Group Photograph – First Meeting of the "Odessa Committee" in 1890

"The first general meeting in Odessa of the Society for Support of Jewish farmers and craftsmen in Syria and the Holy Land". [Eastern Europe, late 19th cen.]
An important historic photo of the "Odessa Committee" at its first meeting, after "Hovevey Zion" members got the authorities permission to act openly, and after establishing the above mentioned committee aimed at assisting Olim to Eretz Israel and supporting the settlements there. The committee ceased to exist in 1919 at the authorities' order. On the lower part of the photo appear the names of the photographed, amongst them: Shmuel Mohliver, Y.L. Pinsker, Asher Ginzburg (Ahad HaAm), Sholem Aleichem, M.L. Lilienblum, and others. Photo 16.5X20 cm. Fair condition, several tears and stains. Original leather frame, elaborate, 24X27.5 cm, fair-good condition.