By the Grace of G-d8th of Adar I, 5722Brooklyn, N. Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of February the 8th.

My views regarding the advisability of Jewish young men and young women to attend college have been amply stated in my correspondence on the matter with others. A letter of mine on the subject was also published in the press. You will find a copy enclosed.¹

I would like to add that, for obvious reasons, I have couched my views in relatively mild terms, since one must use a certain amount of discretion in a letter which is published. In truth, my negative attitude towards college attendance is much stronger than indicated in the letter, and it is based on numerous instances which came to my attention, so that I speak from wide experience.

I must make a further observation that my letter was written and published in New York City, taking into account even universities and colleges in New York City, in which there is a very sizeable body of Jewish students, boys and girls, among them a goodly number of religious students, who even have organized there daily afternoon and evening services, etc., and, in general, can arrange their own social life without mixing too much with the non-Jewish student body. Moreover, my views take into consideration even universities existing in cities as N.Y. with a Jewish population which may be as high as 25%. In other words, my negative attitude towards the colleges and universities apply even under the most favorable conditions; how much more so to universities and colleges which are not so favorably situated from the Jewish point of view.

You write that you have the fullest confidence that you could resist the negative influences, etc., and as proof you cite the fact that you have attended high school for a number of years without it having a detrimental effect on you.

In reply to this, let me, first of all, tell you that high school cannot be compared with university. In the case of the former, the Jewish boy or girl attending high school receives a greater influence at home than at school, while in the case of university, the reverse is true, and the influence of the home becomes progressively smaller, while the influence of the university and the university atmosphere becomes greater.

However, what is even more essential is the fact that while self-confidence is a good thing, one should not be foolhardy and take chances. As you know, every Jew, including the greatest Tzaddik who has lived most of his life in saintliness, still prays every day, at the beginning of the morning prayer, ”Bring me not into circumstances of temptation."

It is clear from your letter that you have a desire to attend university and that you would consider it a "painful sacrifice" to give up the idea. In view of this, I would like to add a point which will perhaps make it easier for you to accept the true reality of the situation. As you know, you and your family, together with other families who fairly recently immigrated into Australia, have brought about a revival of Jewish religious life, a revival which is presently progressing steadily. Thus, the broad sections of Jewry in Melbourne and Australia follow with keen interest everything that takes place in your circle and group. If one who is a representative of this circle would break through the fence which has been recognized by this circle as vital to its work and purpose, such a breach is not only a personal matter but one that would have wide repercussions, and it would be viewed as a living example to follow. The consequences would be not only to encourage young men and women who have had considerable Jewish background, to follow this example, but would serve as a ”green light" to young people who have no such background.

What I mean to say, in other words, is that by doing the right thing you will be fulfilling a responsibility not only to yourself and your family, but also to many other families in your community, and this will be all to your own good as well as to the good of many others.

I was pleased to read about your activities in Mesibos Shabbos, and also in the Yeshiva. Since G-d rewards in kind, and in a generous measure, your good works for the benefit of others in the vital field of education will stand you in good stead to advance in your own education and stature, along the path of the Torah and Chasidus, to avoid temptation and pitfalls, and to enjoy G-d’s protection at all times.

Hoping to hear good news from you,

With blessing,

By Nissan Mindel