Sneersohn, Hayim Zvi. Palestine and Roumania: A Description of the Holy Land, and the Past and Present State of Roumania, and the Roumanian Jews.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

Hebrew Orphan Asylum Printing Establishment

New York

1872

English with a smattering of Hebrew. Frontispiece portrait of the Author.

Singerman 2362; Rubens 2277

A fourth-generation descendant of the founder of Chabad Chassidism, R. Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Hayim Zvi Sneersohn of Jerusalem undertook far-reaching fund-raising missions to both the Near and Far East on behalf of Colel Chabad and others. The present volume records a selection of letters and articles on the Jewish presence in Eretz Israel, “delivered by the Author during his sojourn in the United States, before intelligent and appreciative audiences in different large cities of this glorious Union.” Also highlighted are Sneersohn’s efforts to focus the attention of America upon the tribulations suffered by the Jews of Rumania. “My faith in the liberality of this blessed land [i.e., America], and above all in the mercy of the Lord my God, was not shaken. I knew that the Government of this country would not be deaf to any cry for help in the cause of humanity and justice.” Indeed Sneersohn’s efforts resulted in an audience with President Ulysses Grant who subsequently appointed Benjamin P. Peixotto as Consul to Rumania to effect relief for the suffering Jews. The book also details journeys undertaken by Sneersohn to Egypt, Persia, India and Australia, as well as an attempted mission to China. Among several approbations at the beginning of the work, included is a surprising invitation from Brigham Young, affording Sneersohn the opportunity to address the Mormon Congregation in Salt Lake City, Utah. See I. Klausner, Rabbi Chaim Zvi Schneerson (1943); and Yaari, Sheluchei Eretz Yisrael, pp. 816-19.