Letter of Gratitude for Ph.D. Recommendation

This letter, dated August 20, 2013, is from Selden K. Smith and Mrs. Barbara Parker of the South Carolina Council on the Holocaust to Professor Elie Wiesel. The authors express disappointment over Wiesel's canceled visit to Greenville, South Carolina, due to health reasons, and wish him a speedy recovery. They fondly recall his past visits to Columbia College, the University of South Carolina, and the College of Charleston. Smith, a member of the SC Council and an advisory committee to the Jewish studies program at the College of Charleston, praises Wiesel's insights on Holocaust memory and education, specifically mentioning his essay in the Jerusalem Quarterly. The letter also outlines the Council's ongoing initiatives, including an upcoming October conference on Holocaust Education, efforts to secure materials from Yad Vashem Jerusalem, and the sponsorship of an Anne Frank House exhibit touring various South Carolina schools in Columbia, Walterboro, and Charleston. The authors conclude by expressing their hope to expand Holocaust education beyond Amsterdam.

A. M. Rosenthal writes to Elie Wiesel, expressing deep gratitude for Wiesel's arrangements for a recent conference and visit in Moscow. Rosenthal notes that without Wiesel's help, gaining swift access to people, including figures like Gorbachev, would have been impossible or taken months. He reflects on his previous visits to Moscow and states that this was the first time he felt a real sense of community with the Russians and compassion for them. Rosenthal mentions having just returned from a brief vacation in Mexico and concludes by sending embraces and love, and enclosing a check for his airfare to be passed on to Roberta Goldman, thanking her for her arrangements and courtesy.

This is a thank-you letter from George H.W. Bush, on White House stationery, to Dr. Elie Wiesel. Dated June 26, 1989, the letter expresses gratitude for a warm welcome at Boston University and acknowledges Dr. Wiesel's inspiring invocation, highlighting his immense talents. Barbara Bush is also mentioned as joining in sending best wishes. The letter is signed by George H.W. Bush and addressed to Dr. Elie Wiesel at Boston University, 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.

William J. Perry, the Secretary of Defense, writes to Elie Wiesel to express his sincere thanks for a copy of Wiesel's book "Night/Dawn/Day" and its generous inscription. Perry conveys deep gratitude for Wiesel's thoughtfulness. He commends Wiesel's writings for powerfully addressing global challenges to peace and freedom, noting the continued relevance of "Night," even 40 years after its creation. Perry also references a shared speakers' platform in Miami and looks forward to future encounters. The letter indicates an enclosure.

A letter dated July 26, 1985, from President Ronald Reagan to Elie Wiesel. In the letter, President Reagan expresses his gratitude to Mr. Wiesel for his message and prayers, stating his belief that God granted him a "comfortable and speedy recovery." He further conveys that both he and Nancy (Nancy Reagan) are deeply grateful for the kindness and warmth offered by Wiesel and many other friends. The letter is addressed to Mr. Elie Wiesel in his capacity as Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, located in Washington, D.C.