8 Visiting the Settlers

An American Mayor’s impression of visiting the dedicated settlers in Chabad’s village in the Holy Land

Your letter of December 2nd reached me with some delay. I want you to know that I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending me a report of your visit in Kfar Chabad.⁹

I was especially gratified to note from your letter that although your visit at Kfar Chabad was necessarily limited, you were quick to sense the inner aspects of the Kfar Chabad, which is also the secret of its success, namely, the dedication of the settlers to the fulfillment of their task. It was also gratifying to read that you were very much impressed with the high ideals of the villagers and their intense dedication to the various and colorful educational institutions in the village, in which hundreds of youngsters from various parts of the world are educated and trained to take their rightful place among our Jewish people.¹⁰

It is one of the fundamental characteristics of Kfar Chabad that the work of integrating youngsters from different backgrounds is carried on in a spirit of true love and brotherhood. Considering the limited financial means at the disposal of the Kfar Chabad, the progress and accomplishment are all the more remarkable.

I sincerely regret the fact that we could not meet personally when you passed through New York. I hope that before long our distinguished Rabbi S.A. Kazarnovsky, the honorary American representative of the Vocational Schools of Kfar Chabad will visit Nashville and have an opportunity to convey to you my personal regards and good wishes.

As we are now in the auspicious days of Chanukah, which Jews observe, among other things, by kindling the Chanukah lights in growing numbers, may the Almighty send you and yours a growing measure of light and happiness, materially and spiritually, as well as a growing measure of success in your work for the Jewish community of Nashville and that of the City at large.

Source: Carbon copy.

⁹ Kfar Chabad is a Chabad village near Lod, founded in 1949 by Chassidim who had left the Soviet Union, at the initiative of the Rebbe Rayatz.

¹⁰ See also English letter dated 6 Elul 5723, on the Rebbe Responsa app. Explore More: See also the Rebbe’s letter to New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay, following his visit to Kfar Chabad, dated 10 Kislev 5733, on the Rebbe Responsa app. The Rebbe encouraged many people to visit Kfar Chabad and Chabad institutions on their visits to the Holy Land. See, for example, the English letters dated 13 Nissan, 5720, 11 Menachem Av, 5720 (Chabad institutions), and 22 Adar Sheni, 5730, on the Rebbe Responsa app; Igros Kodesh, vol. 29, letter 9622; et al. See also English letters dated 6 Elul 5723, 18 Shevat 5725, [Before Parshas Kedoshim,] 5725, 8 Tishrei 5726, and 17 Shevat 5726, on the Rebbe Responsa app. The Rebbe also encouraged Kfar Chabad to open facilities to attract tourists. See Likkut Maanos Kodesh, 5734, no. 114; Teshurah Futerfas (3 Sivan, 5771), p. 25.