By the Grace of G-d11th of Shevat, 5716Brooklyn, N.Y.
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc.
270 Madison Avenue, New York 16, N.Y.
Attention: Henrietta K. Buchman
Secretary, Committee on Cultural-Religious. Affairs
Gentlemen:
I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter of January 20, 1956, enclosing your check #G-18269 in the amount of $10,000, representing a loan toward the completion of our printing school building in the Holy Land, in accordance with the agreement reached between Rabbi Gorodetzki and the late Mr. Beckelman.1
Assuring you of our appreciation of your kind cooperation,
Sincerely yours,
Nissan Mindel
Secretary to
Rabbi M. M. Schneerson שליט"א
Notes and sources
In 5716, plans were made to expand the Vocational School of Kfar Chabad (Beit Sefer LaMelacha), renovate the buildings and establish a third branch for printing (alongside the previous branches for farming and carpentry). An application for financial assistance in the form of a loan was submitted to the the American Jewish Joint Committee (JDC).
1) Rabbi Binyomin Gorodetzki, (director of the European Lubavitch Bureau and Chabad's JDC liasion) had negotiated the terms of the loan-grant with Mr. Moses Beckelman (director-general for the JDC's overseas service) before Mr. Beckelman's untimely passing.
2) Soon after securing this grant from the JDC, the Rebbe instructed the administration of the Vocational School to proceed with their expansion plans (Igros Kodesh, vol. 12, letter 4123). Tragically, on Rosh Chodesh Iyar of that year, three terrorists attacked the school, opening fire on the students during their evening prayers. Five students and their instructor were murdered during the attack, leaving the entire community in shock. At the conclusion of Shivah, the Rebbe sent a telegram encouraging the residents of the village to expand all their activities. This was then followed by another telegram to the administration of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim—under whose auspices the Vocational School operated—reaffirming his earlier directive to proceed with the expansion (Igros Kodesh, vol. 13, letters 4303-4304).
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on the 3rd of Sivan and was attended by thousands from across the country, including dignitaries, politicians and leading Rabbis. The new wing was dedicated in memory of the victims and named "Yad HaChamisha" ("Hand of the five") after the five students. (See also Telegram to President Eisenhower, dated April 16, 1956.)
, In 5718, the school received a grant from the JDC to defray the cost of printing equipment. In 5721, plans were made to expand the program to include courses in offset printing. On October 26, 1960, the Rebbe's secretariat issued a memorandum describing these plans, which they submitted to the Jewish Restoration Successor Organization (JRSO) with a request for partial funding. The JRSO approved the grant in the amount of IL 30,000 (see letter dated 28 Teveth, 5721).
Source: Photocopy of Original.
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive.
Credit: The JDC Archives.
Chabad Printing School
The JDC Archives