This past year has borne witness to tumultuous events. As we approach the holiday of Succoth/Simchat Torah, and mournfully remember the horrendous acts, the fate of Eretz Yisroel and the Middle East lies in balance. With the coming of elections in less than a month, the fate of the American nation lies in balance, as well. The Avner Institute presents a historic exchange of letters with two notable presidents highlighting the Rebbes’ involvement in government and world affairs, and America’s special role to become, in the words of Ronald Reagan, a “spiritual powerhouse.”
In loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h
“Bring relief and peace”
By the Grace of G-d
3 Shevat 5704
January 28, 1944
Honorable Franklin Delano Roosevelt
President of the United States of America
The White House, Washington D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
It gives me great pleasure to extend to you, on the occasion of your birthday, my greetings and blessings as well as those of the Jewish children under the guidance of the Central Educational Organization, the Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch.
In these crucial days for this, our beloved country, for the stricken and tortured Jewish people, and for the world at large, our Jewish children pray to the Al-mighty G-d that He guide you aright and grant you success in your noble efforts to uproot the evil forces threatening humanity, and bring relief and peace, in body and soul, to the victims of the present world conflagration.
We note with gratification that the plight of our poor, innocent Jewish brethren and the horror of their young children, facing the brutal and savage Nazi extermination squads, have found an echo in your noble heart, and that you are determined to extend them a helping and rescuing hand through the war refugee board you have recently set up.
Our hearts go out in prayer to G-d Al-mighty that He bless with success all your noble and humane endeavors, and grant you, Mrs. Roosevelt, and your children, good health, long life, and true happiness.
Very sincerely yours,
Rabbi Joseph I. Schneersohn,
President
“To save the victims of enemy oppression”
February 7, 1944
Rabbi Joseph I. Schneersohn
President, Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch
770 Eastern Parkway,
Brooklyn, NY
Dear Rabbi Schneersohn:
Your letter to President Roosevelt concerning the new War Refugee Board has been referred to this office.
The interest of your organization in the President’s new program of help to the persecuted minorities of Europe is deeply appreciated. I assure you that everything in our power will be done to see that effective action is taken to carry out the policy of this Government to save the victims of enemy oppression who are in imminent danger of death.
Very truly yours,
J.W. Pehle
Acting Executive Director
“Moral values and spiritual strength”
By the Grace of G-d
15 Iyar, 5741
(May 19, 1981)
Brooklyn, NY
President Ronald Reagan
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Greeting and Blessing:
Having just read excerpts from your address on May 17, I wish to let you know that I was both impressed and gratified to note your remarks on the role of education. I refer, particularly, to the following quotations which, though spoken in different contexts in the course of your address, are truly basic:
The noblest of man (is) molding the character of man.
. . . for America, the time has come to dare to show the world that our civilized ideas, our traditions, our values are not—like the ideology and war machine of totalitarian societies—a façade of strength. It is time the world knew that our intellectual and spiritual values are rooted in the source of real strength—a belief in a Supreme Being, a Law higher than our own.
When you, Mr. President, speak of the Nation’s intellectual and spiritual values, you are surely mindful of the fact that these values are cultivated and acquired through education, the primary function of which is the molding of character.
Moreover, you have, in effect, defined education as a national resource of the highest importance. Hence, while under the American system, public education is mainly the responsibility of state and local government, but being that the essential character and quality of education is measured not merely in terms of knowledge and technical skills, but more importantly in terms of moral values and spiritual strength—this is certainly the proper province and responsibility of the central government. Surely there is no more vital national resource than the one from which the nation must draw its spiritual strength.
We confidently look forward to the implementation of your espoused principles through the Department of Education. And, needless to say, since the matter concerns the growing generation, growing and developing day by day, time is of the essence.
With the summer recess approaching, one cannot help wondering how many juveniles could be encouraged to use their free time productively, rather than getting into mischief—if they were mindful of—to quote your words—a Supreme Being and a Law higher than man’s.
I take this opportunity to again acknowledging very gratefully your kind sentiments and good wishes.
With utmost esteem and blessing,
Cordially,
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“The birthday of two great men”
September 25, 1981
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
770 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11213
Dear Rabbi Schneersohn:
I am happy to extend belated congratulations on the beginning of the new school year on the Lubavitch movement campuses under your enlightened guidance and leadership.
