By the Grace of G‑d10th of Kislev, 5731Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. Shneur Zalman Jaffe
105, Cavendish Rd.
Kersal
Salford 7, Lancs.
England
Greeting and Blessing:
I duly received your telegram about the concert. I am sure you will not withhold good news about the developments.
The main points of this letter are 1) to express my confident hope that all the necessary preparations are being made to observe Yud-Tes Kislev, and may G‑d grant that it should be with much Hatzlocho, especially as these prayerful wishes are expressed on the 10th of Kislev, the Geulo of the Mitteler Rebbe.
2) I trust you will not take amiss my following remarks. I have just bidden farewell to your sister and brother-in-law, Mr. And Mrs. Goldfield, on the eve of their return to Eretz Yisroel. In connection with their frame of mind, about which there is no need to elaborate to you,1 it would be very good if you and your brothers would make the trip to be present at the wedding. This would be of great moral help to your sister and brother-in-law. Incidentally, it would also give you an opportunity to visit our Chabad institutions, and get acquainted with Chabad activities now there at first hand.
To conclude on a happy note, I extend to you my sincere wishes of Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov, on the occasion of the marriage of your niece, Miss Unsdorfer, and also on the forthcoming marriage of your nephew Goldfield in Eretz Yisroel.
May you always have good news to report.
With blessing for Chag HaGeulo and a bright and inspiring Chanukah,
M. Schneerson
Notes and sources
1. The couple had recently suffered a tragedy when their 18-year-old son was killed in a road accident. They were now marrying off another son and told the Rebbe that they could not bring themselves to attend the wedding. The Rebbe replied to this, “Do as you wish. But all the נשמות will attend, including your son’s, and he will be disappointed not to see you there.”
Jaffe was not planning on attending either. At the Rebbe’s request however, he and his brother Ephraim, traveled to Eretz Yisrael for the wedding. The Rebbe thanks them in the next letter.
(It is interesting to note that in the letter received at the child’s birth, the word 'לחופה' was missing in the traditional blessing of לתורה לחופה ולמעשים טובים…)
See also the letter dated 5 Nissan, 5735.
Published: Mr. Manchester, (England, 2003), 205;Teshura (Yeshiva Lubavitch Manchester, Kislev 5756); Chabad.org