Letter From Nathan Schwalb (1908-2004) to Roswell Mcclelland

Typed letter, 7.6.45 at top right, signature of N Schwalb at lower right Information Provided by Michael D. Bulmash: Nathan Schwalb was a Polish member of the HeChalutz movement, a Zionist youth movement that trained young people for agricultural settlement in Palestine. Moved by the growing plight of Jews in Europe, Schwalb relocated to Switzerland to offer his assistance. He became the representative of the World Hechalutz movement in Geneva, and an important resource for persecuted Jews in Europe, raising and transferring funds, sending parcels through the Red Cross, and helping Jews escape from Europe. In the effort to gather and communicate information regarding the plight of Jews in German-occupied countries, Schwalb corresponded with fellow Hechalutz activists, including Saly Mayer of the Joint Distribution Committee, Dr. Abraham Silberschein of RELICO, and Gisi Fleischmann regarding the situation of Jews in Slovakia. This letter to Roswell McClelland (the representative of the War Refugee Board in Bern, Switzerland) from July 1945, concerns a package Schwalb attempted to send to acquaintances (“girlfriends”) in Mauthausen concentration camp (probably after it had become a DP camp), detailing the content of the package (clothes, food, a sewing kit, etc.). He states he knows that much is to be done and that the items he sends are only a small part. He hopes they will be happy with the items. And “we will be happy if we can take care of them until they regain their health.” He thanks McClelland and wishes him strength for the trip to the camp. The letter is signed by Schwalb.https://digital.kenyon.edu/bulmash/2871/thumbnail.jp