By the Grace of G-d3rd day of Sivan, 5742Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and blesssing:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter (postmarked 19 May), in which you outline some highlights of your life, and your resolve to return to your roots and Yiddishkeit. May G-d grant you Hatzlocho to achieve this even more easily than you anticipate.

The present days, on the eve of Shovuos, Zman Mattan Toroseinu - the anniversary of G-d's Revelation at Sinai and Giving us the Torah - are certainly auspicious for every Jew to reaffirm his, or her, commitment to the Torah and Mitzvos with redoubled devotion and joy.

I hope to receive good news from you about your progress in the said direction.

With blessing,

M. Schneerson

P. S. Inasmuch as you have used the expression "renegade Jew," usually referring to a Jew that has formally adopted another religion, I call your attention to the following important point.

Although a Jew cannot actually change his essence and always remains committed to Yiddishkeit, nevertheless, where there has been a baptism, Jewish Law requires that it be formally annulled by Tvilah - immersion in a Mikveh, in addition to reaffirming one’s commitment to the Torah and Mitzvos.¹ The Tvilah has to be done in the daytime, in the presence of three orthodox Jews. There should be no problem whatever in carrying out this procedure in Seattle, and, of course, time is of the essence.