Rebecca Gratz to Maria Gist Gratz - February 06, 1836

Rebecca tells her sister-in-law Maria of the education and health of Maria's son Howard, who is attending school in Philadelphia, and comments on the financial crisis in the country affecting family and friends as well as the Orphan Society.

Rebecca writes to her sister-in-law Maria about the health and future plans of family and friends, the newest literature, and progress in transportation. She also mentions her nephew's excitement about the visit of Maria's children.

Rebecca Johnson writes to Elie Wiesel, expressing her profound inspiration from his work, particularly "Night," which motivated her to dedicate herself to Holocaust education. She describes her experience teaching Holocaust classes for middle, high school, and adult groups, advising teachers, and publishing articles on the Holocaust and anti-Semitism, with the goal of developing a Holocaust Education Center in Virginia. Johnson recounts her recent visit to Israel, including Yad Vashem, and meeting Sholom Rosenfeld, editor of Maariv. She plans to attend a conference in Boston and hopes to meet Wiesel, who chairs the President's Council on the Holocaust, to offer her assistance. She also mentions proposing a Committee on Holocaust Studies for the National Council of Teachers of English.

Miriam wishes her aunt Rebecca an early happy birthday, tells of her brother Gratz Moses' stay with her, and gives updates on the health and travels of family and friends.

Writing to her sister-in-law Maria, Rebecca shares her thoughts on a book of correspondences she is reading, updates her on events at the Orphan Asylum, and comments on issues at the Medical School in Philadelphia. She also includes greetings from her servant, John.