(Spiritual leader of Lithuanian Jewry, 1863-1940). Autograph Letter Signed, written in Hebrew on letterhead, to Rabbi Eliezer Silver.

GRODZENSKI, CHAIM OZER.

First day of Selichoth

Vilna

1932

Concerning support for various Yeshivoth and other communal institutions, with an account of their importance.

Cincinnati’s Rabbi Eliezer Silver is here urged to assist in seeking financial support for the famed Baranovitch Yeshiva headed by R. Chaim Ozer’s brother-in-law, R. Elchanan Wasserman. Also discussed in the present letter is the Diskin Orphan Home of Jerusalem and the Ramailes Yeshiva of Vilna directed by R. Shlomo Heiman. Since the Ramailes Yeshiva was located in R. Chaim Ozer’s hometown, the rabbi felt particular responsibility for its success, dispatching to America R. Yeshayah Bakst as his personal emissary, here requesting that R. Silver do whatever he can to assist R. Bakst. “I know well the economic stress American Jews are under (due to the Depression)… nonetheless I regard anything you can extend that assists me in carrying this burden to be a personal favor.” An important letter whose common interests unite rabbinic concern emanating in Europe, with solutions to be found in America.