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Azriel Zelig Slonim was a prominent figure associated with Kolel Chabad in Jerusalem, actively involved in communal affairs and the administration of charitable and educational initiatives. His correspondence with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, reflects his leadership in organizing charitable funds, Chassidus classes, and community events.
The letters from the Lubavitcher Rebbe to Azriel Zelig Slonim are warm and encouraging, addressing both communal and personal matters. The Rebbe expresses appreciation for Slonim's reports on the expansion of gemach (free-loan fund) projects under Kolel Chabad and offers detailed guidance regarding their naming, emphasizing the importance of clarity and avoiding confusion with spiritual projects such as the publication of Chabad manuscripts. The Rebbe requests that the name "Otzar Chabad" be reserved for spiritual endeavors and suggests alternative names for the charitable fund, such as "Central Gemilut Chasadim Fund of Kolel Chabad, Jerusalem."
The Rebbe also discusses the organization of public Chassidus classes, advising Slonim to coordinate with other communal leaders, including Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin and the administration of Toras Emes, to avoid overlap and ensure effective planning. The Rebbe expresses readiness to assist once a concrete plan is formulated. Additionally, he provides guidance on publicizing the gemach project and highlights the great merit of such charitable work, especially when the principal remains intact and is used repeatedly for loans.
In his letters, the Rebbe extends personal blessings to Slonim and his family, notably on the occasion of his son Moshe Shlomo's Bar Mitzvah, wishing that he be raised in the spirit of Torah, Chassidus, and good deeds. The Rebbe thanks Slonim for keeping him informed about community events, such as elections and Chassidic gatherings, and encourages continued efforts in spreading Chassidus. He addresses concerns about the cessation of support for a local Chassidus class, urging that every effort be made to prevent its discontinuation, even offering to provide support directly if necessary. The Rebbe requests further details about the establishment of new classes and the needs for teachers and books, demonstrating his active involvement in the growth of Chassidic study in Jerusalem.