5 October 1941
'No Reason to Worry'
The Dutch Jewish communist Alex de Leeuw was arrested by the Nazis in May 1941. His letters from camp Schoorl and Amersfoort testify to his strong will: "we should pity those who lead colourless lives and who never have a sublime thought." De Leeuw is mainly worried about his mother's health and up to the bitter end tries to reassure her about his own. On 4 August 1942 De Leeuw dies in Auschwitz. His letters are included in the Ger Harmsen collection at the IISH. ("Dear Mother, I seize the opportunity to write and wish you a happy birthday. There is no need to have sleepless nights about me; there is no reason to worry about my physical or mental well being here.")