http://www.sosuamuseum.org/.
Katharina Kniefacz and Herbert Posch
