Silver Tray – Belonged to the Rebbe Rayatz – Used at Farbrengens During His Visit to the USA in 1930

Silver Tray – Belonged to the Rebbe Rayatz – Used at Farbrengens During His Visit to the USA in 1930

Silver tray used by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, during his visit to the USA in 1930.

Sterling silver, with maker's mark: Frank M. Whiting & Company, North Attleboro, Massachusetts USA, ca. 1920's. Ornamented rim.

Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Rebbetzin Chana Gurary (1899-1991), eldest daughter of Rebbe Rayatz: "I hereby gift... the 10 inch sterling silver tray which my father used to hold cake for fabrengens during his trip to the United States in 1929-1930. It was made by Frank M. Whiting & Company. My father gave it to me upon his return to Europe". Dated - December 3, 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 the SS Bremen. After spending several weeks in the Marienbad health spa, the Rayatz returned in the middle of Elul 1930 to his home in Riga.

25.5 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes.