Rebecca Gratz to Miriam Gratz Moses Cohen - October 30, 1856

Rebecca updates her sister-in-law Ann on her son Jo Shelby's education and shares how much she revels in the company of Lizzie Blair, Mary Riggs, and her niece Sara Joseph. She also comments on developments in the Mexican-American War and the signing of the Oregon Treaty to settle a longstanding territorial dispute.

Writing to her sister-in-law Ann, Rebecca gives treatment advice for the hair loss her her niece Miriam is experiencing, tells of the apprehensions of various family members regarding the political situation, and comments on the fashion of the Black population in Philadelphia.

Rebecca writes to her friend Maria about the health of her friend, the release of Washington Irving's newest publication, the appearance of Yellow Fever in her city and its possible connection to the Fourth of July celebration.

A personal letter from 'Pe.' in Berlin to 'Elie' dated June 26, 1999. The author expresses strong agreement with Elie's judgments on Kosovo and columns in Dagens Nyheter, crediting Elie with teaching him a lot over 20 years. The author is finishing a stay at Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, planning to travel to Sweden, and recently visited Jerusalem. He mentions Michael potentially becoming a leading political figure and another student of Elie's making an impact. Enclosed are two speeches by 'Andy' (on Sweden and 'deniers') and 'Jamine' (on war/mass murder), which are academic versions of ideas the author worked on in the 90s, inspired by Elie. Pe. conveys deep personal affection, missing Elie's voice, humor, encouragement, and moral strength, and frequently quotes him. The letter concludes with hopes to meet soon and shares family news: his oldest son, John, is marrying at the Swedish Embassy in Paris on October 27th. He also sends love to Marion and asks why she hasn't called, providing a phone number.

Rebecca writes to her sister-in-law Maria, updating her on the preparations for her niece's wedding and expresses her sorrow over the deaths of her synagogue's minister, Abraham Keys, and a close family friend, Gertrude Meredith.