Papers of Rabbi René Hirschler (RG 221)
Extent and Medium
5,568 digital images, JPEG
4 microfilm reels (digitized), 35 mm
Creator(s)
- René Hirschler
Biographical History
Rabbi Rene Hirschler (1905-1945) was a Chief Chaplain for foreign-born Jews in internment camps in the French free zone (1943). Performed relief work in concentration camps, detention and forced labor camps and was active in underground efforts for Jews in hiding. Died in the concentration camp Ebensee a few weeks before the end of the war.
Archival History
Yivo Institute for Jewish Research
Acquisition
Source of acquisition is the Yivo Institute for Jewish Research (YIVO), RG-221. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Archives received the collection from YIVO via the United States Holocaust Museum International Archives Project in Dec. 2014.
Scope and Content
The papers of René Hirschler consist of carbon copies of outgoing correspondence from the office of the chief chaplain. Included are letters to the network of regional chaplains and auxiliary chaplains, individuals interned in internment camps, hospitals, in the Groupements de Travailleurs Etrangers (foreign labor battalions). Also included are letters to individuals involved in the effort to provide assistance to foreign Jews in France during World War II; to Vichy government officials and to Jewish and non Jewish organizations. The collection is fragmentary and covers only the last nine months of Rabbi Hirschler’s administrative records, covering the period March 31, 1943 to December 20, 1943.
System of Arrangement
Arranged in one series: Correspondence. Organized chronologically, from March through December 1943, it reflects the original order of the correspondence as it was generated and kept.
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Copyright Holder: Yivo Institute for Jewish Research
People
- Babsky, A.
- Zasslowsky, Jean. M.
- Hirschler, Simone.
- Schwartz, Isaïe, 1876-1952.
- Hirschler, Rene, 1905-1945.
- Lipschitz, Mme.
Corporate Bodies
- Nexon (Concentration camp)
- Union générale des israélites de France
- Friends Relief Service
- Gurs (Concentration camp)
- National Board of the Young Men’s Christian Associations
- Brens (Concentration camp)
- Le Vernet (Concentration camp)
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
- Noé (Concentration camp)
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- World Union OSE
Subjects
- France.
- Jews--Nazi persecution--France--History--20th centry.
- Gers (France)--Politics and government.
- France--History--German occupation, 1940-1945.
- Executive departments.
- Marseille (France)
- World War, 1939-1945--Atrocities--France.
- United States.
- Humanitarian assistance.
- Paris (France)
- Lyon (France)
- Villeneuve-sur-Lot (France)
- World War War, 1939-1945--Refugees--France.
- World War War, 1939-1945--Rescues--France.
- Resistance Groups (ushmm)
- France--Politics and government--1940-1945.
- World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--France.
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--France.
Genre
- Document
- Correspondence.
Copies
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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum holds copies of Holocaust-relevant archives from Yivo Institute for Jewish Research