By the Grace of G-d19th of Iyar, 5738Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I am in receipt of your letter with the enclosure.

I trust you surely know that there are two approaches in matters of such intervention. One is going about it in a discreet manner or, as it is known, quiet diplomacy, and the other is via open intervention, etc. In some cases either of the two methods can be applied, but it is self evident that one who uses one method cannot at the same time also use the other, for when one associates himself with overt intervention, he loses the advantages of quiet diplomacy.

In light of the above and since you have already been active in this situation, I can only suggest that you should get in touch with those organizations and persons who have been openly active in such situations and have also been successful in many cases in the past.

I would like to add, however, the following point. Although it is necessary to do what is possible in the natural way, the success of such efforts depends, of course, on G-d’s blessing. And the way of a Jew to receive G-d’s blessing in all needs is by keeping the channels open through the daily life and conduct in accordance with G-d’s will, namely, in accordance with the way of the Torah and mitzvos. In addition, there is a special connection in this case with our brethren behind the Iron Curtain, for one of the arguments that the regime there advances is that the Jews themselves are not interested in Yiddishkeit and everything else connected with it and in support of this argument they cite the fact that there are many Jews who live in the so-called free countries where they could fully and easily observe the Jewish way of life, yet they do not do so. Therefore, every Jew who does adhere to the Torah and mitzvos in the daily life and does it openly and with pride and gives his children a Jewish education, and is generally active for the promotion of Yiddishkeit — all this gives the lie to the said “argument.”

I trust, therefore, that you are doing all you can to spread the light of Torah and mitzvos in your surroundings and every additional effort in this direction, both at home and in the environment at large, is a direct support for our brethren behind the Iron Curtain. There is surely no need to elaborate to you on this further.

With the approach of Shovuos, the Festival of Matan Torah, I send you and yours prayerful wishes for a joyous and inspiring Yom Tov, and the traditional blessing to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.

With blessing,