Papers of Benjamin Eichler
Scope and Content Note
This record group is a collection, rather than the personal papers of Benjamin Eichler. It does contain some of his papers, including his memoir and his identity documents, but there are no other writings or personal correspondence of his. Instead, there is material relating to the history of the Jews of Slovakia, notably including the pinkas (community record book) of Liptovsky Mikulas, also known as Liptau. This record book (1845-1867), which covers more than two decades, includes many details of life in the town, such as the reception of the Archduke Albrecht, synagogue regulations, tax and election records, and an inventory of the writings of the Rabbi Ber Nicolau.
The collection also includes Holocaust memoirs, lists of victims and of non-Jews who saved Jews, records of cemeteries and mass graves, records and photographs of labor camps, and memorial materials (specially produced memorial booklets as well as texts of prayers and sermons given in honor of the dead).
Dates
- Creation: 1845-1980
Language of Materials
The collection is in Slovak and German, with a few items in English and Hebrew.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open to the public. Permission to publish part or parts of the collection must be obtained in writing from the YIVO Archives.
Use Restrictions
There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:
YIVO Archives, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011
email: archives@yivo.cjh.org
Biographical / Historical
Benjamin Eichler was born in 1908, and was an Orthodox rabbi in Bratislava. He served as the head of the Central Association of Jewish Religious Congregations, starting in 1949. Jewish life became increasingly constrained there under Communist rule, and it made headlines when he was able to meet with Western Jewish leaders at the World Jewish Congress in Geneva in 1968. In 1969 he was forced to resign, and in 1972 to leave the country entirely. His children had already left Slovakia. He settled in Toronto, Canada.
Extent
0.67 Linear Feet
Abstract
Benjamin Eichler was a rabbi and leader of the Jewish community in Bratislava, Slovakia. This collection includes Rabbi Eichler’s memoirs and some of his personal papers, as well as materials he collected documenting Jewish life in Slovakia. Notable among these is the pinkas (community record book) of Liptovsky Mikulas, also known as Liptau, and the records of cemeteries and mass graves in Slovakia.
Acquisition Information
These records were given to YIVO by Dr. Benjmain Eichler in a series of parcels sent from 1981 to 1982.
Genre / Form
- Autobiographies (literary works)
- Financial records
- Grave Registers
- Minutes (administrative records)
- Testimonies
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Papers of Benjamin Eichler (1908-1990) 1845-1980 RG 1097
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by YIVO staff. Additional Processing by Sarah Ponichtera
- Date
- ©2015
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
- Sponsor
- Made possible by the Leon Levy Foundation and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany.
Repository Details
Part of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Repository
