Letter from Leo Baeck regarding Haym Salomon (MLH 4980/1)
People living in different eras obviously do not have the opportunity to meet in real time. Sometimes, however, their destinies intertwine thanks to unexpected coincidences, creating an opportunity for great minds to come into spiritual contact. There are also adventures of sorts in learning about other people's achievements and restoring the memory of them to descendants. An example of this is the relationship that emerged in connection with the research conducted at the municipal archive in Leszno. Its participants included two outstanding residents of Leszno: Haym Salomon (1740–1785) – one of the founding fathers of the United States of America – and Leo Baeck (1873–1956) – a rabbi, philosopher, lecturer and one of the leaders of liberal Judaism.
Stored in the collections of the District Museum in Leszno, Rabbi Leo Baeck's letter is a continuation of his earlier, unpreserved correspondence addressed to the Leszno city council. It is a copy of an original document in which the author has included information on the life and activities of Haym Salomon. Baeck suggested looking for more detailed data in the studies he mentioned. He also emphasised his willingness to help and serve in person if the mayor of Leszno expressed such a need. He concluded by mentioning his intention to visit his hometown in the near future. The purpose of the visit was to conduct further research and gain new information about Haym Salomon's family in the local Jewish cemetery.
The document was drawn up in German, on smooth, copy paper in the shape of a vertical rectangle. The text is double-sided, typewritten, with a date: "Berlin, 13 May 1931" and the author's signature: "Dr Baeck, Rabbi". The copy was attached to a letter sent by the vice mayor of Leszno, Tomasz Sobkowiak, sent to the Leszno district governor in February 1939. He reported in it that the Polish Consulate General in New York had previously sought documents relating to Haym Salomon.
The letter has been in the collection of the Leszno museum for many years, but it is not known under what circumstances it was obtained. In 2019, it was transferred from the auxiliary inventory to the main inventory of historical collections.
Dariusz Czwojdrak
