By the Grace of G-d 5th of Nissan, 5725 Brooklyn, N.Y.
Students of Grade 4
Rockwood Park Jewish Center
156-45 - 84th Street
Haword Beach 14, N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
I was very pleased to receive your letter of March 29th, and to read in it about the progress you are making in your study of the Torah and similar subjects. I was especially gratified to note that you are advancing in the fulfillment of the Mitzvoth in the daily life for this is, after all, the main purpose of the study of the Torah.
At this time, between the festivals of Purim and Pesach, you will surely remember the important part of the Jewish children in the two mentioned festivals especially. For, as our Sages declared, the miracle of Purim took place at the very time when Jewish children were gathered around Mordechai and were inspired by him to the utmost dedication and devotion to the Torah and Mitzvoth.1 As for Pesach, you surely know the importance of the “Four Sons” who are mentioned in the Haggadah, for whose benefit the Seder is mainly arranged. One of the important lessons here is that all Jewish children, whatever their background, should be gathered at the Seder table and taught the importance of Pesach and of the Jewish way of life in general.2 Those, like yourselves, who are fortunate to receive a Torah-true education so as to merit the title “Wise Son,” have a special duty and privilege to serve as a living example to less fortunate Jewish boys, to bring them closer to their Father in Heaven and to the Jewish way of life, the way of the Torah and Mitzvoth.
The collection for Tzedoko,3 which was raised in your class, is very welcome and a receipt is enclosed herewith. May it stand each and every one of you in good stead, to receive G-d’s blessings in all your needs, and especially to bless you with success in your advancement in Torah and Mitzvoth.
Wishing you all, as well as your teacher and parents, a happy and inspiring festival of Pesach, the Season of Our Liberation,
With blessing
By Nissan Mindel
Notes and sources
This letter was also sent, with minor changes, to the Students of class 7 of Yeshiva Achei Tmimim in Worcester Massachusetts.
The following is the letter the class wrote to the Rebbe:
ב"ה יום שלישי פרשת תזריע כ"ו אדר ב', תשכ"ה
Rockland Park Jewish Center
156-45 84 Street
Howard Beach 14, New York
March 30, 1965
Dear Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Schneerson:
We are the fourth grade of the Rockland Park Jewish Center, Queens. Our teacher, Rabbi Zakon, graduated from your Yeshiva. Since we have started צדקה around the time of Chankuka we have collected a favorable amount of money. We have thought it over many times and the class has chosen that it should be sent to you after Purim. On Purim, we put in מתנות לאביונים.
In our class work, we study חומש Rabbi Zakon translates it for us and sometimes gives us the רש"י explanation. Another of our books is the ספר השלישי. After we read a story we have a workbook that reviews the lesson. We have a history book, Our People. Every Hebrew day we write the date in Hebrew on the blackboard. Last but not least, we have the Siddur and we say our prayers. On Sundays, we say שחרית, on Tuesday we say מעריב.
The boys in our class have a ציצית club. Most boys wear theirs and the one who has worn their ציצית at the end of the turn will get a prize from Rabbi Zakon.
We would all appreciate a blessing from you that will let us go on doing well in our studies, become successful and live a healthful life.
Respectfully yours,
Grade 4 of the Rockwood Park Jewish Center and
Rabbi Zakon
1) See Esther Rabba 9:4. Yalkut Shimoni Remez 1,057.
2) See also letter dated 11 Nissan, 5717.
3) In the letter to the Students of Worcester, there is an addition here: for Moos Chittim.
Source: Photocopy of original
Published: Teshura, (Neparstak-Dubrawsky 1 Cheshvan, 5767).