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Monash family prayer book joins collection

Four Jewish prayer books, printed by Sir John Monash's grandfather, have been obtained by the Monash University Library Rare Books Collection.

The prayer books were printed in Krotoschin, Prussia in the mid-1800s by Baer Lobel Monasch.

Purchased at auction, the books were formerly in the personal collection of a Melbourne Rabbi, explained Rare Books Librarian, Richard Overell.

"The books are for various festivals such as Shavout, Succot, and Yom Kippur and have been is use in local synagogues," said Mr Overell.

The Monash family originated in Prussia, in Posen Province, now part of Poland, where BL Monasch was a publisher of religious books.

Sir John Monash's family migrated to Melbourne in 1854 and changed the spelling of their surname when they arrived. "We already held one of BL Monasch's prayer books, donated by the Monash family, so it's great to be able to bring some of the set back together again."

The books are available for viewing in the library's Rare Books Collection.

29 July 2005

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   Photograph of rare Jewish prayer books from the mid-1800s, including five printed by BL Monasch, grandfather of the university's namesake, Sir John Monash.

Rare Jewish prayer books from the mid 1800s, including five printed by BL Monasch, grandfather of the university's namesake, Sir John Monash.