9136 —תכנון כפר חב"ד שני, חינוך, השתלבות ומבנה קהילה

B"H, Pesach Sheni, 5726.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In connection with the reports I receive from the people of the village who inform me from time to time about your involvement regarding the second Kfar Chabad, I wish to clarify here for you more explicitly my hope and objective in this matter. Although regarding certain points I have not yet wanted to publicize my ideas externally, as an introduction: As is known, it was necessary to establish the first Kfar Chabad urgently in order to arrange for the immigrants from our former country who arrived in Eretz HaKodesh (may it be rebuilt and established), and there was no opportunity to plan the village fully and precisely. Even though it would have been proper from the outset to establish two separate villages for reasons that will be explained below, since at the beginning of immigration their numbers were not so great they were arranged in one place.

But now that their numbers have grown with G‑d's help, and we hope to the Blessed One that soon He will proclaim freedom for the prisoners and our brethren who are in distress and captivity (especially spiritual captivity) will ascend with joy to Eretz HaKodesh (may it be rebuilt and established), and our hope is also that their exodus from there will be "KiYemei Tzeischa Me'Eretz Mitzrayim" (As in the days when you left Egypt) — "Binareinu U'Vizkeineinu Bivaneinu U'Vivnoteinu" (with our youth and our elders, our sons and our daughters), it seems clear to me that a place and arrangements must be prepared for them in a planned manner. Not only for those new immigrants who have already come or are coming or are expected to come soon from there but also in a way that allows improvements in planning the existing Kfar Chabad — especially in matters that need to be in separate places.

It is understood that one of the main points here — which I believe I touched upon in one of our conversations when you were here — is that the educational institutions for girls and those for boys currently found in Kfar Chabad (and we are not speaking of a small number but several hundred thank G‑d; my hope is their number will continue increasing) should be located separately: boys in the current Kfar Chabad and girls in the second Kfar Chabad.

There is also a major issue regarding the atmosphere needed by new immigrants from there. Since they were cut off from an environment of Torah and mitzvos but observed them with self-sacrifice behind closed doors — accustomed not to emphasize their conduct openly — it will be difficult for them to change their behavior completely all at once or even within a few days or weeks. On the other hand, those raised openly in a traditional chassidic Jewish environment must be given an opportunity to continue living this way. At the same time both groups should not be too far apart since they need mutual influence on each other.

To enable full planning according to these requirements — this was my aspiration and hope in founding a second Kfar Chabad. First of all, as we discussed and as I recall, Kfar Chabad II should be distinct from the first; not adjacent but separated just enough so as only to distinguish but not divide them so they can visit each other even on Shabbos.

Secondly, Kfar Chabad II should be planned primarily for young people educated openly within a chassidic lifestyle so they can continue accordingly. Regarding educational institutions: those whose students are less protected against outside influences should be located there — meaning girls’ schools — which will anyway be easier since boys’ schools are already established with large buildings in present-day Kfar Chabad.

In my idea and plan you will certainly serve with G‑d’s help as an emissary, founder, and assistant in establishing Kfar Chabad II just as you did with Kfar Chabad I. The new village should have suitable land — distinct but not separate as above — where buildings for girls’ educational institutions will be erected. Naturally there will also be residences primarily for those connected with these institutions as well as young people educated within a chassidic environment who do not necessarily need to live under the wings of Anash elders in present-day Kfar Chabad.

On the other hand it is essential that new immigrants from our former country who were never accustomed outside their homes to regular traditional Jewish life (certainly not chassidic) nor saw such a Jewish street or environment as exists in Kfar Chabad should spend at least several weeks within its atmosphere since they need its influence most so that immediately upon arrival they enter into an established chassidic life path already existing nearly twenty years there. There they will find peers of all ages so that gradually (as our Sages say: "kama kama batel") they adapt openly without difficulties or adventures. Therefore it is most necessary and beneficial that residences and hotel accommodations for them are specifically set up within existing Kfar Chabad.

If these accommodations were instead placed within Kfar Chabad II where they would form a large group then adaptation would become more difficult with unnecessary complications easily avoided by following this approach.

This was also one reason regarding the committee of Kfar Chabad II: although I think it desirable that it remain connected with the committee of Kfar Chabad I (which can likely fit within legal frameworks), still among its own leadership most members should belong to those involved with girls’ education or native-born Israelis who do not specifically require living near mashpi’im of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim etc.

This topic could certainly be elaborated much further; here I have only addressed main points besides what is obvious since you surely do not require lengthy explanation on these matters having considered them deeply over many years.

Summary

The Rebbe details his vision for developing a second Kfar Chabad: careful separation between boys’ and girls’ education; gradual integration of new immigrants into chassidic life; community structures fostering both continuity of tradition and positive mutual influence among residents.