VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

Kollel.PC.money for EY

Donations for Eretz Yisrael

During the High Holiday season, it is traditional to donate to charity. Among the five causes on these plates is the leftmost one, marked 'Land of Israel'. That is, support for the needy there. Other causes were: cantor, brides, shelters, schooling. "in the merit of the charity I'm giving, G-d, inscribe us in the Book of Life".

Eretz Yisroel

'Land of Israel'.

Vaad Hasefaradim.1896

The 'Council of Sepharadim' was the original organization of Sephardic Jews in E.Y. dating back in some form to Medieval times. They were recognized in the 1840s by the Ottoman Empire as the official representative of the Jewish community. This receipt for 1000 gold francs is dated 1896. It is signed by 6 rabbis and council president Hayyim Valero.

Kollel.Vaad Hasefaradim.1896

This donation was actually a bequest from British Sephardic philanthropist Moshe Hacohen Hadad. It included payment for burial expenses and Torah learning on his behalf. Rabbis Y.S. Elyashar, Shlomo Suzein, Y.N. Burla, M. Yisrael, M. Navon, H.N. Baruh. Signatures in Sephardic solitreo script with elaborate seals.

Beit El.Shador

Kabbalistic Yeshiva Beit El was founded in 1737. They called themselves 'Hassidim' but not in the Ashkenazic sense of the word. In fact this is a Sephardic Yeshiva that continues to this day. Their leaders have been a Who's Who list of great Sephardic rabbinic leaders.

Kollel Bei EL

This document identifies the yeshiva as 'Kollelot Hassidim'. It is addressed to the community of Fez, North Africa and thanks them for past support for their emmissary R' Ovadya Shaki. Now it is introducing their new emissary ('shador') R' David Shetrit and hoping for continued support. Signatories include Rabbis Shmuel Azrian, Shalom hadaya, Naftali Baruh, Yeshua Ben Shoshan, Avraham Azriel. Undated but from the 1920s.

Adat Sepharadim.Meir.Shador

R' Yaakov Meir (1856-1939) born in Jerusalem to Salonican parents, became active in communal affairs. A Shador to several countries. He joined the Council of Sepharadim and was eventually chosen as first Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. On his letterhead, ca. 1920, he introduces Shlomo Ohana as Shador for the Sephardic community which is undertaking to provide Passover supplies for 13,000 souls. Cosigned by Yosef ? and David Abulafia. Not addressed to a specific community.

Moroccan.receipt.grave

Jews of Morocco and North Africa split from the Sephardic Va'ad in 1856 and established their own 'Kollel'. They are also known as 'Mograbim' ('westerners'). This receipt for 20 francs acknowledges purchase of a grave on Har Hazeitim. Ca. 1915. Pre-printed seals of the Kollel and its leaders.

Moroccan.1894.

This formal handwritten document acknowledges past support for the Mograbim community and the Yeshiva - Beit El - in which Sepharadim studied Kabbalah. Dated 1894 signed and sealed by 4 leaders: Rabbis Moshe Malca, Mis'od ElHaddad, Shlomo Malca, Shalom Abushadid.

Moroccan.1875.Shador.Malka

Moroccan born R' Moshe Malka, an outstanding Torah scholar, served as 'Shador' (emissary) for the Moroccan community. He travelled to Europe and Turkey on their behalf. In 1874 he visited Western European countries and wrote this letter (in Solitreo) to R' Shalom Gegin, describing his experiences. Later he was appointed Rav of the Jerusalem community. Written in Frankfurt A.M. in 1875.

Morrocan.Betito Shador.

R' Nahman Betito (1845-1915) was a Moroccan scholar and community leader. He led the Moroccan community starting 1900. Here he endorses the Shador Yeshua Perez who is gathering funds to secure the community graveyard. Addressed to one Yeshua Karkos, a wealthy and highly respected Jew who was finance minister to the Sultan. Signed by Rabbis Betito, Hazan, Almaliah and Buchbut.

Moroccan.receipt.1939

Receipt issued by the Committee of the Moroccan Community in Jerusalem, in 1939. 100 Francs, from Yosef Bechush of Algeria through Chief Rabbi Benzion Uziel and president David Abulafia. 'To benefit the 2500 souls of the Mugrabi community of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Tripolis, and Egypt.'

Taimanim.receipt

This voucher for 60 Grush was issued by the Council of the Kollel of the Yemenite Community. Sa'id Kohen is the administrator, Avraham Zaid the recipient. In 1907 they too split from the Sephardic council and became an independent Kollel.

