ב"הTeves 6December 10, 1945
Joint Distribution Committee
370 Madison Avenue
New York City
Gentlemen:
Since the day the people in the concentration camps of the war-torn countries were freed, a steady contact was developed with them. The Jews of these countries turned to us with pleas for various kinds of Religious literature and textbooks, and especially books designed for Jewish education.1 From the books and brochures which are published by us, we already sent out to all our places of contact many thousands of copies, free of charge.2
Our financial status, however, makes it impossible for us to supply these people with all the books which are not published by us, and obviously, we are forced to purchase same from other publishing houses and book stores. The books which I refer to are Chumoshim, Gemoras, Shulchan-Oruch, etc.
We request, therefore, that you buy through your own channels, the amount of religious books of which they are in dire need, and then turn them over to us, so that we may be able to ship same to the people of Europe.
The amount which we must have at present is:
500 Chumoshim with Rashi
200 Tanach-Neveim Reshonim (Preferably with commentaries of Rashi).
50 Complete sets of Tanach
500 Tehilim (Psalms)
100 Gemoras – Baba Metziah.
100 Gemoras – Baba Kamma
50 Gemoras – Baba Basreh
50 Gemoras – Kidushin
50 Gemoras – Gitin
10 Complete Shaas
300 Kitzur Shulchan-Oruch
10 Sets Complete Shulchan-Oruch
Knowing of your interest in helping our brethren in every way, materially, and spiritually, we hope that you will accept our request, and have the above ordered at once.
Assuring you of our appreciation, and with best wishes, I remain
Sincerely yours,
M. Schneerson
Chairman Exec. Committee
Notes and sources
Written on the stationery of Merkos L'Iinyonei Chinuch.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is a humanitarian organization that has financed and facilitated humanitarian, social, and religious aid to Jews around the globe. From the onset of its establishment (in 1914) the Joint has worked hand in hand with the Rebbes of Chabad on several missions. For previous correspondence with the JDC regarding the assistance of the Jewish Refugees in liberated Europe, see letter dated March 4, 1945.
1) See report published in Kovetz Lubavitch, no. 8, p. 43 (Buchenwald Rabbi Turns to M.L.C.).
2) See Kovetz Lubavitch, no. 7, p. 32 (M.L.C Sends Textbooks and Brochures to France and Belgium); no. 8, p. 42 (M.L.C. Sends Orthodox Literature to Europe); no. 9, p. 60 (Machne Israel Sends Tefillin, Mezuzos, Taleisim, Sefarim to concentration camps); no. 10, p. 89 (Joint Receives Many Books from M.L.C. for Europe).
Postscript: Shortly afterward a new department of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch was established called קרן המצו"ת, an acronym of Mezuzos, Tzizis and Tefillin, focused on procuring these objects for those in need (see Igros Kodesh, vol. 2, letter 240). The objective of this department, as described in the Aims and Activities of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, was "to help in every phase of Jewish education, especially Jewish communities and displaced persons in liberated communities, supplying them with text-books, literature, etc."
Source: Photocopy of Original.
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive.
Credit: The JDC Archives.
The Plight of the Survivors
The JDC Archives