Proceeds of memorabilia aid JNF
A RARE collection of modern Judaica has been sold at auction, raising more than $11,000 for the Jewish National Fund (JNF) of Australia.
A RARE collection of modern Judaica has been sold at auction, raising more than $11,000 for the Jewish National Fund (JNF) of Australia.
To JNF chief executive Rob Schneider’s surprise, he was handed the collection of Israeli coins and medallions by the trustee of a deceased estate – that of the late Stephen Gerstl, a former federal director of the organisation.
Gerstl, who passed away in 1998, had meticulously assembled the collection of coins and medallions commemorating milestones in Israeli history.
The pieces included a 5000-lirot gold proof coin to mark the 1980 peace treaty with Egypt, a state medal issued in 1983 to acknowledge resistance against the Nazis, and a state gold medal issued to honour Operation Jonathan, which rescued 246 passengers held by terrorists at Uganda’s Entebbe Airport in 1976.
Gerstl and his wife Rita had donated the bulk of their estate to JNF Australia, but the coins and medallions were only discovered after Rita’s death in December last year.
“I was handed this remarkable collection by the trustee who suggested that it may be more valuable if the metal was melted down and sold,” Schneider said.
“Perhaps he was right, but I couldn’t bring myself to dispose of Steve’s obvious passion for collecting in such an inelegant fashion. It would have done no justice to his memory.”
While Schneider had no idea of its commercial value, he believed there would be considerable interest in the iconic events of Israeli and Jewish history that were reflected in many of the lots.
Schneider described the auction as “a wonderful outcome. The funds will be put to good use in Israel and I’m sure that both Steve and Rita would be pleased with what we’ve done in their name.”
PETER KOHN
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