Hans (Chanan) Mielzynski Collection

This collection consists primarily of hundreds of letters from Hans (Chanan) Mielzynski to his wife, Eva (Chawa). He would write at least weekly, and often more, while he was away. There are letters from Sedom, where he worked in the potash plant, and Ashdot(1941-1944); while in the Jewish Brigade, training in Egypt and fighting in Italy (1944-1945); and in Europe after the war helping displaced Jews emigrate to Palestine (1945-1946). The letters are primarily handwritten in German, with Hebrew words and phrases throughout.

The correspondence also includes about 15 letters from Chawa to Hans, from May 1945 to June 1946, including a letter returned to her after his death. These are also handwritten in German. Additional correspondence includes a few letters addressed to both Chawa and Hans from friends and family; about 20 letters to Hans, from various friends, including longtime friend Gerd Sorenson, in German and Hebrew, and two letters (in German) from Kurt Goldmann, of the Jewish Agency in Palestine office in the US Zone in Germany; and about 15 letters from friends and family to Chawa, including a June 1946 condolence letter that includes as an attachment a statement from Hans about his work and his love for the Land of Israel.

Other materials in this collection include a three-page biography (English) of Hans written in 2013 by freelance historian Hanna Eckhardt, as well as documents and correspondence about the circumstances of Hans Mielzynski's death and Chawa Mielzynski's application for death benefits. The collection also contains various items such as Mielzynski's German work references; a photo of his gravestone; a 1939 rail pass for Palestine; the newspaper announcement of Hans Mielzynski's birth; official documents; fragments of correspondence; two postcards with photos of Hans; and a school record for Hans's friend Erich Stiefel.