3478 —ריכוז פעולות וקריאת שמות מוסדות כראוי

B"H, 13 Iyar, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I am somewhat surprised by the pause in your letters regarding your continued good activities. Surely you made use of the month of Nissan, about which our Sages say (Berachos 57a) that many miracles occurred in it, for spreading the wellsprings outward as well as for guidance and conduct according to the teachings of Chassidus. Certainly you will fulfill this at the earliest opportunity.

Regarding what you wrote about the Evening Yeshivah: I hope that surely Reb Shmuel Menachem Mendel Schneersohn conveyed to you the content of my letter to him, which also addressed this question. Out of respect and love for order, I will repeat it here: It is not beneficial for your holy work to excessively split up matters and assign each project its own name and separate administration. Although there is some benefit in this due to healthy competition, and a person heading a private project feels greater responsibility, nevertheless, the loss outweighs the gain. Many matters that are like "a candle for one is a candle for a hundred" waste resources by duplicating them. The execution is also less effective because not all details are known from one person to another, and each thing has its own administration, etc.

Therefore, my suggestion is that as soon as possible you should hold a meeting with all those active in their respective fields. Without diminishing anyone's stature or honor, centralize matters so there will be complete coordination among the various departments. This will result in more workers and greater activities while reducing expenses—whether effort, time, or even money. As I have written previously and as it says "uTeshuah b'Rov Yoetz" (salvation comes with much counsel), it is very appropriate that elders of Anash in Jerusalem participate in this meeting—especially those who have been consulted until now and thus know how things are run—headed by Reb Azriel Zelig Slonim.

I will also repeat here: For several reasons, the name Oholei Yosef Yitzchak—even omitting "Oholei"—should only be used in Eretz HaKodesh for network institutions (the Reshet). Therefore, your institution should simply be called "Evening Yeshivah associated with...", but not by that name. I must express my general wonder at how this name was taken and assigned to a specific institution without prior consultation on such an important matter. This is the name of our Nasi—the leader of Israel—and assigning such a name carries great responsibility. Who can presume to make such a decision privately without public knowledge or input from those not involved? Even if one is sure it will bring sanctification of G‑d's Name and no harm, observers do not ask who decided on the name or whether it was agreed upon by many; sometimes they judge based on the institution bearing this name. There is no need to elaborate further; surely you will correct this appropriately.

It goes without saying—and needs no elaboration—that none of what I wrote above is intended to lower spirits or G‑d forbid cause discouragement; certainly there is no element of rebuke here. On the contrary: On one hand I am pleased that education according to Torah purity excites you so much; on the other hand—and especially nowadays—things must be organized and refined as much as possible from the very beginning of any undertaking. Therefore my strong hope is that you will continue this project with even greater energy; if there are details needing correction through addition or even reduction or elimination, let that be done too—for this will only increase enthusiasm and success.

I await good news and bless you with success in spreading the wellsprings outward—success beyond nature.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that centralizing communal work increases effectiveness while reducing wasted effort and resources. He stresses careful consideration before naming institutions after revered figures, urging broad consultation so names reflect communal consensus rather than individual decision.