Crystal Jar Owned by Rebbe Rayatz

Crystal Jar Owned by Rebbe Rayatz

Crystal jar owned by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch.
Cut crystal; sterling silver lid, marked (Stone Sterling Silver Co.), New York, ca. 1896-1904.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chanah Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift... the cut crystal jar with sterling silver top that my father bought and used during his trip to the United States in 1929. He used it for oil to add to his food. He gave it to me when he returned to Europe". Dated – 12 November 1989.

The visit of Rebbe Rayatz to the United States

Some two years after his release from the Soviet prison and settling in Riga, Rebbe Rayatz made a trip to the United States. The purpose of the visit, which lasted for close to a year (Elul 1929-Tammuz 1930), was to raise awareness of the plight of Soviet Jews and to encourage and strengthen American Jewry.
Wherever he went, the Rayatz campaigned to strengthen and fortify Torah observance, and propagandized for Shabbat observance, laying tefillin and establishing Torah classes. He founded Agudas Chassidei Chabad and women's societies to promote Taharat HaMishpacha. On Shabbat, he would hold gatherings and deliver Chassidic teachings, and on weekdays, he would convene various meetings and receive people in private audiences. Towards the end of the trip, the Rayatz met with Herbert Hoover, president of the United States, in the White House (on 14th Tammuz). During their meeting, the Rayatz thanked the president for the freedom of religion given to American Jewry and for the help his government provides to Jews throughout the world.
The Rayatz ended his visit on Thursday, 21st Tammuz 1930. He set sail from the port of New York on SS Bremen and reached Berlin on 27th Tammuz. After spending several weeks in the Marienbad health spa, the Rayatz returned in the middle of Elul 1930 to his home in Riga. According to the enclosed letter, Rebbe Rayatz bought the present Jar during his visit to the United States in 1930.

Base diameter: ca. 7 cm. Height: ca. 10cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes.