Rebecca Gratz to Benjamin Gratz - January 23, 1850

Rebecca writes to her brother Ben, describing in detail the consecration service of the newly built Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. She also gives him updates on family and friends.

Rebecca tells her friend Maria about her uncertain travel plans to see her, and updates her on the summer travels of others and various upcoming weddings.

Rebecca tells her sister-in-law Rosa Marx's death had on her mother and updates her on the health and travels of family and friends. She also comments on the Crimean War.

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

This letter, dated January 5, 2011, is an invitation from William Jefferson Clinton to Elie Wiesel. Clinton invites Wiesel to deliver the keynote address at the 2011 Winter Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) on Thursday, February 17, at the Sentry Center Midtown East in New York City. The letter explains that the meeting will convene CGI's Action Networks, which were established in 2009 to facilitate coordination among CGI members on issues such as reducing poverty, improving the environment, and increasing global access to health care and education. Clinton expresses honor at the prospect of Wiesel's participation and directs him to contact Christina Sass, CGI's Deputy Director of Program, to confirm his availability for the keynote address during the final plenary session.