867 —תמיכה בחינוך יהודי בצפון אפריקה

B"H, 17 Teves, 5711.

Brooklyn.

Haravac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Aharon HaKohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your brother, our friend Haravac"h iy"a nu"n Meshau u'Misano b'Emunah etc. Yaakov HaKohen, has sent us your check for $100 which you sent with my knowledge, and I have divided it into four parts: Maamad (support fund), work in Africa, Lishkas Chashaim (secretariat), and Merkaz LeInyanei Chinuch (Education Center). You will receive the receipts with this letter.

Regarding Maamad, Merkaz LeInyanei Chinuch, and Lishkas Chashaim I will refrain from writing to you, as you are surely familiar with their work. I want to focus here on the new area of our work in Africa, which will surely please you to learn about.

A few weeks before the passing of my father-in-law the Rebbe hk"m, when there was discussion about the work of Merkaz LeInyanei Chinuch through the Refugee Office in Europe, my father-in-law the Rebbe hk"m said to me: Since in North Africa there is—without ayin hara—a very large Jewish community with many boys and girls (may they increase), and since poverty there is unfortunately very great, it turns out that most of them cannot receive an education. Even though they are all extremely G‑d-fearing—one must begin working there. Especially since living costs are relatively low there and with a small amount of money one can accomplish great things—not to mention that "Kol HaMekayem Nefesh Achat MiYisrael K'ilu Kiyem Olam Malei" (whoever sustains one Jewish soul is as if he sustained an entire world).

Based on these instructions from my father-in-law the Rebbe hk"m we immediately began investigating the situation in North Africa. At the beginning of summer we sent a representative there to become familiar with the situation firsthand. In mid-summer our representative traveled there and our work began—preparing the ground and organizing educational institutions suited for that country, etc. Our representative is still there and continues working regularly.

Of course, the work is greatly hindered by lack of funds—and it pains the heart even more when considering that with just a few more dollars so much more could be accomplished. For example: educating one child for a month costs around eight to nine dollars in yeshivah; one to one-and-a-half dollars in Talmud Torah. This includes expenses for a teacher, rent, and providing food once or twice a day.

Nevertheless, despite this lack of funds—and remembering my father-in-law's instructions—we have taken various loans; and as is known we already have there a teachers' seminary (to prepare teachers from local natives so children do not have language difficulties); a large yeshivah; a small yeshivah; Talmud Torah for boys; Talmud Torah for girls; evening classes for craftsmen and employees who are busy during the day. We are also negotiating opening an entire network of Talmud Torahs in 20–30 cities.

All institutions we have established there—and those we will establish with G‑d's help—carry the general name "Oholei Yosef Yitzchak Lubavitch," and at every step one sees how the work is going well with G‑d's help and how my father-in-law the Rebbe hk"m continues to lead it even now.

Surely we will all merit great merit by participating in this work and will fulfill our duty with G‑d's help.

I hope all is well by you. Please send regards to Mr. Yitzchak Shpalter (I replied to his letter some time ago), as well as your butcher Mr. Rivkin. I hope to hear good news from you.

Summary

The Rebbe highlights both practical challenges and spiritual significance in supporting Jewish education for impoverished communities in North Africa—showing how even modest contributions can make a profound impact when guided by clear purpose and communal responsibility.