Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4939 — Tzedakah

B"H

15 Kislev* 5717

Brooklyn, New York

To the committee for the dinner of the women's division of Bensonhurst,

Mesdames Henry Nasharn, Ella R. Kremer, and C. Surtashin, may Hashem grant you long life,

Blessings and greetings,

You have informed me that you are organizing a dinner on the occasion of your twentieth anniversary and in honor of your dear president, the Rebbetzin Freida Kazarnovski.

I therefore extend my greetings and blessing to your dear president, to the dinner committee, to all members of the women's division, as well as to all the friends and participants in this event.

Your dinner will take place on the 23rd of Kislev*, between the luminous day of Yud-Tes Kislev* (see note 1) and Chanukah*. I hope that this event will be distinguished by its manifold accomplishments and that it will exceed the goals assigned to it and that are expected.

You know what our Sages say about Chanukah*. This festival is connected to courageous Jewish women who, in that era, gave of themselves despite all the difficulties and decrees imposed upon them. Our Sages therefore state that "they were an integral part of the miracle." Moreover, the miracle came about through their agency.

It is also known that every year, when this period returns, the time is particularly propitious for all accomplishments connected to Torah* and mitzvos*, in accordance with the text of the blessing (see note 2): "Who performed miracles for our ancestors, in those days, at this time."

In the expression of my father-in-law (see note 3), the Rebbe, whose merit protects us, founder of the yeshivah* that you have the merit of representing, "one must listen to the story told by the Chanukah* lights." May Hashem grant you the success of hearing them, of listening attentively, and of putting all of this concretely into practice.

With blessing for success in your sacred mission and in your personal concerns,