By the Grace of G-d
5th of Iyar, 5721
Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Newman Family
21 Supple Road
Roxbury, Mass.
Greeting and Blessing:
I was pleased to receive your letter of Rosh Chodesh Iyar, in which you write your experience of a "chance" meeting with a Jewish girl, and the far-reaching results that it has led to in bringing her closer to her Jewish heritage. It is gratifying to note that you did not fail to see in this the intervention of the Divine Providence which extends to each and everyone individually. You will also be encouraged to see how every Jewish person, no matter how far estranged from the Jewish sources, is yet sensitive and responsive to the proper influence. I hope this will encourage you in your good work to exercise your utmost influence in this direction.
As we are now in the days of Sefirah, it is well to bear in mind that these days also emphasize the above lesson in regard to the great Sage, Rabbi Akiba and his disciples. For you surely know the story of Rabbi Akiba, who had 24,000 students, all of whom, unfortunately, died during the period of Sefirah, and, as our Sages relate, "The world was desolate." However, subsequently, Rabbi Akiba had five students, and these five individuals laid the foundation for the whole future of the Mishna and Talmud, and thus ensured the survival of our people. This story which our Sages recorded for a purpose, namely, that we should learn something from it in our own daily life, emphasizes the importance of every individual in the survival of our heritage, for no one can tell whether the particular individual Jewish child, boy or girl, may be one of such five students as Rabbi Akiba had.
Your experience should also serve as a complete rebuttal of those who oppose or are indifferent to such work as the Release Hour, minimizing the effect that one hour a week can have on a child, and at the same time making all sorts of false calculations to discourage making contact with Jewish children, for the sole effect of such an attitude is simply to deprive Jewish children from the only opportunity they may have to make contact with Jewish life.
May G-d bless you in your good work and influence, and may you go from strength to strength. Hoping to hear good news from you always,
With blessing,
M. Schneerson
