By the Grace of G-d Erev Succos, 5725Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dr. Moses A. Leavitt
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
3 East 54th Street
New York N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
I have been informed of your very kind cooperation in our efforts to send a Rabbi to conduct services for the Jewish personnel at Thule, Greenland, on Yom Kippur, as soon as Mr. Tarshansky brought the matter to your attention.
With a great deal of goodwill and cooperation on the part of the authorities, all facilities were granted for our emissary, and the mission was successfully accomplished.
I wish to take this means of expressing to you and Mr. Tarshansky our grateful appreciation of your taking a personal interest in the matter.
With kindest personal regards and best wishes for a Happy Yom Tov,
With blessing
M. Schneerson
Notes and sources
Moses A. Leavitt (1894–1965) served in leadership roles in the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), serving as its executive vice chairman from 1947. Leavitt maintained a close relationship with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, facilitating JDC assistance for Chabad’s efforts in post-holocaust Europe, North African Jewish communities and underground activities in the USSR.
For more information and a list of additional letters addressed to Dr. Leavitt, see letter dated 12 Shevat, 5712.
Regarding Rabbi Shmuel Lew's visit to the Thule Air Base see Toras Menachem, vol. 41, p. 72, fn. 72; letter addressed to President Lyndon B. Johnson of the same date (Erev Succos, 5725); Likkut Maanos, 5725, Maana 76 (from Teshura, 5781-09-08, Lew); interview with Rabbi Shmuel Lew on Chabad.org.
Source: Photocopy of original
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive
Credit: JDC Archives
JDC Archives