Pirsum Rishon: In honor of the upcoming holiday of Pesach we present letters of the Rebbe to the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in honor of the holiday of Pesach, and the response of the JDC to the Rebbe * The Rebbe’s Letters
Right from the beginning of its creation, the Lubavitch Hassidic movement distinguished itself by the fact that its followers were guided to apply and practice religious prescriptions in every detail of life * If the Gruzian Jews have maintained their Jewish identity and strong religious feelings and practices in spite of over 50 years of Communist propaganda and persecution, I am convinced that this is the result of the great efforts invested by Rabbi Levitin * The majority of Shochtim in England, France, Italy, the Scandinavian countries and Belgium are former students of our Yeshivot * When the Aliyah from Morocco was very high, there was a consensus of opinion by all concerned that the youth coming from our institutions in that country are the best element * This is obviously a very succinct description of our activities overseas, since otherwise it would require hundreds of pages… * What Does Lubavitch Do?
“The terrifying news about our unfortunate brethren in Russia are unequaled in the history of the Jews. Hordes of savages and wild beasts thrust themselves on Israel and his religion. Israel is made into mockery and derision by the uncouth and by the wicked; instead of freedom of thought and toleration, a horrible inquisition was levied on them, and about three million Jews are being robbed and persecuted” * The Letter
The Story of Miriam Horenstein: “It was a very hard job to take away the child from Mr. Kumala, because the latter … gave us a false address, trying to hide the child in order to prevent the possibility of her going away from him … It was clear that Mr. Kumala intended to abuse the whole matter for the purpose of a real blackmail executed as well on us, as on the child’s family abroad … The child is in good health and very satisfied of the change of her situation” * Saving a Life
Since G-d has brought you to Madrid, even if it is for a short while, the inner purpose of it is to help a fellow Jew in matters of Torah and Mitzvos * Seeing the extreme interest these students take in eating Kosher and, myself, feeling the urgency of it, I was obliged to help them * I receive letters from more students expressing their desire to eat kosher * I feel sure that you have instructed Barcelona to provide kosher for Passover food for all the students in Madrid * Mivtza Kashrus on Campus
Frierdiker Rebbe: By keeping Shabbos you have “added much importance and prestige to the important work of the JDC” * JDC: We are sure you will agree that ministering to Jewish needs in catastrophic situations permit such activities to be carried out on the Sabbath * Frierdiker Rebbe: Undoubtedly there is an orthodox Rabbi within reach of the JDC’s representatives everywhere whom they can, and I hope do, consult as to what exceptions are permitted in such cases according to the laws of our Torah * The Refugees’ Story – Tenth Installment
When 100 Chassidim sat in the Palestinian Office in Paris * The condition of moving to Israel is: Place us in a Chassidishe Kibbutz * The Rashag’s trip to Israel to visit the refugees * The beginning of the Chabad Yeshiva in Lud * “These Lubavitchers are known as fanatic” * “They work with devotion and … honesty” * “A very favorable report was received” about the Chabad Yeshiva * Pirsum Rishon: The Frierdiker Rebbe’s letter to the JDC regarding Kfar Chabad * The Refugees’ Story – Eighth Installment
The Rashag on leaving Europe: “the immigration should proceed illegally if necessary” * The response: “You can be sure that the JDC is doing everything it can” * Rabbi Gorodetzki: Establishing a Mikvah in Brunoy “is considered as most urgent” * The JDC on Rabbi Gorodetzki: “by the very nature of his persistence, personality, and superior intelligence, he has developed an extreme shrewdness” * Seventh Installment
Pirsum Rishon: A Budget Proposal for Chabad Lubavitch Activities in Europe, signed by the Frierdiker Rebbe * Among the budget items: The Yeshiva & the Girls’ Schools, Evening Classes, School for Shchita, Milah, Safrus, Etc. * Regarding the Jews in Russia: Supporting the undercover religious activities carried on by these people * Sixth Installment
The Frierdiker Rebbe’s Phone Call to the Chairman of the JDC * The Rashag’s efforts in securing funds for the 800 Chabad Chassidim who escaped Russia and were en-route to Poland * “Sometimes they have extra special expenses, such as they had last week in connection with the arresting of a group of 38 people” * Also: The list of the Chabad Chassidim who left Russia which lists Rebbetzin Chana, and her “Emigrant Card” * Third Installment
The Frierdiker Rebbe’s request: Please send “truly religious rabbis of first class personality” to assist the Jewish refugees in Europe * The basic requirements of Jewish educational institutions: to have Kosher kitchens and to provide the children with religious teachers and instructors * “I find it hard to believe that the AJDC would be guilty, either knowingly or inadvertently, of supplying Terefah foods to the Jewish DPs” * The Jewish Refugee Crisis – Second Installment
In the aftermath of World War II the Jewish nation suffered a “Refugee Crisis” with hundreds of thousands of Jews scattered in “Displaced Persons (DP) Camps” looking to find a permanent home * The American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) stepped up to the plate to supply the physical needs of the Jews, and the Chabad movement partnered with the JDC to ensure that Jews across Europe’s camps have their religious needs met * Part One
April 4, 2017