Letter of thanks from President Nicolas Sarkozy to Elie and Marion Wiesel

This document comprises the program for the 1984 Commencement ceremony at Spertus College of Judaica, alongside an excerpt from a speech likely delivered by Marion Wiesel. The speech on the first page addresses the audience, including Chancellor Weinstein, and discusses her experiences as Elie Wiesel's wife and translator, describing translation as a 'journey' into Judaism, history, and human nature, and an 'ongoing process of discovery'. The subsequent pages detail the commencement schedule, including instructions for faculty, trustees, and honorees, the order of the processional and recessional, and information regarding caps, gowns, and photographs. It lists the names of faculty members, trustees, and members of the stage party who participated in the ceremony.

This is a brief, handwritten thank you note from François Busnel, associated with "la Grande Librairie" and "Rosebud Productions," addressed to "Cher Élie." Busnel expresses his deep gratitude for Élie's presence, words, listening, and loyalty, describing the occasion as an "important moment, stolen from time and the march of the world." The note concludes with a friendly closing and Busnel's signature. The letterhead indicates the involvement of "Rosebud Productions" based in Paris.

A handwritten thank-you note from Marion and Elie Wiesel to Shirley, dated March 3, 1993. The Wiesels apologize for the delay in sending the note, attributing it to a sequence of urgent priorities. They thank Shirley for her "lovely party" and compliment her on the friends she gathered, the excellence of the food, and the overall management. They also mention the unexpected absence of their "dear friend Abe" and express a wish to catch up with Shirley after her holiday in "The Sun." The note is signed "Fondly, E. + M."

Albert Miller was a sergeant in the 303rd Bomb Group, 358th Squadron of the U.S. First Air Force, stationed in England in 1944. On November 21st, serving his 35th mission as radio operator gunman, his B17 bomber was shot down near Frankfurt. Landing at Oberursel, he faced rock-throwing civilians until German soldiers took him to a Luftwaffe prison for interrogation. He refused to divulge military information, despite threatened transfer to the GESTAPO. After 11 days of solitary confinement, he was taken with other prisoners of war in crowded passenger train compartments, to STALAG #4 at Grossye-Tychow [phonetic spelling]. There, as a non-commissioned officer, he did not have to work and could join classes, play ball and write songs for theatricals. A meager camp diet was supplemented by Red Cross packages. About January 10, 1945, the prisoners were transported by freight train to Barth, and he details the indignities of standing with over 50 men in a cattle car for four days and five nights. At STALAG #1, some guards were friendly, others were vicious. Increased hunger led some Prisoners of War to salvage potato peelings from German officers’ garbage. Encouragement came from BBC news received on hidden radios and from a Red Cross visit. After the Russian liberation of the camp on May 1, 1945, Mr. Miller observed the deteriorated condition of survivors emerging from a concentration camp nearby in Barth. He left STALAG #1 on May 13, and returned to the United States on June 20 on the SS General Butner. Interviewee: MILLER, Albert Date: October 14, 1994

A letter from Marion and Elie Wiesel, on behalf of The Elie Wiesel Foundation For Humanity, to Irshad Manji, expressing gratitude for her inspiring words and presentation at Elie Wiesel's 80th birthday celebration, which was held at the 92nd Street Y. The authors commend Manji's "deep feeling and humor" and convey their hope for future encounters.