Bidspirit auction | Touching Letter from the “Refugee

Touching Letter from the “Refugee Rabbis” to Their Benefactors in Eretz Israel. [1940] - Letter of Gratitude from the Great Rabbis of Eretz Israel to the Directors of the “Union of Rabbis – Refugees from Russia and Other Lands, ” thanking them “for all the kindness you have shown us throughout the year.” [Eretz Israel], 26 Elul 5700 [1940]. The letter is signed by the eminent rabbis R. Yisrael Teuschig, Av Beit Din of Mattersdorf; R. Meir Chaim Ungar, Av Beit Din of Lackenbach; R. Mordechai Yaffe Schlesinger, Av Beit Din of Eisenstadt; and others—great rabbis of the Diaspora who were once honored leaders in their communities, yet arrived in Eretz Israel destitute and bereft of possessions. The “Union of Rabbis – Refugees from Russia and Other Lands” undertook to provide for these rabbis’ needs—housing, employment, and even a monthly stipend. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the rabbis felt it their duty to send this letter of thanks to their benefactors, expressing gratitude for the past and blessings for the New Year. [1] Paper leaf, c. 25 cm. Condition: Good. Fold marks. Filing holes. Biographical Notes on the Signatories: R. Mordechai Yaffe Schlesinger (1909–1998) – Rabbi of Eisenstadt, rabbi of the Chasam Sofer circle, Av Beit Din of Tel Aviv and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael. A disciple of R. Yehoshua Buxbaum in Galanta and R. Akiva Sofer in Pressburg, ordained by both. Immigrated to Eretz Israel in 1939, settling in the Batei Ungarin neighborhood of Jerusalem. Taught at Etz Chaim Yeshiva, and was close to R. Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky. R. Meir Chaim Ungar (1905–1958) – Av Beit Din of Lackenbach. Born in Szehlin to R. Yaakov. Son-in-law of R. Yehuda Hakohen Krausz, Av Beit Din of Lackenbach, whose position he filled from 1934. Immigrated to Jerusalem, where he authored Me’or Chaim and Me’or HaTorah. His son-in-law was the renowned R. Natan Gestetner. R. Yisrael Teuschig (1889–1968) – Known as the “Beit Yisrael of Mattersdorf.” Av Beit Din of Mattersdorf, rabbi of Me’ah She’arim and Batei Ungarin. Born in Papa, grandson of R. Yosef Pressburger, Av Beit Din of Mattersdorf and author of Tiferet Yosef. After the Anschluss, he immigrated with his community to Eretz Israel and settled in Batei Ungarin, Jerusalem, where he served for many years as rabbi of the neighborhood and dayan of the Edah HaChareidis.