A fascinating bibliographic letter sent by
Rabbi Dr. Moshe Carmilly-Weinberger (former Chief Rabbi of the Neolog community in Cluj) to the prominent Orthodox leader and historian,
Rabbi Leonard C. Mishkin of Chicago.
- The Orthodox-Neolog Connection: The letter represents a unique scholarly correspondence between a former European Neolog leader and a staunch American Orthodox Rabbi. Rabbi Mishkin, a renowned bibliophile, reached out to Rabbi Carmilly to locate a rare pre-war work.
- The Rare Book: Rabbi Carmilly identifies the book in question ("Jubilee Book for Dr. Pinchas Levi, Cluj 1939") and reveals a personal secret: He himself published it under his original name, Moshe Weinberger.
- Library Hunt: Rabbi Carmilly notes that he checked the library of Yeshiva University (where he taught) but the book was not there ("בספרית הישיבה אוניברסיטה איננו"). He advises Rabbi Mishkin that the only copy he has seen is at the Schechter (JTS) library in New York.
- Historical Context: Dr. Pinchas Levi was a lay leader in the Transylvanian community. The letter highlights how post-war Jewish scholars cooperated across denominational lines to preserve lost European history.
Sender: Rabbi Dr. Moshe Carmilly-Weinberger (1908–2010), the former Chief Rabbi of the Neolog Community in Cluj (Klausenburg), Transylvania, from 1934 to 1944. He was a hero of the Holocaust who saved thousands of Jews via the Budapest rescue operations. Later he served as a professor of Jewish Studies at
Yeshiva University.
Recipient: Rabbi Leonard (Leib) C. Mishkin (1907–1996), a prominent
Orthodox Rabbi in Chicago and a leader at the Hebrew Theological College (Beis Midrash LaTorah). He famously possessed one of the largest private Judaica libraries in America.
Publication Details:
Location: New York.
Date: December 13, 1964.
Condition report:
Excellent condition. Typewritten on personal letterhead. Signed by hand.
Language: Hebrew Location: New York, USA
