Newly discovered documents from a 1921 edition of Haaretz newspaper have shed light on a fascinating piece of Gaza's Jewish history: the story of how Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaCohen Golomb helped secure a Torah scroll for the city's rebuilding Jewish community.
Historical Discovery
This finding follows our recent coverage of Rabbi Golomb's broader activities in Gaza and his connection to Rabbi Yeshayahu Shapira, known as the "Pioneer Rebbe," who supported Jewish settlement in the region. These documents reveal yet another chapter in Golomb's efforts to rebuild Jewish life in Gaza after World War I.
The Generous Gift
At the heart of this story is Rabbi Yaakov HaCohen Schechewitz, a remarkable figure who lived from 1844 to 1933. Born in Kharkov and later passing away in Haifa, Schechewitz came from an illustrious lineage of Kohanim (Jewish priests) tracing back to the renowned Rabbi Shabtai Cohen, known as the Shach.
Schechewitz's journey is particularly noteworthy - he studied at both the prestigious Volozhin Yeshiva and Berlin University, embodying a blend of traditional and modern education. As early as 1865, he joined a pioneering group seeking to farm in the Holy Land. In a revealing letter to Yehuda Leib Pinsker, he expressed his desire "to purchase land in the Holy Land, where it would be possible, beyond our love for our nation's cradle, to free ourselves from the corrupted luxuries of life."
A Timely Donation
The Torah scroll donation came at an important moment in 1921, as Gaza's Jewish community was recovering from the turmoil of World War I. Rabbi Golomb, who served as the community's ritual slaughterer, penned a heartfelt thank-you letter that appeared in Haaretz on April 5, 1921:
"With deepest gratitude and warmest blessings!" he wrote, praising Schechewitz's "pure heart and generous spirit." The letter emphasized how the scroll would enable public Torah readings, a cornerstone of Jewish communal life.
Broader Impact
Golomb's influence extended beyond this single event. A letter from the renowned Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook in 1924 praised his work maintaining kosher standards in Gaza. Rabbi Kook's correspondence also touched on the political situation, noting poignantly that "the Gaza border remains, to our sorrow, in foreign hands."
A Complex Web of Relationships
The appendix reveals fascinating details about both men's lives. Schechewitz's children went on to play significant roles in Gedera's development - one son became the village head, while another was a respected farmer. Meanwhile, Golomb proved to be a skilled businessman, managing the local branch of Rishon LeZion winery and developing crucial relationships with Gaza's Muslim leadership that later facilitated land purchases for Jewish settlement.
This newly uncovered chapter adds to our understanding of Gaza's Jewish community during this pivotal period. It demonstrates how religious life, business acumen, and diplomatic relationships intertwined in the complex tapestry of early 20th-century Palestine.
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