Archive of letters sent to Judge Dr. Benjamin Halevy (1910-1996), who served as a judge in the Eichmann trial in 1961. Almost all of the items (excluding 10) relate to the Eichmann trial. [1960s-1970s; a number of earlier documents]. German, English and Hebrew.
Most of the letter senders are unknown personalities. Their letters include blessings, words of appreciation and thanks, analyses, reflections and opinions regarding the trial. Some provide information and testimony, others express opposition to the prosecution of Eichmann in Israel, protest it or propose to pardon him. One letter was sent by a neo-Nazi from Czechoslovakia. Some were sent by eccentrics, including one person who calls himself "The Messiah".
* The archive includes, among other things, six letters addressed to judges Benjamin Halevy and Moshe Landau, written by Andre Biss, cousin of Joel Brand, who was a member of the "Aid and Rescue Committee" headed by Israel Kastner in Budapest, and was involved with the "Kastner Train"; Brand was considered, in retrospect, a controversial figure (June-July 1961). The letters mention Eichmann, Kastner and Joel Brand. Three are signed by him in pen, and the other three are carbon copies made at the time.
* In addition the archive includes a long letter from Prof. Herbert Melzig, a German-Jewish professor of Arabic languages, employed by Hitler at the beginning of the Nazi regime. Melzig fled to Turkey in 1938 (he was a close friend of Kemal Ataturk and even wrote a book about him). Prof. Melzig maintained contact with Father Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, later Pope John XXIII, and the two attempted to save Jews from the Nazis. The letter, spanning six pages, presents his version of events that occurred during the war and in later years, and mentions Kastner, Joel Brand, Roncalli, and others.
Total of approx.100 items. Size and condition vary.