Judaica / Zionism - England, Medal of the Birmingham Hebrew National School, 1842-1843

Judaica / Zionism - England, Medal of the Birmingham Hebrew National School, 1842-1843 A remarkable silver / silvered medal issued in England to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone of the Birmingham Hebrew National School - one of the most significant Jewish educational institutions in early 19th-century Britain. The ceremony held distinguished importance, as the foundation stone was laid by Sir Moses Montefiore, the renowned Jewish philanthropist and communal leader who championed Jewish education throughout the diaspora. Obverse: Detailed depiction of the school building with the inscription: BIRMINGHAM HEBREW NATIONAL SCHOOL Reverse: Center text as it appears on the medal: THE FOUNDATION STONE LAID BY SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE F.R.S. AUG. 9 A.M. 5603 Surrounding the text is a Hebrew biblical inscription: “חנך לנער על פי דרכו גם כי יזקין לא יסור ממנה” (“Train a child according to his way; even when he grows old, he will not depart from it.”) A fitting verse expressing the educational spirit of the institution. At the bottom: PUBLISHED BY MEIR MOSS BIRMINGHAM Weight: 26.020 g Diameter: 40 mm