By the Grace of G-d 27th of Sivan, 5721 Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. Zalmon Jaffe
105, Cavendish Road
Kersal
Salford, 8, Lancs.
Greeting and Blessing:
I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your cable about the possibility of the entire group being received by the Rebbe Shlita on arrival.1
It is difficult to say anything definite at this time, since the date and time of arrival have not yet been finalized. However, when the group is about to board the plane, and perhaps from actual flight, you will surely advise us of the exact hour of arrival, and then the question will be given consideration. You should bear in mind, however, that if the actual arrival of the group is at an inconvenient hour, and especially if the travelers may be wary of the journey, it may not be well-advised to arrange an immediate reception by the Rebbe Shlita. Needless to say, the travellers, themselves, should also be consulted, as it would not do to make them feel that they have been imposed upon.
With blessing,
Nissan Mindel
Sec’y
Since writing the above, your letter came with additional information about the trip, the arrival time expected to be between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. The Rebbe Shlita wishes me to state that there would be no objection on his part, but the decision rests with you, in the light of what has been written above. When you have made a decision, please notify, preferably by cable.2
The Rebbe Shlita appreciates the information regarding the Jewish Girls Grammar School. But because of pressure of duties, and not wishing to delay this letter, further reference to this subject must be deferred.3
Notes and sources
Mr. Shneur Zalmon Jaffe (5673–5760 / 1913–2000), was a Lubavitch businessman in Manchester, England, who merited a very close and unique personal relationship with the Rebbe. For further biographical information and over 200 letters he received from the Rebbe, see letter dated 20 Iyar, 5713.
1 The trip discussed in this letter is the first official trip from England to the Rebbe in New York, in a chartered flight arranged by Reb Zalmon. The flight was scheduled to land in New York on 20 Tammuz (for previous correspondence regarding the flight, see letters dated 11 Nissan and Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 5721).
2 The Rebbe did indeed receive the group, as Reb Zalmon records (excerpts from My Encounter With The Rebbe, vol. 1, pp. 63ff):
"A quick consensus revealed that our passengers were very much in favor of such a unique and generous honor immediately upon arrival.
It was nearly 3:00 in the morning when we finally arrived at 770 Eastern Parkway, the headquarters of the Lubavitcher movement. Refreshments had been thoughtfully provided for us and whilst about 400 people who were present were singing niggunim, friends and relatives were being reunited.
We were now indeed waiting for that moment, the highlight of our visit, our first meeting with our beloved and revered Lubavitcher Rebbe.
At 3:30 a.m. on the dot, there was a sudden hush, an almost unnatural silence, and a passageway was miraculously cleared in the midst of the tightly packed crowd of men and boys who lined the side of the hall.
What a thrilling moment as, with head erect and with light but resolute steps, the Lubavitcher Rebbe strode to the dais and seated himself in solitary state at the table, surrounded by a semi-circle of about fifty rabbonim. He gave a wonderful and welcoming smile to me.
Everyone drank to his health and said "l'chaim" and the Rebbe replied to each one with "L'chaim vlivrocho." That the Rebbe should welcome us personally at 3:30 in the morning was a remarkable and unprecedented honor and a stimulating experience. We were all very conscious of this extraordinary gesture".
The Rebbe delivered two sichos, welcoming the guests by dwelling on the meaning of the traditional greetings of “sholom aleichem,” and addressing the time of year—the Three Weeks—and its lessons.
3) See letters dated 20 Sivan 5721(a), 20 Sivan 5721(b).