Boston University letterhead of Elie Wiesel with recipient address and handwritten notes

Elie Wiesel expresses his regret for not being able to attend the Prix Galien award ceremony in Lyon due to prior engagements in the United States (university courses, conferences, meetings). He emphasizes the importance of the Prix Galien, noting that his friend Bruno Cohen is responsible for the award in France, Israel, and America. Wiesel praises the pharmaceutical industry, whose members fight against human suffering, acknowledging that while life with suffering is inevitable, their work, efforts, and dedication make it tolerable. He references the biblical teaching 'U-baharta bachaim' ('and you shall choose life'), interpreting it as an ideal to always side with life and the living. Wiesel concludes with a personal reflection that a human being is always immortal, even a minute before death, and expresses his gratitude for the laureates' quest.

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.

This is a brief, informal handwritten note from Colin L. Powell to 'Elie' (likely Elie Wiesel), dated February 26th (year unspecified). The note congratulates Elie on receiving the National Humanities Medal and states that it is "well-deserved."

Rebecca offers her friend Maria medical advice, updates her on Maria's sister's travels, and discusses the rewards and joys of raising and teaching children.

A thank you letter from Justine Volkman to Dr. Wiesel, expressing profound gratitude for his inspiring words on education, delivered to a group of presidential scholars. Volkman details her personal journey of realizing the importance of making a life over just making a living, a discovery she made while studying marketing. She informs Dr. Wiesel of her acceptance into Teach for America and her upcoming role teaching in a low-income school in Kansas City, MO. She attributes his words as a significant source of inspiration for her mission to close the achievement gap and for her future career as an educator, concluding with thanks for his life and legacy.