March 4, 1945
Julius Stulman, Esq.,
173 West Street
Brooklyn, N.Y.
My dear Mr. Stulman:
On behalf of the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, and in my own name, I wish to thank you for your generous contribution. It was particularly timely, since it helped to relieve the financial stringency of the Merkos. It was timely also because it came on the eve of Purim.
Purim commemorates the miraculous escape of our people from complete annihilation (Talmud Babli, Megillah 11a) during the time when Persia was the world power. We celebrate this festival by reading the Megillah, wherein the historical event is recorded, and also by sending Mishloach Monoth - food or drink ready to be consumed - and gifts to the poor, so that every one may rejoice with the happy Purim festival. Thus we see that there are two kinds of material assistance: relief to the poor and needy, and also to those who are not really in need of anything, except that they may not have anything ready, and would therefore have to go and buy and cook, before being able to celebrate Purim.
If such consideration is required in regard to material assistance, how much more so with regard to rendering spiritual aid. Here, too, there are two kinds of recipients: the spiritually poor and devoid of knowledge, and the spiritually rich, but only potentially so. In other words, those who have, and those who have not the mental faculties. We must render spiritual aid not merely to those who are spiritually poor, but also to those who are spiritually rich, but have not yet absorbed all the necessary knowledge. If we can save the latter time and effort by giving them something 'ready', it is a great Mitzvah.
I need hardly say that your generous assistance to the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch goes a long way in providing the vital spiritual food for our Jewish boys and girls.
I am looking forward to our early conference when the affairs and plans of the Merkos will be discussed in detail. We are now awaiting the financial audit by our accountant. However, in view of the fact that the accountant is now busy with Income Tax returns and would not have the audit for about two weeks, you may wish to have a meeting before that time. If so, please let me know.
With kindest personal regards,
Very sincerely yours,
Rabbi Mendel Schneerson
Chairman, Exec. Committee
Enc.
Notes and sources
Julius Stulman, a successful American industrialist and philanthropist, became deeply involved in the work of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch beginning in 5703 (1942–43). In Sivan 5704, in a private audience with the Rebbe Rayatz, Stulman was encouraged to dedicate his personal wealth and spiritual capacity toward revitalizing traditional Jewish education in America through Merkos, through the establishment of the Stulman Foundation. During that meeting, the Rebbe Rayatz emphasized that this undertaking was not merely philanthropic but a core expression of Stulman's personal spiritual mission (see as noted to letter dated 15 Av, 5704).
The Foundation was formally established in Av 5704, and over the following months, the Rebbe Rayatz, the Rebbe, and Alexander Cowen maintained close contact with Stulman to encourage his sustained involvement. These efforts continued through letters and a private audience in Teves 5705. Shortly after Purim, Stulman sent a Foundation check $5,000, which is acknowledged in this letter (A copy of this letter was sent to Cowen alongside a letter thanking him for his influence on Mr. Stulman (Hebrew letter dated 19 Adar, 5705, pub. Teldon Teshurah, 5772)).
See English letter to Stulman dated 27 Elul, 5704; Igros Kodesh, Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. 8, letters 2481 (to Cowen, 1 Elul 5704), 2514, 2515 (to Stulman and Cowen, 28 Tishrei, 5705), 2544 (Stulman, 19 Kislev), 2585 (Cowen, 10 Teves – invitation to Yechidus), 2602 (Cowen, 25 Teves – regarding the Yechidus); Yechidus of 13 Teves, published in Rebbe Responsa, Issue 36, pp. 34-38.
Source: Carbon copy
Published: Teshura, (Teldon-Flinkenstein, 7 Shevat, 5772).
Spiritual Charity - Not Only For The Poor
Source & Link: Teshura, 5772-05-07, Teldon-Flinkenstein: Alternative Source: