By the Grace of G-d 19th of Adar, 5721 Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mr. Aaron Goodman
27, Lordship Park
London, N.16
Greeting and Blessing:
Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your letter of the 4th of Adar which you addressed to the Vaad Merkozi of the Agudas Israel World Organization.
Needless to say, I was shocked to read the published news item in question, and, furthermore, was even more distressed by the declarations which appeared in the Press from the quarters of the Aliya in the Holy Land, to the effect that the illegal emigration from that country will be continued, etc., etc. May G-d grant that your protest, together with protests of others, will be effective to stop such harmful publicity in the future.
I requested Rabbi Shemtov, before his return to London, to convey to you my personal regards and best wishes.
With blessing,
M. Schneerson
I trust you will continue to keep me posted, and also to send me everything that is published by you.
Notes and sources
Harry Aaron Goodman (1899-1961) was an London based Jewish activist, who served as vice-president of Agudath Israel World Organization and editor of the London Jewish Post. For additional letters addressed him, see letter dated End of Tammuz, 5719, and as referenced there.
1) This letter appears to address illegal Jewish emigration from Morocco. At the time, the Moroccan authorities prohibited Jewish emigration to the Holy Land. Despite this ban, Zionist organizations continued to facilitate and publicly encourage illegal departures. The situation escalated in January 1961, when a vessel transporting Moroccan Jewish emigrants sank at sea, resulting in the loss of dozens of lives and drawing intense international media scrutiny.
2) Several years earlier, around the time the ban was enacted, the Rebbe cautioned against hostile demonstrations during King Mohammed V of Morocco's visit to Washington (letter dated 2 Kislev 5718):
“…it is my firm opinion, strengthened by information from Morocco, that the efforts presently made to obtain concessions from the Moroccan Government should be conducted in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere, and that any hostile demonstrations on the part of any Jewish circles at this time would only serve to defeat the purpose…
Above all, an openly hostile attitude at this time would stifle any conciliatory attitude on the part of the Moroccan Government, and would very likely provoke it to retaliatory measures against the Jewish community in Morocco…”
This stance was consistent with the Rebbe's approach of utilizing quiet diplomacy and avoiding public confrontation and condemnation when influencing government policy, particularly regarding hostile countries and politicians on Jewish issues.
Source: Photocopy of original
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive