Autograph Letter Signed by Moses Montefiore, 1873 – "The Accounts From Our Brethren in Persia Continue Most ...

Autograph Letter Signed by Moses Montefiore, 1873 – "The Accounts From Our Brethren in Persia Continue Most Distressing" / Letter to Montefiore from the Rabbis of Isfahan, 1880

Two letters bound together: letter from Moses Montefiore, mentioning the difficult situation of Persian Jewry, 1873 / letter to Montefiore from the rabbis of the Isfahan community, 1880.
1. Letter handwritten and signed by Moses Montefiore. East Cliff, England, 1873. English.
In this letter, which is addressed to "My dear Guedalla" – presumably the Zionist philanthropist Haim Guedalla (Montefiore's relative), Montefiore thanks him for the update on the improving state of health of Juliana Lucas, his niece. On the fourth page of the letter, Montefiore mentions the St. Petersburg report, presented by Montefiore to the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews in 1872. A short line on the second page of the letter alludes to Montefiore's efforts on behalf of Persian Jewry: "The accounts from our brethren in Persia continue most distressing".
[2] ff. (4 written pages). 18 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, creases and folding marks. Numbering in pencil and colored pencil on first page. Minor tears. Remnants of blue paper and ink on final page, from adjoining letter, affecting text. Strip of tape to inner margin of first page (covering beginning of each line of text).
2. Letter from the rabbis of Isfahan, addressed to Moses Montefiore, 1880. Hebrew.
Letter from the rabbis of Isfahan – R. Yehuda son of R. Yosef, R. Yeshaya son of R. Yosef, R. Avraham son of R. Yechezkel, R. Yosef Shalom son of R. Yehuda Melamed – addressed to Moses Montefiore; written by a scribe, with the stamps and signatures of the rabbis, and with the addition of several lines in their handwriting.
In their letter, the rabbis of Isfahan appeal to Montefiore to raise funds for their community, to enable them to subsist honorably and to allow them to continue teaching and studying Torah unrestrictedly.
[1] f. (1 written page; blue paper). Approx. 21 cm. Fair condition. Text on left side of leaf partially erased. Stains and creases. Minor marginal tears; open tear on left side of leaf, affecting text.
Both letters are bound together in fine leather binding (new).

Montefiore began working to alleviate the plight of the Persian communities already ca. 1840, using all the means at his disposal – direct donations and fundraising, diplomatic channels and by meeting with the Persian Shah himself, to assist the Jews who were suffering persecution from the authorities, pogroms and forced conversions. During the great Persian famine of 1871-1872, the rapid and effective aid arranged by Montefiore saved many Jews. In 1873, Montefiore met with the Shah, and procured his assurance to protect Persian Jewry.
For more information, see: Amnon Netzer, Montefiore and the Jews of Persia, in: Pe'amim, XX, Yad Ben Zvi, 1984. Pp. 55-68.