Notebook - "Dorshei Zion" Society - Liverpool, late 19th and early 20th Centuries

Notebook - "Dorshei Zion" Society - Liverpool, late 19th and early 20th Centuries
Notebook with orderly, handwritten entries, recording the operation of the Zionist society "Dorshei Zion" in Liverpool (England), in the years 1894-1901 [one entry is dated April 1855]. Yiddish and some English, French and Hebrew.
The notebook includes dozens of protocols of meetings held regularly by the society, information about its activities, detailed records of incomes and expenses, various regulations, lists of members, copies of letters, and more. Most of the entries are dated (not in a chronological order).
The notebook includes a copy of a letter from Hillel Halpern (society's secretary) to Rabbi Shmuel Mohilever, one of the founders of "Hibat Zion" movement. The letter concerns the founding of "Dorshei Zion": "The idea of 'settlement of Eretz Israel' started to spread among our brothers, citizens of Liverpool, and several months ago we founded a society by the name of 'Dorshei Zion'. The society's goal is to dream about Zion and kindle in the hearts of our brothers, love for our holy land…and in particular among the young people in our city who unfortunately almost turned their backs to Judaism…" (Hebrew).
Zionist ideas started to spread in Liverpool towards the end of the 19th century influenced by Russian immigrants. In 1891 a branch of "Hovevei Zion" was founded in the city and acted to encourage settlement in Eretz Israel. At a later stage several additional societies were founded, all of which supported Herzl's Zionism. The notebook presented provides important evidence about one of the first Zionist societies in Liverpool in particular and in England in general.Approx. 200 written pages, 23 cm. Good condition. Stains and wear, tear on one leaf with damage to text. Several detached leaves.