Levi Family Collection

The Levi Family Collection documents portions of Eric Levi's life, particularly his experiences in Nazi Germany and later return to Germany as part of the 100th Infantry Division of the United States Army, as well as the history of the Thalheimer family of Bensheim, the family of Inge Levi (née Thalheimer).

The first three folders of this collection, including an oversized scrapbook, relate to Eric Levi's attendance at the Peutinger Gymnasium in Ellwangen and to his return to his childhood home during World War II. Included are copies of newspaper clippings about these topics, a letter from a German resident who had been living in the Levi family's former home when Eric came there as an American soldier, and a flyer for the exhibit "Wer war Erich Levi?". There is also a letter of recommendation for Eric from a German employer for whom he worked as a sales intern. The oversized scrapbook primarily relates to Eric Levi's time in Europe as an American soldier, with many newspaper clippings from military newspapers regarding the progression of the war and especially of the 100th Infantry Division as well as many photographs of Eric Levi as a soldier or of locations he visited as one. The newspaper clippings include articles about his return to Ellwangen, and announcements of the deaths of Roosevelt and Hitler, as well as many articles about battles in which the 100th Infantry Division participated. In addition the scrapbook contains some military documents, such as notification of his receiving the Bronze Star for attending to wounded comrades while under heavy enemy fire, and training certificates, as well as some French currency. A few German newspaper clippings from the 1930s are also included. Folder 1/2 contains military papers for Eric Levi, including official letters relating to his instructions for his induction in 1942 and separation in 1946, copies of his enlisted record and honorable discharge, and an address book from this time. Another letter from 1942 approves his eligibility to serve in the military as an alien. Other documents relate to a promotion in rank, financial instructions, a form requesting leave while in France, a booklet about the 100th Infantry Division, and a Rosh Hashanah card sent to him by his parents.

Folder 1/3 holds papers about Inge Levi (née Thalheimer), with much information about the town of Bensheim where the Thalheimers had lived, including genealogical information on the Thalheimers and related families. Included are copies of articles about the Thalheimer and Sternheim families in Bensheim; a copy of Inge Levi's birth certificate; and copies from the town register of Thalheimer family members, with their biographical dates, addresses, and professions; and copies of bills from the Thalheimer family clothing factory. In addition the folder includes correspondence between Inge Levi and the mayor's office in Bensheim regarding a 1989 visit by former Jewish residents and general information about the town and its history.

Other documents about Eric and Inge Levi's later lives may be found in folder 1/4. These include a copy of their marriage license and certificate, a good conduct certificate for Eric Levi prior to a trip to South America, and his death certificate while in Venezuela. Copies of Michael Levi's birth and marriage certificates are also present.

Loose family photographs and a few postcards are located in folder 1/5. Many of these also feature Eric Levi as a soldier in Europe, showing him with his fellow soldiers, or the displaced people he worked with; many of these photographs include his handwritten comments about the photos' subjects. There are also photographs of Nazi events in Ellwangen during the 1930s. A few photographs from the 1920s of children, including young Eric Levi, are included. In addition are a few family photographs from the 1960s and of later generations of the Levi family. Postcards include a postcard sent to Eric from the Graf Zeppelin airship, a postcard sent to him by his parents commemorating January 30, 1933, and a postcard sent by Gustav Herz to his wife from the concentration camp Dachau. Folder 1/5 also contains some German currency (Reichsmark and occupation forces currency).

Correspondence to and from Michael Levi comprises folder 1/6. Much of this correspondence mentions his father's experiences in Ellwangen.

The final folder (1/7) of the collection holds a few notes and a letter concerning Inge Levi's German pension.