Harav Meir Shapiro’s Journey to America on Behalf of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin
Handwritten & Autographed Letter by Maharam Shapiro. Saint Louis, 1927
In 1926, Harav Meir Shapiro set out from Europe to the United States in order to fundraise for his world-famous Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin.
“The Captain of the Sinking Torah Ship Sails across the Ocean!” proclaimed the headlines of the Moment, the Warsaw daily newspaper. For a full year, Harav Meir Shapiro campaigned across the length and breadth of the U.S.A., journeying from city to state and inspiring American Jewry to join his efforts and donate generously to complete the Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin building.
In this letter, Harav Meir Shapiro describes his wearying voyage from Toronto to Saint Louis, Missouri, which was followed by Pesach spent in Detroit, Michigan, whereupon he returned to Europe. The letter describes his concerted efforts on behalf of the yeshivah and mentions numerous famous Rabbanim and Jewish dignitaries of the era.
Hagaon Harav Meir Shapiro (1887-1934), also renowned as Maharam Shapiro, was a brilliant Torah scholar and Rav in some of the most famous Jewish communities in Europe, a dedicated Chortkover chassid and talented educator, composer and fiery lecturer. He served as Nasi of Agudas Yisrael in Poland and was a member of the Polish Sejm (Parliament). He passed away at the tragically young age of 46 without any descendants, yet once expressed that he was privileged to leave behind two children for Klal Yisrael—the first was the Daf Yomi, and the second was Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin.
In the margins of this letter is a handwritten salutation and signature of Harav Yosef Rappaport (son of Harav Yisrael Rappaport, Av Beis Din of Chortkov) who greatly assisted Harav Meir Shapiro throughout his journey across America.
Saint Lous, 1927. Large letter measuring 21×28 cm, with original envelope. small tear on top slightly effecting text.
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