Bidspirit auction | An early and interesting letter

An early and interesting letter from the mother of Moshe Sharett to the Herzliya Gymnasium, requesting assistance with her son’s Arabic studies in Constantinople. Jaffa, 1913 - An interesting letter in handwriting and signature by the mother of Moshe Sharett (later Prime Minister of Israel), Fania (née Lev), to the administration of the Herzliya Gymnasium, requesting support for her son’s Arabic studies in Constantinople for the benefit of the Hebrew Yishuv in the Land of Israel. Jaffa, 15 Elul 5673 [1913]. In her letter, the mother explains that since her son is also a lawyer by profession, the Hebrew Yishuv in the Land of Israel will benefit from his studying the Arabic language in Constantinople; in this way she seeks to justify the support for his studies by the Gymnasium. The text of the letter: “To the Honorable Board of Directors of the Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium in Jaffa. Esteemed Gentlemen! My son Moshe has decided, with my consent, to study at the Higher School of Law in Constantinople and to perfect his knowledge of the Arabic language. As a Turkish-trained lawyer who also knows Arabic, he hopes to serve our settlement in the Land of Israel. Since my financial situation does not allow me to support him throughout the years of his studies, I turn to you with the request that you grant my son the assistance designated for young men studying in the country’s schools. With feelings of respect, P. Sharetok” Sharett immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1906 and completed his studies in the first graduating class of the Hebrew Gymnasium “Herzliya.” Upon their arrival in the country, the family lived in the Arab village of Ein Sinia in Samaria, where Sharett became acquainted with Arab culture from a young age. In 1913 he graduated from the Gymnasium with distinction and went to study at the Faculty of Law of Istanbul University, where David Ben-Gurion and Yitzhak Ben-Zvi were studying at that time. It was during this period that the present letter was written, shortly before his departure. In 1914, World War I interrupted his studies and he returned to the Land of Israel. He taught Turkish in schools in Tel Aviv and advocated for the adoption of Ottoman citizenship in order to prevent the deportation of Jews who were citizens of enemy countries from the Land of Israel. [1] lined leaf. Filing holes. Light stains. Good - very good condition.