Two files of papers of Dr. Theodor Herzl containing his political and literary testament, one sealed package and several dozen private letters and photographs were discovered today in the library of the Vienna Jewish Community.
The sealed package bears the inscription, “Herzl’s letters–do not open for 40 or 50 years.” The package bears the date March 1, 1937, which means that it will not be opened until 1977 or 1987. The package was sealed by Moritz Reichenfeld, executor of Dr. Herzl’s estate.
In his literary testament, the founder of the political Zionist movement wrote on Feb. 12, 1897: “What I was for the Jews, the coming generations will judge better than the present large masses.” In another passage he wrote: “My name will grow after my death.”
In another testament, written March 5, 1903, Dr. Herzl expressed the wish to be buried in the same grave with his father and sister until “the Jewish people carry my body to Palestine.” One of the two files contains letters to Dr. Herzl’s friends and parents, as well as missives from colleagues in Paris, Constantinople and other places, and drafts of speeches and articles. The Jewish community here will hand over the complete file to Dr. David Lewin, Israel representative in Austria, and Franz Jambor, director of the Jewish Agency office in Vienna.
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