Twenty-six previously unknown letters and six postcards written by Austrian-Jewish author Stefan Zweig, considered one of the greatest European authors of the 20th century, will soon be on exhibit at the National Library in Jerusalem. The letters and postcards comprise correspondence between Zweig and one of his readers, Hans Rosencranz of the then-Prussian capital of Konigsberg (present-day Russian Kaliningrad). Their correspondence began in 1921, when 16-year-old Rosencranz wrote to Zweig to ask how he should plan his life to become an author. The last letter ended in 1933, with the Nazis' rise to power. Rosenkranz's 92-year-old stepdaughter, Hanna Jacobson, gifted the letters to the National Library. According to Dr. Stefan Litt of the National Library, Zweig saw great promise in Rosenkranz and decided to serve as his mentor and support him financially. The pair met at one point. And when Rosenkranz founded a publishing firm, Zweig recommended him to his author friends. In their correspondence, the two discussed many issues related to Judaism. In one of his letters to Rosenkranz, Zweig wrote, "A Jew should be proud of his Jewishness and show it off.
The anti-Semitism and the hate, as well as the internal rift, are ancient components of our -- always problematic -- historical fate.
We must not, therefore, look for a way out; we must be brave to stay our fate. If Judaism is a tragedy, let us live it." In another letter, Zweig responded to Rosenkranz's mention of the possibility of immigrating to Israel. Zweig, who never visited Palestine, said he did not support the Zionist ideal. Rosenkranz immigrated to Palestine in 1933. Zweig, who authored over 30 novels and selections of prose in his lifetime, including "The World of Yesterday" and "The Royal Game," managed to escape Europe at the outbreak of World War II, moving to London and New York before ultimately settling in Brazil. In February 1942, despairing about the future of humanity as a result of the war, Zweig and his wife, Charlotte, committed suicide. The National Library will hold a special event in honor of the reception of Zweig's letters and postcards next week.
