RABBI DR SOLOMON SCHONFELD (1912-1984), LEGENDARY HOLOCAUST RESCUE ACTIVIST...

RABBI DR SOLOMON SCHONFELD (1912-1984), LEGENDARY HOLOCAUST RESCUE ACTIVIST AND LEADER OF LONDON ORTHODOX JEWISH COMMUNITY – IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF LETTERS 1941-1954, TO RABBI TZVI HIRSH FERBER (1879-1966) OF LONDON.

Interesting collection of Hebrew and English letters from Rabbi Schonfeld to his friend Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Ferber. 21 Hebrew letters, of which 16 in handwriting, all signed, and 16 English typewritten letters (15 signed by Rabbi Schonfeld, and 1 by his secretary)

Excerpts from English letters (see also Hebrew description):

May 18th 1942
….Rabbi Lainer ought to realize that the needy clergy assistance draws on the general funds of the Emergency Council , and that his action has harmed both his colleagues and himself.

12th July 1942
We intend calling a conference of all London synagogues to consider help for the Needy Clergy Fund.

11th January 1943
…. I have been asked to approach you personally concerning your co-operation in our efforts to dispose Sir Robert Waley Cohen from his most unsuitable position as advisor on kosher food.

1st May 1943
I am aware of the attitude of the Mizrachi in the question of the education of refugee children in Palestine. I can assure you that Dr. Hertz will not be guided by their weakness.

15th Nov. 1943
…I agree with you concerning the conversions carried out by the liberals. As you know the Beth Din have decided not to admit converts except in bona fide cases.

12th March 1945
I have to thank you for your two seforim... I do wish our other Rabbis thought of Jerusalem as you do.

25th Oct. 1946
I am just off to Poland again hence my inability to reply properly.
Rabbi Dr Solomon Schonfeld, son of Rabbi Avigdor, Succeeded his father as Rabbi of the Adass Yisroel community, Rabbi of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations in London and President of the Jewish Secondary Schools Movement.

Rabbi Schonfeld studied at the Yeshivos of Tirnau, Neutra, and Slabodka. With the increasing Nazi threat to European Jewry, he worked heroically with Rabbi Weissmandl (with whom he was close since his time at the Neutra Yeshiva), Julius Steinfeld (of Vienna), British Chief Rabbi Dr Hertz – his future father-in-law, and other activists, to rescue Jews mainly from Austria and Germany and bring them to England, saving thousands through the Kindertransport and other ingenious schemes before and during WWII. After the end of the war, he travelled to the former concentration camps and worked for the religious and physical rehabilitation of survivors, and brought many of them back with him to England, where he devoted himself wholeheartedly for their welfare and care. He was also deeply involved in the establishment of orthodox Jewish schools and in other activities to promote and enhance orthodox Jewish life in England.

Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Ferber was born in Lithuania and studied under Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor of Kovno, Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer and Rabbi Naftali Amsterdam. He was a leading rabbinical scholar and leader in London, heading an independent community in the West End and heading the Hisachdus Horabonim in England. First Rosh Yeshiva of Manchester Yeshiva and later heading the Etz Chayim Yeshiva in London. Talented speaker and author of 14 rabbinic works, including Kerem Hatzvi.

Different sizes. All letters are in good condition.