Large, hand-decorated poster – Hon VaOsher Beveito – call to found a library in Midrash Eliyahu, the Vilna Gaon Beit Midrash in Jerusalem – with letters and handwritten signatures of thirteen rabbis of Jerusalem, including R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld [whose letter opposes the secular libraries established in the city in those days which mixed holy and secular books]. Jerusalem, [ca. 1897].

Announcement of treasurers and administrators of the Midrash Eliyahu in Jerusalem, written as a personal appeal, with a blank space left to be filled in with the name of the donor, to establish a Beit Midrash for Torah and prayer, and a library, to be named after the Vilna Gaon, in Jerusalem.

Thirteen rabbis of Jerusalem signed the letter, some of whom added brief handwritten letters of support and assent, including R. Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, who adds that this would have the additional benefit of preventing people from visiting a library that mixed holy and secular book [apparently referring to the B'nai B'rith library established in Meah Shearim during that period].

The present poster also features signatures and letters of R. Shlomo Zalman Baharan Löwy, R. Asher Luria, R. David of Izabelin, R. Yehoshua Epstein of Vilna, R. David Tzvi Hirsch, R. Yisrael Isser of Slonim, R. Yitzchak son of R. Yosef Segal, R. Asher Dov Ber Zusman, R. Shmuel Dov of Vilna, R. Isser Ginzburg son of R. Naftali Hertz, R. Asher Anshel son of R. Elyakim, R. Yedidiah son of R. Nachman of Grodno.

[1] large leaf. 44 cm. Fair-good condition. Folding marks and creases. Stains and wear. Minor tears.