5406 —הדרכה על העברת בית כנסת קהילתי

B"H, 29th of Nissan, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z mo"h Tzvi Shusterman

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from Erev Shabbat Kodesh. Today, while at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal, I mentioned you, your wife, and your children for blessing.

Regarding what you wrote about your neighborhood emptying out, etc.—you should look into how others have handled similar situations in the past. Perhaps there is room to open even a small shul in the neighborhood where people are moving to and call it a branch of the current shul. The benefit is that the members will not become separated or connect with another shul. Gradually, activities can be transferred from the current shul to the new location without haste or confusion. This is sufficient for now.

Certainly you made use of Pesach as much as possible and are preparing to utilize Lag BaOmer as well—especially since this year it falls on a day when householders are free from work and youth are free from their studies, etc. This is sufficient for now.

With blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that when relocating a community shul due to demographic shifts, one should research precedents and transition gradually—maintaining unity and continuity among members rather than acting hastily or causing division.