8145 —גישת חב"ד לסמינרים למורים ועדיפויות מוסדיות

Shalom u'Vrachah! B"H, 6th of Teves, 5718. Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z mo"h Yitzchak Shy'.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from Motzaei Shabbat Parshat Miketz and previous ones, in which you write about the idea of a teachers' seminary: The general directive in such matters is that it is not Chabad's way to compete for the sake of competition, but rather to act for the purpose of spreading Judaism in general and especially spreading the wellsprings.

Furthermore, as with any matter in the world, resources (money, people, etc.) are limited; when some are allocated to one area, it inevitably affects another. Therefore, in a field where there are already enough involved from among those who act for the sake of Torah and mitzvot, it is not Chabad's role to push its way in. Certainly it is not our concern if the matter requires great effort both in resources and people.

It is understood that a teachers' seminary requires experts in this field for its organization. Even if there would be enough students wishing to study at such a seminary under the Chabad name, there are greater difficulties: Who will be the teachers (who must be experts in their field and likely recognized by appropriate offices—there may be a demand for certificates proving expertise)? The difficulties increase if the seminary would be located not in a large city but rather in a village or moshav.

Regarding a teachers' seminary: One of the necessary conditions is lacking—I mean that there are already teacher seminaries among those who act for Torah and mitzvot, and I do not see experts who would teach at this seminary—especially those willing to travel to Kfar Chabad. Organizing such an institution would require very significant resources. And regarding these seminaries whose influence is like 'a candle for one is a candle for a hundred,' I doubt whether the number of students would even approach one hundred or perhaps quite the opposite.

Based on all of the above, I do not understand this whole matter. It would be worthwhile to encourage all capable individuals to learn teaching skills at existing seminaries; at most—to negotiate with current seminaries among those who act for Torah and mitzvot and request improved conditions etc.

Regarding youth hostels—you did not specify what exactly you mean: its purpose, manner etc. Surely you will clarify this on another occasion.

In response to your telegram about your candidacy and that of Uri Ben Shachar regarding Sde Micha: I telegraphed today that it would be worthwhile for you to take this upon yourself [I mainly mean—for the initial period until things are organized as needed; i.e., until the end of the school year. Surely you can arrange things so that it will not interfere at all with preparations regarding camp as well as other general matters of Reshet that you have begun working on]. The reason is that based on my conversation with Mr. Levanon regarding expanding Reshet's building in Jaffa as required, it is not advisable now to introduce changes at the school there so as not to give any pretext for delaying promises etc.

Another reason—and this is primary—is my strong hope based on how I have come to know you here: You will work on Sde Micha with all necessary energy and succeed in establishing it properly. There is room to say that how this institution is established will affect relations with relevant offices—and this should be clear.

Blessings for success in your holy work and looking forward to good news regarding all of the above.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Chabad should focus its efforts where they are most needed rather than duplicating existing institutions. Resources should be used wisely by supporting capable individuals within established frameworks instead of creating parallel structures without clear necessity.