By the Grace of G-d 3rd of Nissan 5744Brooklyn, N. Y.
P. O. B. 2073
Breederstraat 74 (o)
Curacao, N. A.
Greeting and Blessing:
I was pleased to receive your regards through our esteemed mutual friends.
I must, however, take exception to your referring to yourself as "a small Jew from Curacao." There is surely no need to emphasize to you at length that every Jew, man or woman, has a Nefesh Elokis. which is a "part of G-dliness Above," as explained in the Tanya, beginning of chapter two. Thus, there is no such thing as "a small Jew," and a Jew must never underestimate his or her tremendous potential.
With the approach of the Yom Tov Pesach, I take this opportunity of extending to you my prayerful wishes that the Festival of Our Freedom bring you and yours true freedom, freedom from anxiety material and spiritual, from anything which might distract from serving G-d wholeheartedly and with joy, and to carry over this freedom and joy into the whole year.
Wishing you and yours a Kosher and happy Pesach,
With blessing,
M. Schneerson
Notes and sources
Behind the Letter: In Adar II of 5744 (1984), Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky received an urgent call from the Rebbe’s office: travel immediately to the Caribbean island of Curaçao. When he inquired about the reason, Rabbi Hodakov admitted he didn’t know—it was simply the Rebbe’s instruction. Rabbi Kotlarsky and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Krinsky flew out that day.
Upon landing, they took a taxi to the local shul, where they encountered a man leaving the building. They introduced themselves as the Rebbe’s emissaries and asked if he could help them contact local Jews.
The man nearly fainted.
After regaining his composure, he introduced himself as Chaim Groisman, and shared his story. There was no Jewish school on the island, so Jewish children attended public school. Recently, the administration had changed, and Jewish students began facing severe mistreatment—particularly pressure to attend Catholic services on Sundays. Chaim’s young son Eli had stopped going to school, and although Chaim and his wife supported him despite their limited religious background, the family now faced social isolation from both the general community and local Jews.
Just days earlier, Chaim had dreamed of his late grandmother telling him that if he ever faced trouble, he should turn to the Lubavitcher Rebbe for help. When he awoke, he didn’t know what to make of it—he had never heard of the Rebbe. He prayed to G-d for guidance, and now, the Rebbe’s emissaries stood before him.
After a heartfelt conversation, Rabbi Kotlarsky encouraged Chaim to send Eli abroad for a proper Jewish education and invited the family to visit Crown Heights. On the 18th of Adar II, after an uplifting visit and attending the Rebbe’s Purim Farbrengen at 770, Chaim wrote to Rabbi Kotlarsky. His emotional two-page letter expressed gratitude for the hospitality and the privilege of being in the Rebbe’s presence. He confirmed that Eli was ready to attend Gan Yisrael summer camp and then Yeshivah. He concluded: “I would like you to extend the Rebbe my most sincere appreciation and other good feelings, but for lack of good English, I do not know what words to use. Just tell the Rebbe that a small Jew from Curaçao felt that the Rebbe Shelita touched my soul; thank you for doing it.” Rabbi Kotlarsky forwarded the letter to the Rebbe, who sent the above response.
Based on the accounts of Rabbi Kotlarsky and Eli Groisman, the son of the recipient (Kotlarsky Family Memento (3 Marcheshvan, 5774); A Jew in Curacao, accessible at Chabad.org/133497).
Source: Photocopy of original
Published: Teshura (Emmer-Bassman, 10 Sivan, 5767).
No Such Thing as a Small Jew
Source & Link: צילום: Alternative Source: "Tshura Emmer-Bassman - Sivan, 10 5767 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GKhSxuZywp7OUUPOiC7p8BHhNLqNU4dE/view?usp=sharing" https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GKhSxuZywp7OUUPOiC7p8BHhNLqNU4dE/view?usp=sharing
Teshura, 5760-03-19, Shluchim Yeshivah Gedola New Haven - Tzilum (AS2)