"Kol Koreh" published by the rabbis of Romania due to fear of the communist tyrannical rule - praising the ...

"Kol Koreh" published by the rabbis of Romania due to fear of the communist tyrannical rule - praising the government for the prosperity of Jewish life there - signatures of 38 of the rabbis of Bucharest headed by the Rebbe, Rabbi Zusia Portugal of Skulen - Bucharest, 1954 - an exceptional, amazing item
Kol Koreh - a very long letters praising the Republic of Romania immediately after the Holocaust: its desire for peace, its freedom of religion, and the prosperity of the Torah, the Mitzvot and Jewish life.
Dozens of flattering sentences that have nothing to do with reality: communism is wonderful for world peace and Judaism; only the Western countries are threatening world peace and Judaism….
West Germany is a continuation of Nazi Germany and it (rather than communist, dictatorial Easter Germany) constitutes grave danger. Thus, in order to prevent a third world war and fortify Judaism, the Jews should remain loyal to communist Romania and the other communist countries under Stalin's reign.
All this is hand-signed by all the rabbis of Romania, without exception, - dozens of rabbis, including the Rebbe of Skulen.
An unusual document demonstrating the great fear of the communist rule in Eastern Europe.
An amazing historical item!
The rabbis and notable figures of the Jewish community of Bucharest appeal to other Jewish communities to act in order to prevent a third world war: The Gods of gold and silver are preparing atomic bombs on a worldwide scale … by establishing the Nazi Wehrmacht in Western Germany any by giving financial support to all forces of darkness …. And all those who spilled the blood of millions of our brothers, the Jewish people".
"How can you stand idly by watching the haters of humanity trying to redestroy our community …how can you hold back and not fight with all your might to help us in this war … which we are conducting side by side with the rest of the countries which support peace and freedom [that is, the communist countries]…"
This unbelievable letter demonstrates the great fear in Romania at the time as well as the rabbis' understanding that only by means of undisputable support of the government, the continuing existence of Jewish communities and Jewish life will be enabled.
The letter is signed by thirty eight rabbis and notable figures of the Jewish community, headed by the first Skulener Rebbe, Rabbi Eliezer Zusia Portugal (1897-1982), the grandson of Rabbi Chaim of Solobkovtsy. Since 1915, he replaces his father as the Rabbi of Skulen. He moved to Czernowitz due to a dispute (see "Zekan Aharon") and served as the president of Agudat Yisrael.
He survived the Holocaust and was appointed the rabbi of Bucharest; there he took care of hundreds of orphans, Holocaust survivors. He was arrested several times due to his activity.
In 1960, the Romanians were pressured to release him and he tracelled to New York, where he continued to help the Jews of Eastern Europe under the communists reign. In Israel, he established the "Chessed Le'Avraham" network of Talmudei Torah for helping orphans and children. His son, Rabbi Yisrael Avraham, succeeded him as the Skulner Rebbe. His compositions: "No'am Eliezer" and "Kedushat Eliezer".
3 leaves, 29 cm.
Condition: Very Good.