Igrot Kodesh · Letter 203 — Girls School Funding Crisis in Dorchester

To our friend who fears Hashem and whose accomplishments are many, Rav Y. L. HaLevi[1],

I send you greetings and blessings.

You are, at present, the only person in your city[2] whom we know. We are aware of your devotion to the purest education in your city in general, and to the schools that are under the presidency of my father-in-law, the Rebbe* Shlita,* in particular. It is for this reason that we address ourselves to you with the following request.

You are no doubt aware that last year we gave our consent to the opening of a girls' school — Beth Rivkah* or Beth Sarah — in Dorchester, under the direction of Merkaz L'Inyonei Chinuch.* We decided to rely on our friends on the ground to ensure the financing of this school so that it would be self-sustaining. We agreed to grant this school, in the form of a loan, a sum constituting part of its budget, so that the teachers could be paid on time.

The time that has now elapsed should have been sufficient to ensure financial coverage for this school. Unfortunately, we receive reports only of expenses, and we see neither income coming in nor any indication of interest in remedying this situation.

The budget of this school is not very large. Taking into account the tuition fees paid by the students, it should be easy to raise the necessary amount — especially with the help of the women's association created for this school, or by other means.

In any case, you should know that Merkaz L'Inyonei Chinuch* does not have the means to send salaries to the teachers without receiving, in return, the corresponding sum from your end.

You will surely agree that the responsibility for girls' education is of particular importance, as it is said, "The wisdom of women builds their home." You may consult, in this regard, Midrash* Shemot Rabbah,* chapter 28, according to which the giving of the Torah* was made possible through the women. The continuation of these schools and the success of the education they provide to their students depends, in large measure, on the existence of an institution that provides sound education for girls.

We would be grateful if you would, despite your many responsibilities, immediately take the necessary steps to ensure the financial coverage of this girls' school. No one but you can direct this effort, and Hashem has therefore surely entrusted you with this mission. You therefore possess the spiritual strength required to carry it out.

We await a prompt response from you and wish you all the best on the occasion of the festival of liberation[3] which is approaching.

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ב״ה בין כסא לעשור ,תש״ז
כבוד ידידינו הנעלה וו״ח אי״א חובב תורה ורודף צדקה,
העסקן והנדיב המהולל וכו׳ מו״ה גרשון שי׳ אקסלרוד,
ולדסטו ,ג׳ונרג׳י׳[.
שלום וברכה!
בשם ״מרכז לעניני חינוך״ ובשמי ,רצוני לאחל לו וכל אשר לו ,שנה
טובה ומתוקה והצלחה בכל עניניו.
הפירוש המדויק של ראש השנה הואנ ,שהוא[ הראש של השנה;
מבארים חכמינו מדוע הוא נקרא לא תחלת השנה ,אלא ראש השנה ,כי
כשם שהראש מוביל אחריו את כל הגוף ,כך ההחלטות הטובות בהתנהגות
שמתקבלות בראש השנה ,צריכות להוביל כל השנה.
וזה גם האיחול שלנו ,שבשנה החדשה כולנו נלך קדימה בהתפתחות
הרוחנית שלנו ובמילוי חובותינו ובביצוע בפועל של כל המחשבות
והתוכניות הטובות שלנו.
תקותנו שמכתב זה ימצא אותו בבריאות הטובה ביותר; מפליא אותנו
שמזה זמן כה רב לא שמענו ממנו.
בברכת חתימה וגמר חתימה טובה
הרב מנחס שניאורשאתן
יו״ר ועד הפועל
רנא
מהעתק המזכירות.
כבוד ..אקסלרוד :ראה אגרות קורש כרך ב אגרת רכה.
ראש השנה ..לא תחילת; ראה גם לעיל אגרת קצה.
45 תש״ג -תשי״ב