Bronze relief of a Yemeni Jew in profile, the work of Bezalel artist Moshe Muro (unsigned). Affixed to a metal plaque dedicated to public figure Mordechai Eliash on the occasion of his marriage: “Presented by the members of Yeshurun to Mr. Mordechai Eliash on his marriage, 24 Menachem Av 5686” (August 4, 1926). (Eliash was among the founders of the Yeshurun Synagogue in Jerusalem).
Mordechai Eliash (Elyash) 1892–1950. Jurist, public figure, and diplomat during the Yishuv period and the early years of the State of Israel. He served as the first envoy of the State of Israel to Britain. Mordechai Eliash lived in Jerusalem and became one of the leading attorneys in the Land of Israel during the British Mandate period. He was Chairman of the Bar Association (the body that preceded the Israel Bar Association). As an ardent Zionist, Eliash frequently provided legal services to the institutions of the Yishuv, served as legal adviser to the Jewish National Council, and acted as counsel for many members of the “Haganah” organization. Eliash also served as legal adviser to the Chief Rabbinate. In 1949, he was appointed as Israel’s first envoy to Britain. He passed away in March 1950, while serving as Israel’s envoy in London, and was buried in the Sanhedria Cemetery in Jerusalem, in a large funeral attended by many public figures.
Relief: 7 × 5.5 cm. Metal plaque: 11 × 14 cm. Good condition.
