By the Grace of G-d
4 Elul 5711
Brooklyn 13, N.Y.
To the President and Officers
Congregation Ahavas Achim Lubavitch
Sholom u'Brocho:
I was deeply disturbed to hear that there are individuals in your congregation who are inclined to introduce a new order in your synagogue to permit men and women worshippers to sit there without a partition.
Although I do not know them, I take the liberty to write to you, because we all hold so dear the name of “Lubavitch,” and, in general, a Shul where Jews pour out their hearts in prayer to the Almighty, for health and sustenance, for themselves and their children.
Since the worshipper prays for G-d's blessings as he wants them to be, good and generous in every detail, it is obvious that every effort should be made to bring the place of worship, even in its outer aspects, as close as possible to the way G-d wants it to be, and no infringement whatever should be allowed to mar the sanctity of the place.
It is surely superfluous to enlarge upon the fact that from olden days, throughout the generations, wherever Jews gathered to pray, men and women prayed separately. Anyone recalling his parents and ancestors, pious and devoted as they were to our sacred traditions, can have no doubt as to what their feelings in this matter would be.
These sentiments are even more profound in the case of a Shul connected with the glorious traditions of the Lubavitcher Rabbis, known for their self-sacrificing work to preserve the sacred traditions among Jews in general, and among their followers in particular. In a congregation bearing the noble name of "Lubavitch," a Shul without a Mechitza (partition) is completely unthinkable.
My father-in-law, of sainted memory, often quoted the Old Rabbi, founder of Lubavitch, that a Jew neither desires nor is capable of being separated from G-dliness. Especially in these days of repentance and Divine benevolence, when every Jew feels the inspiration and urge to come closest to G-d, I trust and pray that every member of your congregation, and especially officer and trustee, will use his influence to reject any idea of doing away with the Mechitza.
In the merit of this the Almighty will accept your prayers, and all the worshippers and officers will be inscribed unto a healthy and happy New Year.
I am looking forward to hearing from you that the matter of the Mechitza has been properly taken care of, and thank you for informing me of same.
Wishing you a Kesivo Vachasimo Toivo,
Cordially yours,
P.S. I have sent identical letters to several leading members of your congregation. However, I wish to emphasize that each one individually bears the responsibility – as though he were alone – that your Shul justifies its noble name.
