Oskar Schindler saved Jews from death at the Nazi Gross-Rosen concentration camp during World War II, and when he went bankrupt years later, the famous “Schindler Jews” reached out to him with an offer — and money — to come to Israel.
“I am speechless after all of the sad experiences of recent times, for such wonderful help and a rescue at this most serious time,” he responded in 1962.
“I am particularly proud that many of you, my dear and longtime friends, express the wish to welcome me in Israel as a guest and friend, which was previously mostly reserved for German government members. Of course, I would like to come,” he added in the letter to the “Schindlerjuden.”
Now that rare letter is being offered as part of a historic World War II online auction that will be held early next week at Alexander Historical Auctions. It could fetch $20,000.
Once known mostly in Holocaust circles, Schindler’s story of saving some 1,300 Polish Jews became a worldwide sensation when director Steven Spielberg filmed “Schindler’s List.” The movie documented how the arms factory owner wooed camp leaders to loan him workers.
Alexander Historical Auctions, which plans to offer the letter next Tuesday in the online sale, said that Schindler left for Argentina after the war but returned to West Germany, where he failed at starting several businesses. Eventually, he was buried on Jerusalem’s Mount Zion, “the only member of the Nazi Party to be honored in this way.”
