NEW YORK CITY — Long time rare book and Judaica specialists Kestenbaum & Company conducted its inaugural auction December 16, “150 Years Of Jewish Art,” devoted exclusively to Jewish art that delivered stellar results. The auction’s cover lot, Moritz Oppenheim’s 1867 painting “Friday Evening Blessing,” broke a world record for this artist at auction, selling to a private buyer for $442,100.

Another auction highlight was a portrait by Isidor Kaufmann of a Hassidic rabbi that realized $251,700 while a complete suite of eight original gouache and ink illustrations for the Book of Job by Arthur Szyk, each signed by the artist, sold within estimate at $135,300.

All prices reported include the buyer’s premium. The company’s next auction of Judaica will be held in spring. For more information, contact 212-366-1197 or www.Kestenbaum.net.