Rebecca Gratz to Maria Gist Gratz - September 04, 1831

Rebecca tells her three nephews in Lexington how much she has missed them since they left Philadelphia.

Miriam writes to her aunt Rebecca, describing the success and festivities of a celebration picnic for the Savannah Sunday School.

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 document is a formal wedding invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Edward James Koppel. They are inviting guests to the marriage of their daughter, Andrea Frances Koppel, to Mr. Kenneth Michael Pollack. The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2001, at half past four in the afternoon (4:30 PM). The wedding will take place at Cross Manor in Saint Inigoes, Maryland. The invitation also notes that a reception and dinner will follow the ceremony.

Rebecca expresses her concern for her sister-in-law Maria and her brother Ben after the death of their eldest son, Benjamin. She also hopes for their visit and updates her on the health of family members.

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