Bidspirit auction | A Rare and Historic Handwritten

A Rare and Historic Handwritten Letter by R. Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich of Simleu - A historic letter regarding the famed Yeshiva in Shimloy, entirely handwritten by R. Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich. This letter was written to Avraham Tzvi Friedman, probably one of his Talmidim living in America. In it, he expresses his desire to expand the Yeshiva and build a special guest house in Shimloy. He envisions a Yeshiva large enough to hold several hundred students and is requesting money for this endeavor.  Interestingly, he mentions Mr. Naftali (Henry) Fuerstein of Malden, Massachusetts who was one of the wealthiest and most generous Jews in America during this period. R. Ehrenreich writes that he had heard that Mr. Fuerstein had given one thousand dollars to another Yeshiva (equivalent to about $23,000 in today’s currency), so he was hoping that he would do the same for his Yeshiva in Shamloi.  The Fuerstein’s were famous as one of the most generous supporters of Torah institutions all throughout America and abroad. They founded and owned Malden Mills, the famed textile factory in Malden, Massachusetts. The business was taken over by Henry’s son Aaron, who became particularly famous after the major fire in 1995. Instead of focusing on rebuilding the business (which he ultimately did), he chose to focus on his employees and provide major compensation for them although he was not required to do so. To that end, he was recognized as an upright and G-d fearing individual who chose to sanctify G-d’s name over monetary profits. His story was featured and celebrated by all major media outlets, and was even awarded special praise from the President of the United States.  R. Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich (1863-1944), one of the leading Poskim and Roshei Yeshivos in pre-war Hungary. He was a grandson of the Kol Aryeh of Mad, and was held in high esteem by all. In his youth, he studied under the Kedushas Yom Tov of Sighet, and was a close friend of R. Yoel Teitelbaum, later known as the Satmar Rebbe. During the interwar period, his Yeshiva in Shamloy was recognized throughout Hungary, where he subsequently taught hundreds of Talmidim. In 1944, he perished in Auschwitz together with the members of his community.  Entirely handwritten on official stationery. Approx. 26 handwritten lines.  Dated 3 Vayera, 1931. In good condition, with fold marks. Taped.