From the Alfred – Alf Schwarzbaum collection: Letters from Saul - Saly Gurewicz to Schwarzbaum and to international aid organizations, asking for financial support for him and for his friend Grisha Chvackinas, 1941 - 1944

From the Alfred – Alf Schwarzbaum collection: Letters sent by Saul - Saly Gurewicz to Schwarzbaum and to international aid organizations, asking for financial support for him and for his friend Grisha Chvackinas. 25 pages, typewritten and hadnwritten original, in Polish, Yiddish and German Saly was born in Vilnius in 1920, the son of Israel, a school principal, and Anna (nee Aronowicz). He had a sister named Tamara. In 1938, he moved to Grenoble, France, to study. In September 1941, fearing deportation, he fled to Switzerland and was interned in a detention camp. He contacted various organizations and people, including his sister in law, Marcia Glasser, in New York, asking for help. In October 1943, he began his studies at the Institute of Applied Psychology (IAP) in Zurich. His friend Grisha Chvackinas was with him in Switzerland, and Schwarzbaum sheltered them for one year. Inventory: 1. Letter dated 21 February 1941, asking for Schwarzbaum's help for Grisha, who is with him in Grenoble. He notes that Grisha's parents are in Kaunas. 1 page, handwritten original, in Polish 2. Two additional letters sent to Schwarzbaum on 10 and 28 January 1944 from Zurich, in which Saly reports on his condition and lists the addresses he has contacted for help. He thanks Schwarzbaum for transferring the money through Mrs. Tempel. In the second letter, Saly writes that Grisha is coming to visit Zurich. 6 pages, handwritten original, in Yiddish Saly's confirmation for the reception of 80 francs from Helena Tempel at Schwarzbaum's request, 7 January 1944, is enclosed. 1 page, typewritten original, in Polish 3. Two requests sent to international aid organizations: A. Letter sent from Zurich to the International Committee for Securing Employment for Refugee Professional Workers (Comite International pour le placement des Intellectuels Refugies) in Geneva. Saly writes his CV and that he needs financial supprot for his psychology studies since he is no longer supported by the Polish consulate. He adds that Schwarzbaum can verify the information and that a copy of this letter was sent to Mr. Otto Heim in Zurich. A study certificate from director of the IAP, Mr. H Biaesch, dated 5 January 1944, is enclosed. 2. Letter sent by Saly on 24 January 1944 to the Association of Swiss Jewish Refugee Aid and Welfare Organisations (VSJF) in Zurich, asking for financial support. 4 pages, typewritten, in German 4. Letter sent by Grisha to Schwarzbaum on 23 Juen 1943, writing that he is at the Lutinger residence in Zurich on vacation from the camp in which he is staying. 2 pages, handwritten original, in Yiddish About Alfred Schwarzbaum: Alfred (Alf) Schwarzbaum was a Jewish merchant from Bedzin, Poland, who fled to Switzerland after the occupation. In Switzerland, he set up a relief enterprise, and supported hundreds of Jews. Alfred (Alf) Schwarzbaum was born in 1896 in Sosnowiec, Poland. He later moved to Bedzin, became a businessman and started a family. In late September 1939, following the German occupation of Poland, he sent his daughter to England. In November 1939, he was jailed for several weeks in Myslowice and was interrogated by the Gestapo. After his release, he turned down an offer from Mosheh Merin, head of the Sosnowiec Jewish council, to be his deputy. Using his connections and his fortune, he was able to obtain visas for Switzerland. In April 1940, he left Poland and settled in Lausanne. Schwarzbaum soon started sending out food, clothing, money and papers to Poland. He managed to navigate between the often uncoordinated Jewish and Zionist organizations based in Switzerland, to transfer financial help to Jews in Poland. He sent hundreds of parcels to German occupied localities, via Lisbon, Sweden and Turkey. He visited refugee camps in Switzerland, and corresponded with persons living under the Nazi rule. He also produced passports, which led him into trouble with the Swiss police, who feared for violation of the country's neutrality policy. In 1945, he immigrated to Mandate Palestine. In Israel, he supported funds and provided stipends for students in need, in several Israeli institutes for higher education. He died in 1990.