By the Grace of G-d 15th of Teveth, 5719 Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dr. Moses A. Leavitt
Joint Distribution Committee
3 East 54th Street
New York 22, N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
I am writing to you in behalf of the application made by Yeshivas Amshinov "Shem Olam", of Bayit V’Gan,1 Jerusalem, for the immediate inclusion among the Yeshivoth which receive annual subventions from the JDC.
For many years I have known the leaders of this worthy segment of the orthodox Jewish community, and am convinced that the Yeshiva in question merits the fullest support of the JDC.
If there are certain technicalities to be overcome, I am confident that with your good will and influence a way will be found to overcome them. I am informed that a delegation of the leaders of the Yeshiva in question are ready and willing to meet with you or with anyone else of the JDC, to present any further data that may be required. I understand the application is due for consideration within the next few days, and I sincerely hope that you will give it your prompt and benevolent attention.
Assuring you of my sincere appreciation, and with all good wishes and
With blessing,
M. Schneerson
May I take this opportunity to put in a good word in connection with our applications before the Claims Conference,2 which I believe are about to come up for action. You have, in the past, given us much needed support, and your direct intervention has been decisive on more than one occasion.3 I hope and trust that you will once again take a personal interest in the projects submitted by our organizations, with a view to ensuring their receiving the most favorable consideration and maximum financial aid possible.
I thank you very much again.
Notes and sources
Dr. 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 Rebbe, facilitating JDC assistance for Chabad’s efforts in post-holocaust Europe, North African, and the USSR. For more information and additional letters addressed to Dr. Leavitt, see letter dated 12 Shevat, 5712.
1) The Yeshiva was founded by the Rabbi Yerachmiel Yehuda Meir Kalish, the Amishnover Rebbe, in 5716, and continues to operate to this day. For a conversation between the Rebbe and Rabbi Kalish after the passing of his father, Rabbi Shimon Sholom (who shared a warm relationship with the Rebbe Rayatz), see Toras Menachem Vol. 12, pp. 161 (19 Menachem Av, 5714).
2) The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany is an organization that represents Jews in negotiations for compensation and restitution for property stolen from Jews by Nazi Germany; Leavitt was instrumental in establishing the committee and served as its treasurer. Since most claims are on behalf of victims who perished in the Holocaust without leaving heirs, a large portion of the restitution has gone toward rehabilitating Jewish life.
3) See also letter dated 3rd Light of Chanukah, 5718, addressed to Dr. Leavitt.
Source: Photocopy of original.
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive.
Credit: The JDC Archives.
Funding For Amshinov