1721 —מורים לקיץ מישיבת לוד, סטנדרטים מוסדיים, ויחסי קהילה

B"H, 21 Tammuz, 5712.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In due time I received your letters from the 29th of Sivan and the 3rd of Tammuz with their enclosures. I am returning herewith the letter from the Ministry of Education and Culture dated the 11th of Sivan that you sent me; perhaps you will need it during your work. In general, the standard procedure is that the original remains with the institution to which it was addressed, and I am sent a photocopy of the letters.

Regarding the opposition from the city of Lod: try to approach Mr. Ephraim Krasne and remind him that he visited me some time ago together with Dr. Yaakov Grifel. During our conversation about religious coercion in Eretz HaKodesh (the Holy Land), he promised me that if I would inform him of such a case, he would arrange matters so they would be in accordance with justice and fairness (even though directly this is not his department—he is in settlement at the Histadrut—but he still has influence). Since this is my first time approaching him based on his promise, I hope he will intervene and succeed. You can also approach Mr. Shazar and tell him as well that according to our conversation he will surely use his influence to correct what needs fixing.

I hope you are arranging matters so that no money is invested in temporary huts or buildings—especially since the administration of Lod Yeshiva promised to provide one hut—and certainly in some places you should work so that the local municipality provides a suitable building. In other places, with appropriate pressure, you will surely succeed with activists—certainly more than what is given to political parties; all the more so should be given to those who are religious but not party-affiliated.

I have heard that for the summer months you hired some students from Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in Lod as teachers. Surely you considered beforehand that they are suitable and successful in education and guidance. As I have written many times: institutions of the network must serve as an example and symbol for Chabad institutions' activities. This view has only strengthened after my conversation with Mr. Shazar. It is also understood that for Avrechim this is not a matter of leaving yeshiva walls to become teachers; surely this is only temporary until there is certainty regarding approval and budget for network institutions—then professional teachers can be hired, and Avrechim will return to their studies diligently and successfully.

Regarding your proposal that students of the network study at Lod Yeshiva and be brought daily to yeshiva: do not mix one matter with another. Just as Lod Yeshiva must maintain its identity as a yeshiva, so too must they preserve their own identity as Oholei Yosef Yitzchak—a network open to all, not only Temimim or children of Temimim. Extra care must be taken at first because there are certainly those watching closely looking for faults.

As for whether to request from the Minister of Education a special supervisor: do not do so without first investigating chances for success in such a request—it may still be premature; especially since after institutional approval such a demand would be more justified without risking approval by making it now after-the-fact. There is reasoning both ways but since it is a responsible step it should not be done without prior investigation.

Thank you for sending me your report on your conversation with Mr. Shazar; surely you will continue doing so promptly in future so it arrives here before his next visit.

I have learned that Rabbi Abuchatzeira published his letter about them; it is surprising you did not notify me earlier about this—please send me a copy of his letter.

The network bears the name of my revered father-in-law (the previous Rebbe), and Chassidus explains in many places how a name indicates source, channel of vitality etc.; therefore it is clear this is not a place for personal interests or side agendas etc., and it is also understood how great are both merit, responsibility, and success (and by implication...) involved here.

Blessings for success in your holy work—I await good news that peace and success rest upon you all together.

Summary

The Rebbe guides leaders on upholding institutional standards while navigating community challenges, ensuring clarity of mission, responsible staffing choices, careful advocacy with authorities, transparent communication—and always remembering their sacred responsibility.