Bidspirit auction | A Historical Chassidic Document of

A Historical Chassidic Document of Exceptional Importance — The Struggle to Save the Entire Amshinov Dynasty During the Holocaust - An important and moving historical-Chassidic letter, a rare Holocaust-era document that records in real time the intensive efforts undertaken to rescue the entire Amshinov dynasty during the darkest days of the destruction of European Jewry. The letter was written by Rabbi Yechezkel Yosef Mishkovsky, Av Beis Din of Krinik and one of the leading figures of the Vaad Ha-Hatzalah (Rescue Committee) in Jerusalem, and was addressed to the Amshinov Chassidim in Eretz Israel. Jerusalem, the day after Yom Kippur, 5702 [1941]. The letter concerns attempts to secure the rescue of the Rebbe of Amshinov, Rabbi Shimon Shalom Kalish of Amshinov, his son Rabbi Meir Kalish of Amshinov, and his nephew Rabbi Yitzchak Kalish—later the Amshinov Rebbe in the United States—together with their families. At that time, Rabbi Meir’s daughter, Rebbetzin Chaya Nechama, was also with them. While in Japan she married the outstanding Mir Yeshivah scholar Rabbi Chaim Milikowsky. From this union was born the present Amshinov Rebbe, the current heir to the dynasty. “The Rebbe’s request on behalf of himself and his son... We have submitted a request to the government to transfer certificates for the Rebbe, his son, and a third individual...” Before us is a rare document revealing the behind-the-scenes efforts of one of the most significant rescue operations involving leading Torah personalities during the Holocaust. It details the attempts to obtain immigration certificates to Eretz Israel for the entire Amshinov dynasty while the Rebbes were in Japan together with the refugee yeshivah students who had escaped occupied Europe. The letter demonstrates that numerous channels—both official and unofficial—were activated in order to secure the rescue of the Rebbes, including efforts conducted with the British Mandatory authorities. “The government sent a telegram to its representative in Japan on the eve of Yom Kippur...” Rabbi Mishkovsky emphasizes that these rescue efforts involved considerable expense and appeals to the Amshinov Chassidim in Eretz Israel to help finance the operation. He explicitly notes that funds may be sent either to himself or to Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Levin, son-in-law of the Imrei Emes of Gur and one of the leaders of Agudath Israel in Eretz Israel. Further in the letter he writes: “We wish to send a third certificate for R. Yitzchak, the Rebbe’s nephew” [later the Amshinov Rebbe in the United States]. Toward the conclusion of the letter appears an emotional—and characteristically urgent—appeal to the Amshinov Chassidim: “The main thing I desire is that the Amshinov Chassidim send a telegram to the Rebbe urging him to hasten...” [1] leaf. 27 cm. Official letterhead. Entirely autograph and signed by Rabbi Yechezkel Yosef Mishkovsky, Av Beis Din of Krinik. Condition: Good. Age stains. Fold marks. Biography Rabbi Shimon Shalom Kalish of Amshinov (1882–1954), one of the foremost Polish Rebbes of his generation. During the Holocaust he escaped miraculously together with members of his family and yeshivah refugees via Lithuania and Japan. After the war he settled in Eretz Israel and reestablished the Amshinov dynasty in Jerusalem. Rabbi Meir Kalish of Amshinov (1901–1976), son and successor of Rabbi Shimon Shalom. He was among the survivors of the famous escape to Japan and later became one of the leading figures in the revival of Chassidic life in Eretz Israel. Accompanying him was his daughter, Rebbetzin Chaya Nechama, who married the outstanding Mir Yeshivah scholar Rabbi Chaim Milikowsky while in Japan. Their son is the present Amshinov Rebbe. Rabbi Yitzchak Kalish of Amshinov (1906–1993),  He survived the remarkable wartime escape through Lithuania, Japan, and Shanghai. After the war he settled in the United States and led the Amshinov court in Williamsburg, New York. He continued the distinctive Amshinov tradition of humility, love of fellow Jews, and profound devotion to the service of God. Rabbi Yechezkel Yosef Mishkovsky, Av Beis Din of Krinik, was among the leading rabbis of Poland and one of the principal activists of the Vaad Ha-Hatzalah in Jerusalem during the Holocaust. He played a central role in obtaining immigration certificates, visas, and travel permits for refugees, rabbis, and yeshivah students fleeing Europe. Before us is an exceptionally important historical-Chassidic document, recording a central chapter in the story of the rescue of the entire Amshinov dynasty during the Holocaust.