Pekidim v'Amarkelim

A council in Istanbul had been organizing donations in Sephardic countries. Similarly, The Pekidim v'Amarkilim of Amsterdam was established in1809 to do the same for European donations to Ashkenazim. The 'Officers and Administrators' operated until World War I. This censored letter was sent to them from Palestine in 1919.

Kollel Vohlyn protest

Vohhlyn was an area in the Ukraine. They began supporting Hassidic Jews who settled in Israel at the end of the 1700s. Led by the Ruzhin/Boyan Rebbes, it became the dominant Hassidic Kollel. Batei Horenstain were apartments in the New City for needy Torah scholars. Apparantly there was a plan to rent them to non-kollel members. This letter, signed by 42 kollel members, protests this plan. Dated 1934.

Vohlyn Chabad

Shaul Chertkov donated 5 rubles to the 'School for Children' in the spring of 1913. According to this receipt the school is supported by the combined Kollelim of Vohlyn and Chabad. Chabad families came to Jerusalem in 1847 and gradually developed their institutions there. Eventually the Chabad community in Hevron joined them.

Perushim

The 'Perushim' (seperatists) were pious students of the Vilna Gaon. They began to arrive in 1808. First settling in Safed, they moved to Tiberias and subsequently Jerusalem. This envelope was mailed from Jerusalem to Germany 19 August 1901. It is from the Chevra Kadish - the Burial Society.

Vilna Zamut voucher

The Lithuanian communities of Vilna and Zamut had a combined Kollel. This voucher from them was issued in the fall of 1914 for 218 coins, to be redeemed by Kislev of 2015.

Vilna Lita Zamut etc. 1936

The Lithuanian Kollel expanded. This receipt dated 1938 bears the stamp of 'Kollel Perushim' including Vilna, Zamut, Kurland and Lifland. the letterhead, from Jerusalem is from that institution.

Fund allotment Vilna Lita etc.

This attached memo lists the funds allotment for the Vilna Kollel: 10 (Palestine) pounds for te Yeshiva Etz Chaim, 7.5 pounds for Bikur Cholim, 18 for the Va'ad Haklali, and 12 for the Kollel Vilna. All received from te 'Africa Fund'.

Warsaw voucher 1914

Kollel Warsaw seperated from the Perushim in 1845 and formed their own Kollel. This voucher from them of 3 Francs for medical needs was dated Sivan 1914. Issued to Dovid Kluger of Warsaw.

Warsaw.voucher 100 grush.10 Kislev 1914.

This more elaborate certificate is a general voucher for 100 'Grush' from the Warsaw Kollel. dated 10 Kislev 1914. These vouchers circulated as currency and essentially promised to pay the stated sum when charity funds would arrive from abroad. This one rubberstamped by 3 officials and the seal of the kollel. A notation on the back states that 10 Grush were actually collected.

Warsaw Polin.gabbai record

Kollel Warsaw-Polin had history back to 1796. It also operated under the name 'Kupat R' Meir Ba'al Hanes'. This document from 1933 is a gabbai's record of donors from the Polish town of Przedborg. A total of 45 marks (?) is recorded by donors' first name, mother's name and family name.

Gabbai record.b

The back with additional donors.

Warsaw, Kalisch, Pietrekov etc. 1929

Donation receipt for 5 (zloty ?) dated 5 Tevet 1929. The charity is designated as Rabbi Meir Ba'al Hanes. It is earmarked for those from the Polish cities: Warsaw, Kalisch, Petrekov, Lublin, Radom, Kelz, Shedletz, and Plotzk. They may be living in the 4 Holy Cities.

Warsaw, Kalisch, Pietrekov Lublin etc.b Yiddish

The back of the receipt is all in Yiddish. First, a prayer in Yiddish to be said when lighting Shabbat candles: "...In the merit of my donations to the needy of the Holy Land may my family be blessed...". Prayers will be said in all the holy places on behalf of donors....Be careful not to send your funds to any other address...".

Kollel Warsaw Psak din

There was a dispute regarding promissory notes issued by the Warsaw Kollel. This poster dated 1903 records the court (Beit Din) decision in favor of the lenders holding the notes. Signature stamps of R' Shmuel Salant, R' Yakov Shaul Elyashar and R' Chaim Medini all validate the decision.

Kollel Warsaw Psak Din

This is te text of the court's decision.

Kollel Warsaw Member Roster

Dated 1927, this poster shows a roster of 300 adult male members of the Warsaw Kollel. They are entitled to vote on Kollel matters, and to bring up issues of concern to the membership. Age 20 and up, they are listed alphabetically by first names.

