An important archive of letter, about the early days of the Jewish congregation in Melbourne, Australia, 1858-1883. English.
The archive contains letters written by the leaders of the congregation and by its Rabies, as well as by the chief rabbi of the British Empire Nathan Marcus Adler; letter directly related to the founding of a Beit-Din in Melbourne in 1864, the first Beit-Din in the British Empire situated out of London. Most of the letters are addressed to the President and committee of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation.
· 6 Letters written by Rabbi Moses Rintel, 1864-1872 (one letter is a handwritten copy from the period), most of them addressed to the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. · 25 autograph letters signed by the chief rabbi of the British Empire, Nathan Marcus Adler (two are copies from the period), 1861-1871. · 2 letters written and signed by Abraham Philip Ornstein, 1864-1872. · 2 autograph letters, signed by Rabbi Samuel Herman, from the years 1872-1875. · 5 letters concerning the St. Kilda Hebrew Congregation, (suburb of Melbourne), 1882-1883, including 3 letters signed by Moritz Michaelis and one by Isaac Hallenstein. · Autograph letter, signed by Raphael Benjamin, one of the congregation leaders, 1875. · 30 additional letters, large part of them from congregation members who address the leaders, with various requests and questions about daily life of the congregation, 1858-1883. Enclosed are two printed items – blank letterhead leaves of the congregation’s secretary from the 1880s, a prospectus of the periodical “Colonial Jewish Monthly” from 1875.
Total of approx. 85 items. Fair condition. Some letters with dampstaining, mildew stains and open tears, some with damage to text. Most of the letters are whole and legible.