8322 —סיוע דתי לעולים חדשים וקליטת נוער בארץ ישראל

B"H, 3rd of Shevat, 5722.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I take the liberty to bring to your attention several pressing points which, although I am sure you are aware of them, since I have not heard that anything has been done about them, it is my duty to highlight their great importance:

(a) In recent months [...] as is known, thousands of families of new immigrants have arrived in our holy land, may it be rebuilt and established by our righteous Moshiach speedily in our days. Even though there may be among them those who came from countries where not all Jews were Torah observant without exception, certainly among these new immigrants there is a significant number who do observe Torah and mitzvos. More importantly, from the perspective of our Torah of life: regardless of how a Jew behaved in the past, each day he is given the Torah and its mitzvos anew and is obligated to accept them (and if previously his conduct was not proper, he has an additional special mitzvah—the practical mitzvah of teshuvah). When such new immigrants arrive, they are usually settled in new communities established for them. This brings them into contact for a certain period with representatives from agencies involved in settlement and absorption. As is human nature, first impressions are most powerful—especially when connected with assistance in settling and guidance in agriculture or industry. According to the information I have received so far, unfortunately in most cases those who greet the immigrants at the port or airport—and their guides and supervisors—are almost all not Torah observant. This is immediately apparent at first meeting by their conduct—even if they do not intend to emphasize their lack of religiosity; especially since some among them want to emphasize this point; all the more so when some wish to exploit the situation to distance immigrants from Torah and mitzvos. Naturally, after these immigrants fall under such influence it becomes difficult later to find ways to bring them back or draw them closer to Hashem and His Torah—for it is known: "A transgression repeated becomes permitted in his eyes," even if only repeated once; how much more so if several times. All this applies with full force even if we were speaking about a single Jewish soul; how much more so when we are dealing with thousands of families—and apparently thousands more are expected soon. Therefore urgent and necessary measures must be taken immediately to correct this situation as much as possible.

Ideally there should be religious representatives at concentration points abroad and on the ships themselves; but even if this is impossible, it is absolutely essential in my opinion that religious representatives at least meet the immigrants at the airport or port—and also remain with them for some time at their place of settlement. Even regarding those who arrived recently and already fell into this situation—it is certainly possible to improve matters significantly even if not completely rectify them.

Of course I am aware that the main question will be manpower—to find suitable people to greet and support these immigrants—and perhaps also funding issues will arise. But there is hope that once action begins both will be found more than initially expected. Even for a doubt one must act—all the more so when there is no doubt that much can be accomplished.

I am not here proposing specific methods—whether by raising questions in Knesset or other official means (which might stir up controversy but also mobilize public opinion and volunteers), or unofficially (though even then it will not remain secret as those seeking agitation will publicize it—then those concerned with religion will be at a disadvantage). In such matters—as our Sages say—a judge has only what his eyes see according to his place and time.

Note: Since every matter has advantages and disadvantages—in relation to this immigration wave specifically because not all are reportedly Torah observant—the necessity for meeting them as described above is even greater; if they were all observant one could expect demands from them for religious needs—but as things stand unless something begins from their very first arrival no such awakening will come from their side.

(b) The urgency increases since part of these immigrants settle in new regions—even when near a religious kibbutz or large city there must still be close contact with the new community especially at first; how much more so when settling entirely new areas designed for complete independence without connection to existing settlements—the leaders being understandably from the ruling party—in such conditions these new immigrants are completely isolated with all contact only through non-religious representatives; consequences are obvious—no need for elaboration.

Our Sages said: "Everything depends on mazal." When just a few hundred children were involved there was protest and uproar—with real results; now regarding thousands of families—not even an echo is heard nor apparent action.

(c) Continuing from above regarding youth absorption within Aliyat HaNoar—even children younger than that—the issue is not only ensuring they receive religious education but also having enough absorption centers. The problem isn't so much food/lodging/education expenses since existing centers are already near capacity; rather it's about building new facilities—dormitories and centers—which requires much greater funding than regular supplies.

On the other hand government budgets (and agency budgets) already allocate significant sums for housing/absorption—which must happen anyway. Therefore now is an opportune time to systematically demand that part of housing funds go toward youth dormitories—including younger children whose circumstances prevent living with parents (due to family situation or parents still abroad or large family size etc.). The claim that dormitories count as housing is valid: what difference between housing an entire family versus part? In fact it's preferable! In my view this demand must be raised urgently because once housing budgets are divided among ministries negotiations become necessary—whereas beforehand only general opposition exists (which will likely arise anyway since others will suspect motives behind this demand).

Reminder: See also below letters chesh-kuf-gimmel [8:323], chesh-pei-gimmel [8:383], ches-tav-mem-vav [8:446]. Daily: see Sefer HaSichos 5752 vol II p332 etc.; general principle: Yoma 86b etc.; style of our Sages: Bava Basra 131a etc.; "Our Sages said": Zohar III 134a etc.

Summary

The Rebbe emphasizes proactive steps for supporting new immigrants' religious needs upon arrival in Eretz Yisrael—especially youth—highlighting both spiritual risks from secular influences and practical solutions like allocating resources for religious infrastructure early on.