APPEAL TO SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE SENT BY THE FOUNDING RESIDENTS OF THE ROSH PINAH AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENT, WITH ...

APPEAL TO SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE SENT BY THE FOUNDING RESIDENTS OF THE ROSH PINAH AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENT, WITH SUPPORTING LETTER BY RABBI SHMUEL HELLER OF TZEFAS. 1882.

The agricultural settlement of Rosh Pinah, near Tzefas, was founded by a group of 30 Romanian chassidim in 1882. Having purchased land from local Arabs they suffered great difficulties in the early years, due to local conditions as well as to a lack of cooperation by the Turkish authorities. In this letter, written shortly after the settlers arrived they appeal to Sir Moses Montefiore for financial aid. The letter is signed by Mordechai son of R. Eliezer Katz, Chanoch Henoch Berman, Yisrael Goldenberg, Shimon Kendler and others.

Rabbi Shmuel Heller, the highly revered Rabbi of Tzefas adds a few lines of support and blessings. 

Rabbi Shmuel Heller, born in Zlotchov, descendant of the Tosfos Yomtov, close adherent of the Chernobil chassidic dynasty. He arrived in Tzfas with his parents, gradually becoming close to the community leadership, particularly after the passing of his Rebbe, Rabbi Avraham Dov of Avrutch – the Bas Ayin, in 1840. A highly respected rabbinical leader of the chassidic community deeply involved in its contacts with Eastern Europe, with the local Sephardic community and its rabbis, with the Ottoman authorities and with the local Arab population.

1 side. 23.5 x 38 cm. Good condition.