Tallit atarah (neckband) and ornaments. [ca. 19th century].
Silver thread, cotton. "Spanier Arbeit" (form of metal bobbin lace unique to Galicia. The name of the technique can be translated in Yiddish as "Spanish work"; according to one theory, it was developed in Spain before the Inquisition and brought over to Europe by the Spanish exiles).
The atarah and tallit ornaments are from the estate of the Charag-Geiger family in Safed. According to the family's report, they were part of the tallit worn by the rebbes of Kosov-Radovitz in Safed. The tallit was first used by Rebbe Yosef Alter Hager of Radovitz (second son of Rebbe Chaim of Kosov – the Torat Chaim; he immigrated to Safed in 1873, and later settled in Haifa, where he was buried in 1879). It was was later passed on to his son, Rebbe Moshe Hager of Radovitz, who was buried in Safed in Kislev 1901. The rebbe's tallit reached R. Moshe Charag (Zeiger), trustee of the Kosov-Vizhnitz Kollel in Safed and associate of the rebbes of Kosov and Vizhnitz, and was later inherited by his grandson (son of his daughter), R. Yosef Tzvi Geiger. Over the years, the tallit wore out and fell apart, and only the present atarah and ornaments remain.
Rebbe Moshe Hager of Radovitz (1840-1901, Encyclopedia L'Chassidut, III, pp. 264-265), author of Vayikach Moshe, son of Rebbe Yosef Alter Hager of Radovitz (1820-1879, second son of Rebbe Chaim of Kosov and son-in-law of the son of Rebbe Moshe Tzvi of Savran). In 1873, when his father immigrated to Safed, he was appointed his successor as rebbe in Radovitz, but instead gave over the position to his son R. Yisrael and followed his father to Safed (his father later moved to Haifa and was buried in the old cemetery of Haifa). In 1897, R. Moshe settled in Haifa, and became one of the founders of the Ashkenazi settlement in the city. In 1899, he returned to Safed (see more about him in the foreword to the new edition of his book Vayikach Moshe, published by the Vizhnitz yeshiva – Bnei Brak 2000).

3 items. Size varies (atarah: 88X11 cm). Fair condition. Stains. Several tears and unraveled threads.

The Segulah of the Atarah from the Tallit of the Rebbes of Kosov
The Geiger family attest that for five generations, the atarah from the tallit of the rebbes of Kosov was used in the family at brit milah ceremonies, which were held in the Kosov synagogue in Safed. The atarah was placed at the head of the baby during the circumcision, as a segulah for longevity and health.

Collection of beautiful decorations to be hung in the sukkah, created by Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944). [Safed, late 19th century or early decades of the 20th century].
Cardboard, colored paper, oil pastels, color pencils, watercolor, gold paint, flax fiber, string, and metal wire.
Twelve beautiful ornaments intended as sukkah decorations. These decorations were all drawn, cut, colored, and glued by hand; some were made with stationery paper in secondary use. Including: • Doves with bodies made from paper spheres opening and closing in accordion-like fashion, with metal wire serving as hinge in both edges of sphere. • Clusters of balls made of glistening tinfoil (in gold, silver, and pink) filled with flax fiber. • A chicken (made from two cardboard panels sewn together to enclose a flax filling) along with a brood of chicks in multiple colors.
There are many extant copies of contemporary sukkah poster-decorations that were mostly printed and mass-produced. In contrast, hand-made decorations from this period, such as these – made for personal use and products of individual initiative – are quite rare.
In his (Hebrew) book of memoirs, Yosef Zvi Geiger's grandson, Benjamin Geiger, speaks of his grandfather's sukkah and its unique decorations: "His sukkah was one of the most beautiful in town. Grandpa invested a great deal of effort in [preparing] the decorations, and this went on for many days prior to the holiday. Obviously, we, the grandchildren, were happy to join in the creative and decorative process […] Once the construction phase was completed, the [sukkah] walls would be covered in white and colored sheets, upon which we would hang hand-painted and illustrated plaques that Grandpa personally created every year anew. I especially remember the ‘Ushpizin' plaque which would marvel all observers. In addition, there were the illustrations of the holy sites – Rachel's Tomb and the Cave of the Patriarchs – as well as papercuts of animals and birds. The ceiling was the main attraction of our sukkah. It was covered with a layer of fragrant myrtle specially brought from Mt. Jarmak [Arabic name for Mt. Meron], and suspended from it were numerous decorations prepared by Grandpa, such as birds made from hollowed-out eggs with bold-colored, glued-on wings and tails that would flap with the slightest breeze; a large, puffed-up mother hen surrounded by a brood of chicks; eagles with special [biblical] verses in their beaks, like ‘And how I bore you on eagles' wings' [Exodus 19:4] and ‘As a vulture that stirs up her nest' [Deuteronomy 32:11], and other [verses]. There were also bottles of oil, and juicy pomegranates. Word of the beautiful sukkah of Reb Yosel Todroses [Yosef Zvi Geiger] spread far and wide and many visitors arrived throughout the holiday to have a look. The grandchildren felt great pride in seeing and hearing the expressions of joy and wonder from all the visitors."
Size varies. Maximum size: 43 cm. Overall good-fair condition. Blemishes, tears, and stains. Repairs with acidic adhesive tape.
Reference: Benjamin Geiger, "One of the Elders of Safed, " Dapei Hayyim, Givatayim, 2011, Hebrew, p. 26.

Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944), native of Safed. One of the most prominent public figures in Safed. He served as general secretary of Safed's "Kolel" institutions, and his home was a regular meeting place for the "gaba'im" (managers) of the various local Kolelim and congregations. The Yishuv's foremost newspapers – including Havatzelet,   HaLevanon, and HaZefirah – regularly published his articles. He also served as a scribe for the Kolelim, and assisted illiterate members of the community by writing letters on their behalf. Geiger was renowned in Safed for being both a gifted scribe and talented painter, entrusted with producing beautifully scripted documents. Among his extant works are splendid "Mizrah" and "Shiviti" plaques, calligraphic and illustrated title pages for "donors books", certificates for donors and greeting letters, and papercuts in the Eastern European style. His contemporaries recall the beautiful "ketubahs" (marriage documents) he produced for the city's couples, decorated with gilt lettering and floral and vegetal designs; and the artworks he created to adorn the walls of the local synagogues, including gilt-lettered plaques. Among his many special talents was his ability to inscribe micrographic texts onto grains of wheat; he could fit several verses from the Bible onto a single grain. In the (Hebrew) book of memoirs by Yosef Zvi's grandson, Benjamin Geiger, entitled "One of the Elders of Safed, " Benjamin writes that his grandfather also specialized in engraving in stone (and inscribed several headstones in Safed). Benjamin also relates that Yosef Zvi was a lover and champion of the Hebrew language, and in his efforts to promote the language he would put up signs with words in Hebrew on the walls of study rooms and yeshivas throughout the town, so that children would get to know these words. He personally taught the language to his children and grandchildren, ensuring they would become entirely fluent.

"Shavu'osel"/"roizaleh", hand-painted papercut depicting flowers and birds, for the holiday of Shavu'ot, created by Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944). [Safed], 1908.
At the center of the papercut are two large roses, encircled by smaller flowers, leaves, and birds. In their beaks, two of the birds carry notes that, when combined, bear the phrase "For this Shavu'ot holiday." Toward the bottom, in the middle, is a strip inscribed (in Hebrew) with the Biblical verse "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys" (Song of Songs 2:1). The papercut is dated (in Hebrew) on verso: "Made in Year Tarsa-het" (Hebrew year 5668 = 1908).
Yosef Zvi Geiger was renowned in his hometown of Safed as a multi-talented scribe and painter. Among his extant works are splendid "Mizrah" and "Shiviti" plaques, calligraphic and illustrated title pages for "donors books", certificates for donors and greeting letters, and papercuts in the Eastern European style, including special papercuts for the Shavu'ot holiday and papercut sukkah decorations.
24X23 cm. Good condition. Tears. Minor blemishes, stains, and creases. Suspension holes. Repairs with acidic adhesive tape.

Yosef Zvi Geiger (1870-1944), native of Safed. One of the most prominent public figures in Safed. He served as general secretary of Safed's "Kolel" institutions, and his home was a regular meeting place for the "gaba'im" (managers) of the various local Kolelim and congregations. The Yishuv's foremost newspapers – including Havatzelet, HaLevanon,   and HaZefirah – regularly published his articles. He also served as a scribe for the Kolelim, and assisted illiterate members of the community by writing letters on their behalf. Geiger was renowned in Safed for being both a gifted scribe and talented painter, entrusted with producing beautifully scripted documents. Among his extant works are splendid "Mizrah" and "Shiviti" plaques, calligraphic and illustrated title pages for "donors books", certificates for donors and greeting letters, and papercuts in the Eastern European style. His contemporaries recall the beautiful "ketubahs" (marriage documents) he produced for the city's couples, decorated with gilt lettering and floral and vegetal designs; and the artworks he created to adorn the walls of the local synagogues, including gilt-lettered plaques. Among his many special talents was his ability to inscribe micrographic texts onto grains of wheat; he could fit several verses from the Bible onto a single grain. In the (Hebrew) book of memoirs by Yosef Zvi's grandson, Benjamin Geiger, entitled "One of the Elders of Safed, " Benjamin writes that his grandfather also specialized in engraving in stone (and inscribed several headstones in Safed). Benjamin also relates that Yosef Zvi was a lover and champion of the Hebrew language, and in his efforts to promote the language he would put up signs with words in Hebrew on the walls of study rooms and yeshivas throughout the town, so that children would get to know these words. He personally taught the language to his children and grandchildren, ensuring they would become entirely fluent.