Small Coin Purse Used by Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneerson (Wife of the Rashab) – With Letter of Authenticity by ...

Small Coin Purse Used by Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneerson (Wife of the Rashab) – With Letter of Authenticity by Her Granddaughter Rebbetzin Chana Gurary

Small coin purse used by Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneerson (wife of Rebbe Rashab) after her arrival in the United States in Adar 1940, until her death on 13th Shevat 1942.
Small purse, made of metal, fabric and mother-of-pearl. With chain handle. Floral design and the inscription "Forget [me] not" on the front.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz and Granddaughter of Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah: "I hereby gift... the coin purse used by my grandmother Shterna Sarah from when she arrived to the United States until she passed away". The letter is dated September 17, 1989.

Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneersohn, wife of Rebbe Rashab and mother of Rebbe Rayatz. Born in 1860 to Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak of Ovruch, son of the Tzemach Tzedek. Her mother was the daughter of R. Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy, son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe. In 1865, she became engaged to the Rashab. The betrothal was celebrated in the home of the Tzemach Tzedek (the groom and bride were both five years old). The couple were wed ten years later, in 1875. She stood beside her husband and assisted him in all communal matters. She was very active in supporting the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva, and established an international women's organization in support of the students of the boys' schools of Lubavitch. In 1940, she escaped occupied Warsaw to the United States together with her only son Rebbe Rayatz. She passed away on 13th Shevat 1942, and was buried in New York. The Beit Sarah network of girls' schools was named after her.

Approx. 4X5.5 cm. Good condition. Minor damage. Chipping to mother-of-pearl.