By the Grace of G-d
Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av 5733
Brooklyn, NY
Mr. I. I. Stone
The Jacob Sapirstein Foundation
10500 American Road
Cleveland, Ohio
Greeting and Blessing:
After not hearing from you for some time—though I have been receiving indirect regards through mutual friends—I was pleased to receive your letter of July 25th. I hasten to reply, because of the obvious importance of the subject matter, which has to do with the problem of how best and most effectively to distribute funds from your Foundation to further Torah-true Jewish education, and you ask for advice and guidance on the matter.
Permit me, therefore, first of all, to point out some of the pitfalls which have hampered such highly desired objectives on the part of similar foundations. The avoidance of these pitfalls is the first step in meeting the urgent needs.
It has often happened, unfortunately, in various areas of philanthropy, that before actual distribution of funds is commenced, a preliminary and lengthy research or study program is initiated. While this approach is generally motivated by a desire to distribute funds most effectively, and may be commendable theoretically, the net result has all too often been to delay actual distribution of funds urgently needed immediately, quite apart from the fact that substantial funds have been thus diverted from their main purpose...
A further point, which is also mentioned in your letter, is the prevalent policy of foundations not to touch the principal at any time, but to make distributions from income only. This policy, too, may be commendable in normal times, but in times of emergency such as now exists, I believe that a more flexible policy is clearly called for. Obviously, however substantial the income may be, it is only a fraction of the actual reserve; and where there is a case of “life-saving,” some of the reserves should also be brought into play.
I repeat, I fully appreciate that both guiding principles mentioned above, with which I take issue, and unquestionably businesslike and well-intentioned. But they are sound only in normal times.
The reality of the situation is, however, that we live in abnormal times, and the abnormality of the situation has two facets, one negative and one positive.
On the negative side, we see to our deep sorrow and dismay how a large and growing segment of our Jewish youth is utterly confused and alienated to such an extent that it is being written off in some quarters as a lost cause, G-d forbid. Such a view is, of course, quite at variance with the Torah view, unequivocally expressed by our Sages of the Mishnah: “All Jews have a share in the World to Come, as it is written, ‘but all your people are righteous . . . the work of My Hands.’” In other words, the eternal destiny of each and every Jew is assured by G-d Himself, regardless of the present state in which the individual may be.
Fortunately, just as Divine Providence is in evidence in everything, it is evidenced also in the fact the negative side of the situation is compensated by the positive side of it. It is, that never before has there been a greater, more eager and honest desire on the part of our younger generation to search for the truth, a desired matched by a determination and readiness to accept challenge and re-order the daily life accordingly—so long as they are convinced that they have found the truth.
The combination of the said two factors, the negative and the positive, makes it even more compelling to render the needed help immediately, without delay and in the maximum measure. There are numerous borderline cases, where it is a matter of touch or go, where every minute is of the essence: Reach out to them—and you save them; let go—and they may drift away beyond reach...
The above may seem a lengthy preface to my answer to your letter, but not too lengthy considering the vital import of the subject.
If you have in mind some kind of agency or program involving contingent investigative or coordinative functions—then I have already expressed my view on it above. I rather hope, however, that you would consider, instead, beginning at once with direct allocations to Torah-true institutions and chinuch organizations which meet the qualifications you have set before you. I would also suggest, moreover, that in the next few years at any rate, some funds from the capital should augment the distribution from the income.