It is most appropriate that September 17 was chosen as the opening of school, since this year it corresponded with the Hebrew date of “Chai Ellul,” the birthday of two great men—Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, and Rabbi Schneur Zalman, founder of Chabad-Lubavitch. These holy men have contributed immeasurably to the preservation and teaching of the Jewish tradition.
You have my best wishes as you continue your devoted efforts in the furtherance of education and, again, congratulations.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
“The future of this great Nation”
By the Grace of G-d
Between Rosh Hashana
And Yom Kippur 5742
Brooklyn, NY
President Ronald Reagan,
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Greeting and Blessing:
Thank you very much, Mr. President, for your letter of September 25 and good wishes on the occasion of the beginning of the new school year on the Lubavitch movement campuses.
As you rightly note, the Hebrew date (“Chai Ellul”) also marks “the birthday of two great men—Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, and Rabbi Schneur Zalman, founder of Chabad-Lubavitch.”
Your good wishes in our efforts in the area of education are evidence of your abiding interest in the cause of education, and an encouragement to all who are working for this cause, with which the future of this great Nation is vitally intertwined.
What made your message even more meaningful is the arrival in proximity to Rosh Hashanah, our Jewish New Year, 5742.
This also gives me the very pleasant opportunity of extending to you prayerful wishes for a “good and sweet year,” particularly a year of great achievements in your awesome responsibilities, in the fullest measure, in accord with the Will of Divine Providence that has placed you in your exalted position, and at a crucial period in American history and in world history.
With utmost esteem and with blessing,
Cordially,
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“The sword of the spirit”
March 29, 1985
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
Lubavitch
770 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11213
Dear Rebbe:
Nancy and I want to join those honoring you on your 83rd birthday on the 11th day of Nissan. Please accept our congratulations.
Your prodigious gifts of scholarship and leadership have given the Lubavitcher movement powerful impetus, to the benefit of the entire nation. Through you, the spiritual enthusiasm of Chassidism reinforces Judaism’s irreplaceable moral code and contributes to our inner strength. Without spiritual resources, all our material might is worth little. We must arm ourselves with the sword of the spirit. In your own words, this country must be a spiritual superpower.
I gladly pay tribute to the joy you have given your followers and the fine sense of pride you have instilled in them. Your work in education is impressive for the number of schools you have founded across the country, but even more impressive for infusing religious principles and civic responsibility into the lives of your disciples, young and old. Once again, this is a vital contribution to our nation, and I can only thank you.
With all my heart, I ask G-d’s blessing on you and your work.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
“An extraordinary historic role”
By the Grace of G-d
12 Nissan 5745
Brooklyn, NY
President Ronald Reagan
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Greeting and Blessing:
I am immensely impressed with your letter of March 29, 1985, and deeply appreciative of your most generous sentiments. I welcome your encouraging remarks particularly as a tribute to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which I am honored and privileged to head, and which has found such fertile soil since its Headquarters was transferred to the USA forty-five years ago, where it has thrived and developed at an unprecedented pace in its 200 years’ history.
In the name, therefore, of our movement, no less than in my personal name, I extend to you, Mr. President, and to the First Lady, a heartfelt “thank you.”
I sincerely reciprocate your good wishes in the words of our Sages: “Whoever blesses others is blessed by G-d Himself, the Source of All blessings.” May G-d continue to bestow His generous blessings on your and all yours—which includes all of us who are privileged to live in this blessed land, so generously favored with an abundance of blessings, materially and spiritually, as to giving it an extraordinary historic role to lead the world, particularly in these sadly confused times, when scientific and technological advancement has outpaced moral and spiritual advancement.
You, Mr. President, have consistently and vigorously worked to bridge the said gap, which is so necessary for the achievement of the proper balance and harmony between might and right. I believe, Mr. President, that these efforts and the notable success you have attained in this direction will surely rank among your highest historic achievements.
With prayerful wishes for your continued success in carrying out the awesome responsibilities of your most exalted Office in good health and prosperity, with joy and gladness of heart, and in all respects—“going from strength to strength” (Psalms 84:8).
Cordially and
With esteem and blessing,
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