Vaad Klali.Salant.cover.1906

In 1869 the many Ashkenazic Kollelim were organized under an umbrella organization - Vaad Klali (General Council) Knesset Yisrael (Jewish Community). It coordinated interactions, relationship with the Ottoman authorities, health, welfare, and education. They were eventually instrumental in establishing 2 dozen communities in the New City. This envelope was mailed from the Old City to Pennsylvania in 1906.

Central Committee. Seattle.1911-17

Mailed 1914 from the Old City Jerusalem to a Rabbi in Seattle Washington. Entirely in English and intended to solicit funds from the American Jewish community.

Central Com. 5669 report.a

Dated Shevat 1909, this form letter makes a plea for donations from European supporters. It is entirely in German. "Appeal !. The general distress of the poor in the Holy Land has increased greatly due to the continuing rise in the price of all foodstuffs, and the misery is pitiful...".

Central Com. 5669 report.b

Inside we read a brief plea from the Rabbinic administrator R' Shmuel Salant. Then comes an enumeration of fund distribution. This form letter fit neatly into the envelopes mailed abroad. "Report on the activities of the Central Committee for the consolidation of settlement in the Holy Land in general and for the benefit of its poor Jewish inhabitants during the last two years - from the beginning of the year 5667 to the end of 5668."

Central Com.from NY.1939

This is a typical pre-printed reply envelope facilitating donations from America. 1939.

Central Committee.receipts

3 vouchers/receipts for fund distribution from the Central Committee to members.Dated 1916, 1903, 1901. The one dated 1901 from administrator Shubatzki is for 4 gold Napoleans, for 2 weeks, listed by the Torah portions read in those weeks: Shoftim & Ki Teitzei.

Central Com.Matzah .1917

In 1917 the Central Committee issued these vouchers for Passover supplies. This one is for 1/4 Rotel of Matzah. That equalled about 2/3 of a pound. It must be redeemed at the store of Brothers Simanovitz on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem. It is invalid anywhere else.

Voucher.Medecine

This voucher from the Central Committee is for medication. It specifies its value of 1 1/4 Grush for needed medication. That denomination was widely used for 1/100 of the Ottoman Lira and whatever unit circulated by the governing authority.

Kollel.America.receipt.1911

Many donations came to the Va'ad Haklali from America. The Hareidi Americans in the Old City felt they were not getting a fair share. In 1897 they founded their own Kollel - Kollel America. Seperate from the Va'ad Klali, it created friction and ill will between the two. After much acrimony, an agreement was reached in 1900. Members of the new Kollel sat on the council. They signed this receipt in 1911 acknowledging receipt of 182 Turkish Lira for distribution among their Kollel members.

Kollel.America.labels

These American labels, in Yiddish and English, acknowledge small donations to Kollel America. Their Rabbinic leader, Rav Y.L Diskin is pictured on the 10 cent label. The 25 cent one pictures scholars at study. The Yiddish says 'Help the Torah scholars in Israel. Rabbis pray to G-d for you'.

Kollel.America.ad

Kollel America is alive and well, and advertises regularly for donations.

Austria Galizia.to Germany

Kollel Austria-Galizia broke from the Perushim in 1858. They served the Hungarian community in E.Y. This envelope sent to Hanover Germany bears an Ottoman stamp and both Turkish and Hungarian censor marks, used in World War I. No doubt it contained a request for donations to their Kollel. 1222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222

Galizia.Cash voucher.1914

Kollel Galitzia was founded in 1853. It was primarily Chassidic. Sometimes called Kollel Chibat Yerushalayim. Also called Austria-Galitzia as the seal indicates. Galitzia was a region in Eastern Poland/Western Ukraine, ruled by various powers but here under the Austrian empire. This is a cash voucher for funds from the Kollel - 3 gold Napoleans. Dated 1914.

Cash voucher.redeemed

The back of the voucher records several installments paid to the holder from 1915 to 1919. Finally it was stamped 'Nifra' - Paid. It is also stamped as having been submitted to a Jewish court for adjudication.

Kollel.HOD

Kollel Hod ('Jewish Society of Holland and Deutschland') was founded in the 1830s to support Jews who had emigrated from the Netherlands and Germany. This postcard receipt states "Monthly Card. By paying 8 Marks, you are feeding 1 needy person in the Holy Land for 1 month".

Hungarian Kollel.Cash voucher

The Hungarian Kollel split from Galitzia/Chibat Yerushalayim in ca. 1860, specifically to serve the Hungarian community. This is a cash voucher representing a Chalukah distribution of 60 Grush, dated 1913. The recipient is Kollel member Yechiel Mayer. This numbered and stamped voucher served as a form of currency, especially during wartime. It is stamped with the Kollel seal and also stamped 'Paid'. The back shows periodic collection installments.

