Starting the school year on Chai Elul; the future of this nation is in education
[To provide additional context we provide the President’s letter to the Rebbe from an archival carbon copy]
September 25, 1981
Dear Rabbi Schneerson:
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
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
770 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11213
The letter to and from the president are printed here from the presidential archive as they were published in a recent Teshurah (Kramer, 15 Av, 5784). Additional letters to the Presidents are published there. The following three letters were also published in the above-mentioned Teshura.
[The Rebbe’s reply:]
By the Grace of G-d
Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, 5742
Brooklyn, N. Y.
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 its 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
M. Schneerson
Many letters from the Rebbe to the Presidents were concerning education.
