ב”הTishrei 8, 5708Sept. 22, 1947
Mr. Julius Stulman,
171 West Street,
Brooklyn, N.Y.
My dear Mr. Stulman:
On behalf of the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, I wish to express to you herewith our grateful thanks for your kind contribution, receipt for which is enclosed herewith.1
I take this opportunity to once again2 extend to you and yours my best wishes for a very happy New Year with success in all your undertakings.
Rosh Hashanah literally means 'Head of the Year' for as the head resolves upon good intentions and the whole body carries them into effect, so Rosh Hashanah is the time for undertaking such resolutions to be carried out in the course of the New Year. However, the practical realization of such resolutions should begin immediately, at the beginning of the year, in order to translate into deed what has been resolved upon in spirit; then the deed serves as a 'deposit' and 'sample' of the future deeds to be carried out through the year.
Thus, you have indeed acted in the true spirit of Rosh Hashanah, and I feel sure that you will fully materialize the mission with which my venerable father-in-law שליט”א has invested you in the field of kosher education, of which your present kind contribution is truly a worthy and commendable sample.3
I will conclude with the prayerful wish that also the blessings which my father-in-law bestowed upon you and your family may fully be realized.4
Sincerely yours,
M. Schneerson
Chairman, Executive Committee.
Notes and sources
Mr. Julius (Yehudah) Stulman (5666 -5757) was a prominent American-born industrialist, thinker, and philanthropist. In the early 1940s, Stulman developed a deep personal connection with the Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe, becoming one of the biggest financial supporters of Merkos. For further information regarding Mr. Stulman and additional letters addressed to him, see letter dated October 11, 1942.
A copy of this letter was sent to Mr. Alexander Cowen along with a Yiddish letter in which the Rebbe thanked Mr. Cowen for his help in inspiring and bringing to fruition the task (shlichus) that the Rebbe Rayatz had given Mr. Stulman. In that letter (as in this letter) the Rebbe tells him that this effort serves as a 'deposit' and 'sample' of the future deeds to be carried out through the year (Igros Kodesh Miluim).
1) The receipt (dated Sept. 22, 1947) reads:
This will gratefully acknowledge receipt of your kind contribution to the Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, Inc., in the sum of FOUR THOUSAND ($4000) DOLLARS.
2) See letter dated Erev Rosh HaShana, 5708.
3) See Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, vol. 8, letter 2,664 (pp. 574-575).
4) See also letter of the Rebbe Rayatz dated 26 Elul, 5707 and the audience with the Rebbe Rayatz on 18 Elul, 5707.
Source: Photocopy of Original.
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive.
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