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1933 (1 May) Isaac Herzog, Chief Rabbi of Ireland

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1933 (1 May) Isaac Herzog, Chief Rabbi of Ireland to Chief Justice Kennedy, concerning atrocities against Jews in Germany – an early account of the persecution under the Nazis. manuscript on printed letterhead 27 by 22cm., 10.5 by 8.5in. Provenance: Hugh Kennedy; thence by descent Letter from Isaac Herzog, Chief Rabbi of Ireland to Chief Justice Kennedy. 1 May `1933. 4pp. all hand-written. Original envelope by registered mail to Kennedy's home at Newstead, Clonskeagh. The Chief Rabbi pleads with Kennedy for action to be taken to expose atrocities against German Jews: The position is going from bad to worse. We no longer cry out about the atrocities but I have it from an indubitable source that Jews are being killed in Germany every day, though with such devilish methodicity and "scientific" design and plan that it is difficult to speak of pogroms in Germany. Many Jews brought to the extreme end of despair are committing suicide. A very prominent Jewish jurist, one of the leading figures in German Jewry whom I know personally has exclaimed: "Would to Heaven that 5000 Jews were killed in Germany in one open pogrom, for then the world might wake up!" The letter is accompanied by a list of 29 prominent Irish persons, whom the writer claims will support his protest. The list includes Cardinal MacRory, Archbishop Gregg, W.B. Yeats, AE, Provost Gwynn etc. Isaac Herzog later became Chief Rabbi of Israel and his son, Chaim (1918-93), became President of the State of Israel (1988-93). This is a very important letter providing evidence for mass persecution of Jews as early as May 1933 (2 items)

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