“איללוסטריערטער לוח בחורים” – Illustrated Student Calendar – of the Holy Community Yeshiva of Shuran for the Year 5694 [1933-1934]. Rare. Hebrew and Hungarian.
A unique pocket calendar self-published by the Shuran Yeshiva – Hungary. The calendar includes the Ramban’s Letter, a Sermon on the importance of study delivered to promising young students before their journey to the yeshiva by Rabbi Yosef HaKohen Schwartz, a class photograph of the Shuran Yeshiva students from 1933, names of the yeshiva’s gabbaim and administrators, subjects studied in 1933, names of students who delivered discourses in the Sharpness Society, a detailed list of the names of the students who studied at the yeshiva in 1933, a weekday prayer order, and more.
The Shuran Yeshiva (or officially Shurani) was a central and well-known Torah yeshiva in Hungary, established by Rabbi Meir Leib Frey and operated in Shurani, in western Slovakia. The head of the yeshiva was Rabbi Meir Leib Frey, who initially delivered lectures there. Later, his son, Rabbi Yeshaya Frey, joined the administration. In 1905, after his appointment as the rabbi of Shurani, Rabbi Meir Leib established a yeshiva in the city, which initially had about 15 students and grew over the years, eventually reaching over 300 students at its peak. Initially, the yeshiva operated on a limited basis, with students eating and sleeping with families in the community and attending lectures by Rabbi Meir Leib during the day. The yeshiva was characterized by a high level of study compared to other yeshivas of the time, both in terms of learning and structure. The study was conducted with an emphasis on depth and self-improvement, with students distancing themselves from various distractions during learning. Over time, the yeshiva was developed and expanded, and in 1918, a new building was constructed, which included a dining hall, a novelty at the time. Socially, the yeshiva was distinguished by organizations established by the students, such as a medication organization, a haircutting service, and more. To encourage students, the yeshiva awarded cash prizes to outstanding students, a practice initiated for the first time in yeshivas in Hungary. These award ceremonies were reported in many media outlets of that time due to the event’s significance and uniqueness. Rabbi Meir Leib managed the yeshiva for about 40 years and was also responsible for its financial situation. Students were required to eat in the dining hall and pay for their meals to the yeshiva fund to cover the yeshiva’s expenses. In 1943, due to World War II, the yeshiva was closed, and the members of the Shuran community, led by Rabbi Meir Leib, were taken to the Auschwitz extermination camp, where they were murdered by the Nazis.
128 pages. 12 cm. New binding with gold lettering. Very good condition.
