Collection of Letters, Certificates and Paper Items – Commander of Kfar Etzion during the War of Independence – ...

Collection of Letters, Certificates and Paper Items – Commander of Kfar Etzion during the War of Independence – Letter of Condolences to His Family, Hand-signed by David Ben-Gurion
Fifteen letters, certificates and paper items relating to Avraham Fishgrund, commander of Kfar Etzion during the War of Independence. Kfar Etzion and elsewhere, late 1940s to late 1950s.
Items include:
• Eight handwritten letters, some written on stationery of the "Avraham Group" from Kfar Etzion, sent by Avraham to his wife Ruhama in the course of the war. The letters were sent to the Ratisbonne Monastery (to which women and children from the village were evacuated), and mention, among other issues: lack of supplies, observance of kashrut in wartime, false news items on English radio broadcasts, the birth of Avraham's daughter Ziona during the war, work on the Sabbath during the war, a letter as a "sign of life" after a heavy battle and other subjects.
• "The Fallen of Gush Etzion, May G-d Avenge Their Blood", leaf printed with the names of the fallen in the defense of Gush Etzion, according to dates of the battles. The last date appearing on the leaf is May 4, 1948, about ten days prior to the end of hostilities and the surrender of Gush Etzion. Possibly, the leaf was printed during the war.
• Handwritten document on parchment with the signature of David Ben-Gurion – letter of condolences to the family: "We hereby notify you with deep sorrow that Avraham Fishgrund, O.B.M., fell while on duty on 4 Iyar 1948…".
• Certificate, printed and handwritten on thick paper, attesting that Avraham's name has been "written in the Torah scroll commemorating the fallen in the War of Independence". Appearing at the bottom of the document, in handwriting, is the verse in which Avraham's name was commemorated: "And G-d said to Abraham, 'As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations'" [Genesis 17:9], with decorations above the letters of the name "Abraham". Issued on Memorial Day, 1954.
• Official documents, permits, a photocopied passport and other items.
Enclosed are two envelopes.
Avraham Fishgrund (1920-1948) was a member of the national-religious settlement group called the "Avraham Group", a fighter in the Palmah paramilitary force and commander of Kfar Eztion during the War of Independence. During the war his wife, Ruhama, was evacuated to Ratisbonne Monastery where she gave birth to their daughter, Ziona. After many months of battles and fatalities, on May 13, 1948, a decision was taken to surrender, with Avraham taking upon himself the task of leading the negotiations. As he approached the enemy, the latter opened fire and Avraham was killed instantly.
Size and condition vary. Good-fair overall condition. Stains, creases and folding marks. Small holes to margins of two items. Open tear to one of the letters.