By the Grace of G-d 8th of Teveth, 5714 Brooklyn, N.Y.
Rabbi Dr. Leo Jung
131 W. 86th Street
New York, N.Y.
My dear Rabbi Jung:
I was gratified, in the first place, to hear that despite your many burdens you consented to let your nomination stand for membership on the Committee of Experts on Cultural Affairs of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany,1 and now I am even more pleased to learn that you have been elected to this responsible office.2
In accordance with the doctrine of the Baal Shem Tov on Hashgocho protis, especially in a case of this kind, I am pleased that I was instrumental in your acceptance of this office.
Inasmuch as ’G-d does not deal despotically with His creatures,’3 I am sure he will bestow upon you not only the necessary strength to cope with your added responsibility, but He will give you an extra measure of physical and spiritual strength to serve with boldness and determination the interests of orthodox Jewry in general, of the Torah institutions in particular.
I take this opportunity to send you, under separate cover, a copy of our recently reprinted ‘Tanya’ – its first publication in the New World – to which I have added some supplementary material, indices, etc.
With warmest regards and best wishes,
Cordially yours,
M. Schneerson
Notes and sources
Rabbi Dr. Leo (Eliyahu) Jung (5652–5748) was a rabbi, scholar, and JDC leader. He maintained a close relationship with the Rebbe, corresponding frequently on matters of Jewish education and communal support. As Chairman of the JDC’s Cultural Committee, he collaborated with Chabad in strengthening Jewish life, particularly in North Africa and Iran. For more information and additional letters addressed to him, see letter dated 27 Iyar, 5713.
1) Also known as the Claims Conference. The organization represents Jews in negotiations for compensation and restitution for property stolen from Jews by Nazi Germany. Since most claims are on behalf of victims who perished in the Holocaust without leaving heirs, a large portion of the restitution has gone toward rehabilitating Jewish life.
2) In a letter to the Rebbe's brother-in-law, Rabbi Shmaryahu Gurary (Rashag), Dr. Moses Leavitt (Vice-Chairman of the JDC) wrote (December 3, 1953) “I have spoken to Dr. Nahum Goldmann about Rabbi Leo Jung . . I feel very confident that Dr. Jung will be appointed to the Cultural Committee . . I appreciate very much Rabbi Schneersohn's appeal to me and I wish you would assure him that I will do all in my power to be of help.” Similarly, Dr. Nahum Goldman (President of the Claims Conference) wrote to Rabbi Gurary (December 4, 1953) “I have received your telegram and will put your proposals before the Committee which has to deal with the nominations for the Cultural Committee.“
3) Avodah Zara 3a.
Source: Photocopy of the original.
Published: Rebbe Responsa exclusive.