2007 Clinton Global Initiative Membership Invitation

This is a typewritten letter on "The Secretary of State Washington" letterhead, dated November 21, 2011. It is addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Elie Wiesel (Elie and Marion) from Hillary Rodham Clinton. In the letter, Clinton extends heartfelt condolences on the passing of her beloved mother, Dorothy Rodham, and expresses gratitude for the Wiesels' thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. She also thanks them for acknowledging her mother's remarkable life. Below her typed signature, there is a handwritten note from Hillary Clinton that reads: "Thanks so much ~ and I miss you too!".

Rebecca writes to her brother Ben, giving updates and opinions on the courtships of her nieces and nephews, the health struggles of their brother Jacob, and tells him of the lectures she enjoyed on Jewish history.

Rebecca writes to her-sister-in-law Maria, pondering the reasons for her prolonged silence. She also discusses her changed view of Phrenology and describes the costumes their nieces wore to a party.

Rebecca tells her sister-in-law Maria of the death of a family friend, Gertrude Meredith. She also shares her impressions of Rabbi Moses Nathan and updates her on the health and travels of family and friends.

Rabbi Relles born in Skala, Poland June 2, 1908 lived in Italy from 1933 to 1944. He studied at a university and a rabbinical college. He explains how he managed to remain in Italy as a student. He describes Mussolini’s treatment of Jews and his changing attitude towards Hitler. Even after anti-Jewish laws were passed in1938, and his arrest and brief internment in June 1940 first in Campagna, then in Ferramonti, he was treated extremely well by the Italians. In December 1943, after police warned Jews they would be arrested, Rabbi Relles tried to flee. He was arrested near the Swiss border and detained first at a Questara in Como, then at a barracks in Camerlata in Northern Italy. He describes his escape to Milan, stays at various safe houses, and living in a rest home under a false name, using papers giving him a new identity, helped by individual Italians, nuns and a committee that worked to rescue Jews. He explains how he survived and gives a very detailed account of his escape to Switzerland in April 1944 - when he was brought to Como from Milan as part of a group rescue organized by a Mrs. Comelli. He cites many instances of help by non-Jews and kind treatment from Italians during this period. He arrived in the United States from Switzerland November 8, 1951. Interviewee: RELLES, Rabbi Mayer Date: June 27, 1983