Hungary.receipt.1912

A receipt for a 30 Franc distribution from the Hungarian Kollel for apartment rent. Dated 19 Cheshvan 1912. Stamped גבח meaning payment of debt.

Kollel.Shomrei Chomot.donation acknowledgement.combined

The formal name of the Hungarian Kollel was 'Kollel Shomrei Hachomot' - Guardians of the Walls. This letter acknowledges a donation of 188 'Forint', dated 1872.

Kollel.Shomrei Chomot.donation acknowledgement.text

'The funds were immediately distributed to the members of our Kollel in Jerusalem, Tzefat, and Tveriya... And we pray that you will continue to remember the needy of E.Y....and donate only to those authorized by us...May you and yours be blessed ...'. We are te administrators of the Kolle Hungary, Mehren,Bohemia, Austria.

Kollel.Shomrei Chomot.donation acknowledgement.address

The letter was simply folded, stamped, and mailed. Addressed to the Honorable Mr. Ignatz Schwarz in Pesth. Pest was a major city in Hungary, which a year later (1873) joined with Buda to become Budapest.

Shomreu Chomot.PC.acknowledgement

A form postcard, unsused, acknowledging donations and promising specific receipts. Jewish date 5690 = 1930. All in Yiddish. Sender identified as the united charities of 'Czekoslovakia, Austria, Hungary Shomre Hachomot community'. Also mentioning receipts for KKL (JNF).

Shaarei Chesed.bread

NOT the Va'ad Haklali. A coupon for a loaf of bread. Issued by 'Chevrat Sha'arei Chesed Gemilut Chasadim Haklali. Founded by R' Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld in 1870. A free loan and welfare society. They also founded the Sha'arei Chesed neigborhood for needy families.

Shaarei Chesed.Donation Cover.Vindava

Mailed in November 1902 from Vindava, part of western Russia at the time, to the shaarei Chesed council in Jerusalem. It was sent Registered and likely contained a donation to that Kollel.

Austria, Hungary, Mahren, Bohemia.cover.1915

Envelope mailed to Hungary/Romania in 1915 showing censorship. Kollel is identifying as Austria, Hungary, Mahren, Bohemia, all part of the Hungarian Kollel also known as 'Shomrei Hachomot'. Probably held a form letter asking for or acknowledging a donation.

Check.Austria Hungary B M.1915

Check for 92 Kronen (Crowns) payable to Victor Schwarzstein in 1915. From the Austria/Hungary/Bohem-ia/Mahren kollel. Interestingly, it appears to be drawn on the Baron S.M. Rothschild bank in Vienna. With 3 signatures and an Ottoman tax stamp.

'Our Kollel'.voucher.SB Zonnenfeld

This voucher for 600 Grush is addressed to 'The Rabbis Administrators of Our Kollel'. Signed by R' Sonnenfeld's son Shmuel Binyamin, presumed to be from the Hungarian Kollel. Interestingly, though dated 1914, the payment is scheduled for 1916.

Zibenbergen.1913.face

Zibenbergen & Siladi (also pronounced Silagi) were towns in Transylvania - in Romania but part of the Hungarian Empire. They had split from K. Galizia in 1875. This voucher is dated Kislev 1913, to be paid within the year. The amount is 250 Grush. However the rubber stamp refers us to the attached note which records an agreement for a lesser amount !

Zibenbergen.1913.back

This attached note records modifications. Above, a handwritten note states that 10% (25 grush) was received. More signicicantly, a compromise was reached reducing the amount from 250 to 210.27. In Egyptian coin that equalled 148, and 10% of THAT was paid in 1923 !!!. Two more payments were made up until 1930 ! As always, redemption of these vouchers was contingent on funds arriving from abroad. All complicated by World War One.

Romania.voucher.1938

Kollel Romania was formed from the fragmented Kollel Vohlyn. Immigrants from Besarabia and Moldova, areas associated with Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and the Austrian Empire united for this ZKollel. This voucher for 250 (Mandate) Mils was granted to Yitzchak Tzvi Lifshitz and a family of 5. Dated 1937.

Bukovina.1929

Bukovina was another district in the Austrian Empire associated with Romania and the Ukraine. It is yet another Chassidic breakaway from Kollel Galitzia. Dated 1929, this voucher is for 19 (Mandate) grush to Sholom Vigler. Someone signed that they received the funds.

Munkatch.voucher

Munkach is a region in Czekoslovakia/Hungary/ Ukraine. This Chassidic Kollel was established at the end of the 1800s to support its adherents. This unsused voucher would entitle the holder to a distribution from the Kollel's chalukah. Attached is a like-numbered receipt that would remain in the booklet when the voucher was handed over.