Collection of [16] personal letters sent by Sir Moses Montefiore to Michael Henry, one of the leaders of the London community and editor of the Jewish Chronicle; fascinating letters from which can learn much about Moses Montefiore’s public activity and his status among the Jews. There is a lot of reference to the Jewish Chronicle, as the addressee was the editor of the newspaper at that time. Montefiore writes much about the importance of Jewish education. Montefiore writes about charity, both for Jewish education and for the poor of the Land of Israel. Letter no. 14 indicates the extent of Montefiore’s public activity. In the letter from July 30, 1873, Montefiore writes about a lecture he gave on behalf of British Jewry in honor of visiting Persian Shah, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. In his letter, Montefiore protests the way the events were reported by the Jewish Chronicle, as if the meeting was a personal one rather than an official one on behalf of the Board of Deputies. This letter is especially intriguing, since we know that when the Persian Shah met with Montefiore, among the issues brought up in the meeting was a suggestion that Montefiore buy land in Persia and settle Jews there within an autonomous framework under the Shah’s protection. It is well known that this program was not executed; yet, this letter is an indication of the relationship between Montefiore and the Shah. The letters also demonstrate Montefiore’s sensitivity, since he apologizes for his health not permitting him to attend events or write his letters by himself (Montefiore was in his mid-nineties when the letters were sent). 13 of them are signed in his hand, 1 letter is entirely handwritten by him, and 2 were written by his family member Alice Montefiore (apparently, his niece Alice, granddaughter of Avraham, Montefiore’s brother). Following is a description of the letters: 1) August 9, 1869, hand-signed by him. Written to express appreciation for a letter of condolence he received from him when his sister (Rebekah Solomons) passed away. He apologizes for not being able to write letters by himself anymore. At the end, he invites him to visit him in Ramsgate. 2) February 21, 1870, hand-signed by him. Montefiore writes to invite him with Mr. Samuel next Friday; he did not want to bother him since the place was covered in snow. But given that he has confirmed his visit, he is looking forward to it. He apologizes for his scribe writing the letter for him. With a wax seal of the Montefiore’s coat of arms, a lion holding a “Jerusalem” flag. 3) February 23, 1870, hand-signed by him. Montefiore writes that he is sending him the translation of the precious letter by the gabbaim of the Jerusalem communities to be printed in his newspaper. He apologizes for not being able to travel himself to London to take care of the matter because of his health. He invites him to visit on Sabbath. With a wax seal of Montefiore’s coat of arms, a lion holding a “Jerusalem” flag. 4) March 3, 1870, hand-signed by him. Expressing appreciation for a check for 1.1.0 pounds for the poor of Jerusalem. 5) April 1, 1870, hand-signed by him. Expressing appreciation for a check for 1.8.0 pounds by the “Boroagh Jewish Schools” for the welfare of the poor of Jerusalem and promises to transfer it to them. 6) April 26, 1870, hand-signed by him. Expressing appreciation to the children of the “Stepney Jewish School” for their donation of 1.3.0 pounds for the poor of Jerusalem. Notes the educational importance of charity to the education of Jewish children and blesses them that they enjoy themselves during the trip arranged for them by Mr. Berl Cohen. He adds an apology for publishing the donations the organization had received in the Jewish Chronicle and notes that he will insist on paying its full price. He also apologizes for omitting his name by mistake in the list of donors. In addition, there is an apology handwritten by Montefiore for corresponding by scribe. 7) November 9, 1870, this entire letter was handwritten by him. Montefiore asks him to accompany him on a short trip and bring him a little food. 8) September 26, 1872, hand-signed by him. Apologizes for his inability to attend the opening ceremony of the “Stepney Jewish School” because of the state of his health. Montefiore declares that the issue of religion is close to his heart, especially the matter of children’s education. It would have been a great pleasure for him if he could have attended the event and been there with the Chief Rabbi. He requests that he apologize on his behalf for his absence. Signed from his sick bed. 9) October 10, 5633 (1872), hand-signed by him. Donates 10 pounds to the Sha’arei Mizrach school. Adds several articles from HaMaggid and HaMelitz for him to study. Wishes him an easy fast (for the upcoming Yom Kippur). 10) January 29, 1873, hand-signed by him. Expressing appreciation for his donation and apologizing for his absence from the sermon of Rabbi Marcus Adler (Chief Rabbi of Britain). He adds that he heard from Rabbi Chaim Gedalyah that the sermon was most successful. He updates him by writing that Rabbi Henry Cohen will deliver a sermon in Ramsgate on Sunday and asks him to come on Friday to spend the Sabbath with him. 11) October 4, 1873, hand-signed. Montefiore expresses appreciation for a donation. He notes that Sergeant Simon’s speech is not meant for the wider public due to its problematic content. However, since it also includes some good ideas about the association of Jews, he recommends handing out some 40 or 50 copies he has printed of it. Supplement: protest against the misunderstanding caused by an article in the Jewish Chronicle about his contribution to the education of Jewish children in order to help them study English. The article implied that the donation was for helping them learn French, when in fact this was not true. 12) June 8, 1873, hand-signed. Montefiore thanks him for agreeing to accept the booklet with Sergeant Simon’s speeches and hand them out to his associates. He suggests that he agree to dedicate them to the children whom they are addressed to. 13) April 20, 1873, hand-signed by him. Montefiore apologizes for his absence from the conference of the Board of Deputies of Britain due to his bad health and wishes them luck. Sends regards from Eduard Samuel. 14) July 30, 1873, hand-signed by him. Lengthy letter (4 pages) about a lecture he gave on behalf of the Jews of Britain in honor of the visiting Persian Shah (king), Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. In his letter, Montefiore protests the way events were reported by the Jewish Chronicle, as if the meeting was a personal one rather than an official one on behalf of the Board of Deputies. This letter is especially intriguing since we know that the Persian Shah met with Montefiore, when among the issues brought up in the meeting was a suggestion that Montefiore buy lands in Persia and settle Jews there within an autonomous framework under the Shah’s protection. It is well known that this program was not executed; yet, this letter is indication of the relationship between Montefiore and the Shah. 15) Letter written by Alice Montefiore on his behalf (apparently, she is his niece, the granddaughter of his brother, Avraham). The letter deals with the “Stepney Jewish School.” Michael Henry (1830-1875) was a Jewish-British journalist, serving as the editor of the Jewish Chronicle from 1860 until his passing in 1875. He was a patent agent by profession. He was very active in public issues, and inter alia, was a member of the Board of Deputies of Britain as well as a member of many charities. He was also active in all that was related to Jewish education in the Stepney neighborhood, as indicated by these letters. (The Stepney neighborhood of London was populated by many Jews in the 19th century, most of them poor immigrants.) [16] letters, bound together with a deluxe binding with a gilt impression on the spine “Sir Moses H. Montefiore.” Fine-very fine overall condition. Fold marks in many of the letters. Pay Attention! On this lot VAT Should be Added to the Commission For Foreign Residents As Well.
