(KOLLEL AMERICA CONTROVERSY).

New York

1901

Letter Signed, in Hebrew, written to the administrators of Kollel America and the Va’ad Hakelali under the auspices of R. Samuel Salant. Concerning resolution of dispute between the parties. Signed by R. Yaakov David Wilowsky (Ridvaz) of Slutzk, R. Dov Ber Abramowitz, R. Dov Ber Silverman, Kathriel Sarahson and others.

With the blessing of Rabbi Joshua Diskin, Kollel America was founded in 1897 as a means of support for the 500 Jews from the United States who had settled in Jerusalem. Subsequently, Jews back in America were called upon to assume financial responsibility for their countrymen residing in the Holy City. This engendered division with the administration of Jerusalem’s Vaad Haklali (Central Charity Committee) presided over by Rabbi Samuel Salant, which had until then been solely responsible for the collection and distribution of funds for the needy residents of Jerusalem. The concern being that funds for Jerusalem raised in America should remain directed for the benefit of all residents of the Holy City and not just for fellow-countrymen. This protracted disagreement was finally resolved by a rabbinic mediation between Kollel America and the Va’ad Kellali Kneseth Yisrael-Kupath Ramban (R. Meir Baal Haness) at a meeting chaired by the Ridvaz. The present letter sets out the concerns of Kollel America and the final resolution reached between all sides.