The Leo Baeck Institute London has recently acquired a significant piece of German-Jewish cultural history: a plaster bust of Dr. Lazarus Goldschmidt, the renowned scholar who translated the Babylonian Talmud into German. The sculpture, created in 1946 by émigré artist Elsa Fraenkel, was generously donated by Fraenkel’s daughter, Dorian Chacko, now 99 years old and residing in Bangalore, India.
The bust was hand-delivered to the LBI by Mariam Chacko, Dorian’s daughter and Elsa Fraenkel’s granddaughter, who travelled from her home in Houston, Texas, for the occasion. This personal delivery underscores the family’s commitment to preserving their heritage and supporting the LBI’s mission.
Dr. Joseph Cronin, Director of the LBI London, expressed his gratitude for the donation: “This bust is a remarkable addition to our collection, connecting us to two important figures in German-Jewish history – Lazarus Goldschmidt and Elsa Fraenkel. It’s a physical testament to the resilience and cultural contributions of Jewish émigrés in the face of persecution.”
The sculpture holds particular significance as it was created in 1946, shortly after both Goldschmidt and Fraenkel had fled Nazi Germany. Goldschmidt, who completed his monumental Talmud translation in 1935, left Germany in 1933, the same year Fraenkel departed. They later reconnected in London, where Fraenkel had settled in 1935 after a brief stay in Paris.
Fraenkel, known for her portrait sculptures, exhibited regularly at the Ben Uri Gallery in London from 1935 onwards. The gallery, which focuses on the work of Jewish artists, played a crucial role in supporting émigré artists during and after World War II.
Interestingly, this plaster cast is one of three known portraits of Goldschmidt by Fraenkel. One bronze-silver version was gifted to the Jewish Museum in New York by Ludwig Rothschild, Fraenkel’s brother, but is currently unlocated. Another is held in the Royal Library in Copenhagen, home to Goldschmidt’s extensive book collection.
The donation also brings to light a personal connection between Goldschmidt and the donor’s family. Dorian Chacko fondly recalls in her youth, Goldschmidt gifting her two books on lettering upon learning of her interest in the craft, highlighting the scholar’s generosity and the interconnected nature of the émigré community.
This acquisition not only enriches the LBI’s collection but also serves as a poignant reminder of the cultural exchange and resilience within the German-Jewish émigré community in Britain. The bust will be on display at the LBI London’s office, offering visitors a tangible link to this significant period in Jewish history.
More of Elsa Fraenkel’s work, including the bronze version sculpture of Goldschmidt, is available to view at https://www.elsafraenkel.com
