SCHATZ, BORIS

Philadelphia and Baltimore

c. 1923

(Artist and founder of the Bezalel School of Art, 1867-1932). Four lengthy Autograph Letters (one signed) by Boris Schatz to Ze’ev Raban. All in Yiddish. Each on the letterhead of “The Philadelphia Exhibition Committee of the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts of Jerusalem.” * I. pp.4. Detailed instructions with sketches of a synagogue commission: stained glass window (vitrage), ornamental table, and suspended Ner Tamid [Eternal Light] lamp. * II. pp.4. “Our future lies in America.” Discusses plans for an annual illustrated journal as a way of boosting the membership of the Bezalel Society with many other administrative plans and proposals. * III. pp.4. “We must adapt ourselves to America.” Discusses success at propagating the cause of Jewish Art in America. Inroads made in Brooklyn and Cincinnati Museums. Also the successful distribution of Raban’s “Shir ha-Shirim.” * IV: pp.2. “My present travel in America will open a new era in the life and work of Bezalel.” Also remonstrates with Raban, whom he has left as second-in-command in Jerusalem, to have faith in him and his selfless devotion to the case of Bezalel. Also discusses design of Passover bowl lettered “Chad Gadya” to be given as gift to members of the Bezalel Society

Four highly significant letters written by the Founding-Director of the Bezalel School of Art, to his co-visionary, the talented Zev Raban, wherein, Schatz details his determination to see that the future of Jewish Art - and thus Bezalel, lies with the Jews of America