1556 —נוכחות בבית הספר, מיקום הספריה, וחינוך בנות במכנז

B"H, 10 Iyar 5712.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Osek b'tzt"z b'emunah Moreinu HaRav Michael Lipsker

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In continuation to my previous letter, I am hereby addressing the following questions:

a) Has the exemption for students from attending school on Shabbat been established in Guersif? It is understood that effort must be made in this matter, since weakness in one place can weaken the issue elsewhere as well.

b) What is being done regarding the library? The idea to have it in the city council building has merit since it would allow entry there; however, it is more necessary for it to be located somewhere associated with Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak so that this too becomes part of Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak's activities and publicizes their work. This way, one can hope that local residents will draw closer and more students will be attracted. In general, the goal should be that the yeshivah specifically—and Ohalei Yosef Yitzchak as a whole—should not only be educational institutions and nothing more but also places from which strengthening all aspects of Judaism spreads throughout their area and surroundings. Of course, all this must be done diplomatically.

c) I am interested to know whether you have already received the English books you wrote about some time ago, and whether there is room for these books also to be in the library or if this might cause some laxity or inclination toward studies not within our framework…

e) Regarding your question about the blank forms: you should also add information about girls’ schools. As for your question whether to print here as well: due to changes in attitude in your country regarding relations with other countries and differing opinions on this matter, I am somewhat concerned about printing it regularly until the situation becomes clearer. However, you may make a stamp or print notes stating that my correspondence is included etc., and attach such a note to letters where you think it necessary.

f) Regarding your question about expenses for the mikveh etc., since there was no agreement from the office on this (the Refugee Office in Europe), because of orderliness which my revered father-in-law worked so hard on—any matter not included in the work plan requires deliberation by several people rather than a single person. Therefore, even assistance for building or repairing a mikveh that does not directly fall under our work but only indirectly (as mentioned above regarding Lubavitch institutions needing to have recognizable influence on all matters of fear of Heaven wherever they are), ultimately it was worthwhile that this expense occurred. Still, to avoid confusion in procedures it would have been necessary to notify beforehand either the office or here before deciding; but since what’s done is done and surely you have already included this sum among expenses approved by the office.

g) In one of your letters you mention transferring “the talks” to French. If possible—especially as you wrote in one letter that it does not involve expenses or only minimal ones—it is worthwhile to look into this further, provided there is a responsible person to check the translation. Also if possible send here the sheets for review after typesetting but before printing so corrections can still be made if errors are found. If this comes into effect, it should be done using talks from previous years so that each issue appears in its appropriate month—that is, take an issue from two years prior corresponding to two months ahead of its time so that it will appear at its proper time.

h) Regarding your question whether it is advisable to establish a girls’ school in Meknes: certainly this is correct—not only in Meknes but also elsewhere—and especially ensuring they are not together with boys; meaning not only should they not study in one room but also should not even enter or exit through one gate or door. Ideally if possible they should even be in separate buildings and streets because extra care in such matters—the more there is, the better…

With blessings for success in your work.

Summary

The Rebbe guides on maintaining strong Jewish education standards—ensuring Shabbat observance at schools, situating libraries within Jewish institutions for greater influence, careful handling of communal funds and publications amid political sensitivities, and prioritizing separate girls’ education facilities wherever possible.