Letter signed by rabbis and Torah scholars of Safed, addressed to R. Zadoc Kahn - chief rabbi of Paris and France, requesting he persuade his friend Baron Rothschild to come to their assistance. [Safed, before 1905].
Written by a scribe, with the calligraphic signatures of the Torah scholars of Safed: R. Moshe Maman (1838-1909, rabbi of Safed), R. Eliyahu Rachamim Antebi (1852-1920, preacher, Safed Torah scholar, born in Safed to R. Shabtai who was renowned for his holiness and righteousness, and was dubbed by the people "Mashiach"), R. Aharon Maman, R. Yitzchak HaLevi, R. Chaim Edery, R. Yehuda Ibghi, R. Nachman Abbou, R. Meir Barsheshet (emissary of Safed), R. Eliyahu Abitboul, and another signatory.
In their letter, the Torah scholars of Safed report that during his visit to Safed (in 1887), Baron Rothschild acceded to their request to open a boys’ school, yet the school which was established did not meet their needs - providing the students with a means of supporting themselves: "the students graduate knowing how to write a little Arabic and French, yet our main objective has not been fulfilled, since they have not acquired a profession…". The rabbis ask R. Kahn, as a close friend of Baron Rothschild in Paris, to prevail upon him to specifically found a vocational school.
On verso, a declaration from the Beit Din of Sefardim and Ashkenazim, attesting that they second the request of "the honored rabbis, notables of Safed". This passage is not signed (the letter may have never been sent).
[1] leaf. Approx. 28 cm. Fair condition. Stains, dampstains. Tears. Folding marks.