Gratz, Rebecca (1781-1869). Autograph Letter Signed written to her sister Rachel Gratz, in English.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

December 18-19

n.p

1800

Remarkably intimate letter to Gratz’s sister Rachel, from “Becky” as she here calls herself. Rebecca discusses their mutual friends, siblings, social activity, and repeatedly professes her affection for Rachel and her children. In one tender passage she compares one of her younger sisters to another who had died, she is like "my adored, ever regretted Angel Isabella."

This letter is a fine look into the social life of Rebecca Gratz and the close relationship with her sister Rachel (1783-1823). Indeed after Rachel died, Rebecca took her sister’s six children into her home and raised them herself. Deeply involved in Jewish education and other charitable good works, Rebecca was also highly sociable, and friends with such American literati as Washington Irving. An educated woman who always sought to enrich her own Jewish learning, Rebecca remained a proud and devout Jew amidst a very Christian environment, who never failed to defend her religious beliefs among Gentile friends. Rebecca founded the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society in 1819 to service Jewish woman and children in need, who heretofore, had to rely on the charity of Christians intent on evangelizing their Hebrew brethren in need.