User:Stikalsky/sandbox

Shtadlan played large roles in the Jewish communities, especially in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. One prominent shtadlan was Barukh ben David Yavan born in the early 1700’s. Yavan was instrumental in many secret missions between the king of Poland, Augustus III and Frederick II of Prussia, helping to end the War of the Austrian Succession. Yavan was also in contact with a papal nuncio in Warsaw allowing him to save many Talmuds after the Kamieniec disputation that led to most Talmuds being burned.

Jacob Teitel, born in 1851 under czarist Russian rule, is another example of an influential shtadlan. After a pogrom began in the city of Saratov, he used his connection to the regional governor to stop anti-Jewish actions from continuing.

Shtadlan relied on many tactics to intercede on the behalf of the Jewish community. These ranged from emotional appeals, such as begging, rational appeals such as trying to implement charters or decrees, and they also used gifts of money or other goods to gain favor. Elyakim Zelig from Jampol, reported specifically on the need to beg for the Pope’s favor during a mission to Rome in 1757 in which he tried to gain support for defending Jews against blood libel charges.

Also add information about Herbert Hoover and his interactions with Jewish shtadlonim and their work to help the Jewish community.