April 24, 1944
T/S Sam Shanker 3745215
317th Sta. Hosp. A. P. 0. 813
℅ Postmaster, New York 1, N.Y.
Dear Sgt Shanker:
We are in receipt of your letter in which you write regarding the members of the 317th Station Hospital.
May we congratulate you on your efforts to keep the spirit of traditional Judaism alive wherever you may be.
As for Kosher food for the boys of your company our suggestion is that you write to the Agudath Israel organization of Great Britain, 53 Queens Drive, London, England. They have opened a "Torah canteen" there and, as their New York office informed us, they handle the Kosher food problem for all soldiers of all nations stationed in the entire British Isles. We are writing to them also about your group.
We have delivered the regards to your father-in-law as per your request.
Reminding you again that we stand ready to aid the Jewish serviceman to the best of our ability and hoping that we may soon see you and your buddies home sound in body and in mind with a complete victory for all the united nations, fulfilling the words of the prophet "as in the days of your Exodus from the Land of Egypt (in this month of Nissan), I will show you wonders." , we remain yours with Torah greetings,
Rabbi Mendel Schneerson
Chairman, Executive Committee
Notes and sources
The above letter is sourced from a secretarial carbon copy bearing archival markings in the Rebbe’s handwriting. The letter was sent on the letterhead of Machne Israel.
1) Micha 7:15.
Source: Secretarial Carbon Copy
Published: Rebbe Responsa Exclusive
Aid for Soldiers in Britain (2)