Rebecca Gratz to Maria Gist Gratz - November 26, 1832

Still affected by the death of her brother Simon, Rebecca writes to her sister-in-law Maria, thanking her for her consolation. She also updates her on the health and travels of family and friends.

Writing to her friend Maria, Rebecca describes the health of family and friends, social outings, and upcoming (and averted) nuptials.

Rebecca updates her sister-in-law Maria on the health and travels of family and friends and expresses her happiness about Horace's new position with the railroad. She also tells her that William Henry Furness plans to preach again after a period of illness.

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

Sarah (Sally) writes to her cousin Rebecca about news concerning the health and movement of family and friends.

Rebecca writes to her brother Ben about the death of their brother Hyman and how their family is coping with the loss of two brothers within a month.