Poalei Agudas Yisroel (P.A.I). Historic Archive! 1945

Poalei Agudas Yisroel (P.A.I). Historic Archive! 1945
Collection of historical correspondence from the New York office of Poalei Agudas Yisroel, pertaining to many post-Holocaust matters and political and religious issues in Israel. A total of 120 pages.
Includes autographed or signed letters from the following Rebbes and distinguished Rabbonim: R. Nochum Mordechai Perlow of Novominsk (3 letters), R. Mordechai Sholom Yoseph Friedman of Sadigura, R. Moshe Lipschitz of Philadelphia. R. Pinchos Teitz (Chairman of the Poalei Agudas Yisroel National Convention of 1948), R. Isaac Tendler, R. Osher Zev Werner (Tiveria), R. David Ochs (Toronto), R. Meyer Schwartzman (Winnipeg), R. Avrohom Baruch Rosenberger (concerning meeting with the Satmar Rebbe), R. Shalom Pinchos Wohlgelernter (Chicago), R. Isaac Breuer (post-Holocaust encouragement to make the Land of Israel into a spiritual center), R. Pinchos Lewin (post-Holocaust message in the name of the Gerrer Rebbe), R. Yitzchak Meir Levin (8 letters), R. Dr. Isaac Lewin, R. Yehuda Rezmivitch (Nachshoni) of Arad Romania, R. Moshe Munk and R. Jacob Rosenheim (5 letters). Letters from political figures include Tzvi Kaspi, A. Luria (Consul General) and E. Epstein (First Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.A).
Issues include placement of war orphans, preparation for the Knessia Gedolah, discussion of the formation of a “Chazis Dat’atis” (Religious Torah Front), struggles over religious matters in the public arena, government coalition matters, impact of the Six Day War and many other political and personal topics.
Also contains much interesting correspondence sent to the New York office managed by R. Shimshon Heller (Honorary President R. Dr. Leo Jung) from many of the party’s leaders and Knesset members including: R. Kalman Kahana Assistant Minister of Education and Culture (15 letters), Binyamin Mintz, Postal Minister (15 letters), Avraham Yehuda Goldrat, Yaakov Katz, Avraham Werdiger, R. Raphael Katzenelebogen, Y. Hildesheimer, Y. Edelman, Y. Pffefer and many others.
The Poalei Agudas Yisroel political party stemmed from the Orthodox workers trade union party in Poland. With the establishment of the State of Israel, Poalei Agudas Yisroel associated with Agudath Israel while remaining part of the general Histadrut labor organization. The party organized a religious settlement movement, establishing some twenty religious Kibbutzim and settlements (such as Kibbutz Chofetz Chaim, Sha’alavim, Gamzo and Modi’in). These settlements did not perform agriculture during the Shmitta year (see correspondence with R. Aaron Soloveitchik). They also administered many children’s homes for orphans from Morocco and elsewhere, as well as sponsoring the religious youth organization Ezra.
During the early years, many prominent Rabbinic personalities supported or were associated with the Poalei Agudas Yisroel, such as R. Eliezer Silver, R. Pinchos Teitz, R. Yitzchok Isaac Small, R. Michel Feinstein, R. Eliezer Levine, R. Tzvi Eisenstadt, R. Noach Chodosh and others. At the height of its strength Poalei Agudas Yisroel helped bring down Ben Gurion’s government after disagreeing with him over religious issues.
Overall very fine condition, varying in size.
Opening bid $500