By the Grace of G-d 4th of Adar, 5724 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing: 

Thank you very much for your letter. 

I want to assure you that it was a pleasure for me too, to have the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the various problems, particularly relating to the young generation. We are I am sure in full agreement, that the present age in general is an age of considerable confusion and that the present day young generation is particularly confused and frustrated. Unfortunately, those who are supposed to be the leaders and come out with clear guidance and direction, fail to do so, whatever the reason may be. On the other hand, there is a positive point in that the young generation of our day show a strong thirst and searching for truth, and many of them are prepared to accept the truth, even if it would entail, as a result, some hardships, not only materially but even a spiritual reorientation. The latter is, of course, much more difficult, for it would require the acknowledgement that so many past years were lived in error. This positive aspect offers a promising starting point to help the young adults of our generation, through proper guidance and influence by leaders who would have the courage to state the truth fully and in unequivocal terms. 

With reference to your suggestion about arranging a meeting with psychiatrists and myself, I do not think that this would be practical for a variety of reasons, some of which I believe I indicated during our conversation, although my door is open to meet with people to discuss various problems, especially problems of public interest. 

As for the possibility of meeting with a group of younger members of a religious community in order to be able to observe their reactions to certain questions, I trust you will forgive me for presuming to express a dissenting opinion on something which is in the sphere of your competence. It is my impression, insofar as I have been able to observe young people, that they would feel somewhat inhibited in expressing their free reactions under the circumstance of such a meeting. If it is desired to obtain a truly free and uninhibited reaction, it is necessary to avoid outside factors, which might distort their reaction. Thus, if they would be induced to participate in a discussion with someone who is not of their immediate circle, especially one who is not even of their faith, I am afraid they would feel somewhat inhibited, as mentioned above, which would deprive them of the attainment of the objective. 

On the other hand, I cannot see why the problem which you mention, and which we discussed during our conversation, should evoke different reactions in similar or parallel circles. In other words, I see no reason why younger people who have led a pious life, whatever their particular religion may be, should react differently to the same problems, inasmuch as their approach to religious adherence and strict observance (and this is what "piety” implies) is similar. Therefore, it seems to me that you should have no difficulty in arranging such a meeting under more promising circumstances from a scientific point of view. 

With personal regards and With blessing,