When 100 Chassidim sat in the Palestinian Office in Paris * The condition of moving to Israel is: Place us in a Chassidishe Kibbutz * The Rashag’s trip to Israel to visit the refugees * The beginning of the Chabad Yeshiva in Lud * “These Lubavitchers are known as fanatic” * “They work with devotion and … honesty” * “A very favorable report was received” about the Chabad Yeshiva * Pirsum Rishon: The Frierdiker Rebbe’s letter to the JDC regarding Kfar Chabad * The Refugees’ Story – Eighth Installment
Immediately after the end of World War II, Chabad Chassidim in Israel petitioned the Frierdiker Rebbe to agree to the establishment of a Chabad village in Israel, and in 1949 the Frierdiker Rebbe agreed for Chassidim to move to Israel, and so began an exodus from France to Israel.
This installment presents the story of the Chabad refugees who were temporarily in France and were resettled in Israel thanks to the help of the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and the story of the Rashag’s trip to Israel to see how the refugees are acclimating themselves to their new homes.
Pirsum Rishon: This installment also includes a letter from the Frierdiker Rebbe to the JDC office in New York discussing the financial needs of the new “Kfar Chabad” settlement in Israel.
These fascinating documents are part of the JDC Archives (which were digitized and uploaded online, thanks to a grant from Dr. Georgette Bennett and Dr. Leonard Polonsky CBE).
The Frierdiker Rebbe’s Long-Awaited Approval
In a letter dated March 1, 1949 [Shvat 30, 5709] Mr. Leonard Seidenman [JDC – Paris] writes to Mr. Robert Pilpel [JDC – New York] regarding the emigration of the Chabad Chassidim from France to Israel:
In reply to your letter of February 24th, please be advised that the story which you cite from the “Jewish Daily Forward” concerning the departure of a group of Lubavitcher Yeshiva Bochurim was correct…
For some time Rabbi Schneerson, whose advice had always been requested concerning movement to Israel, had consistently asked his people to wait. Quite recently, in reply to a letter from one of his people here, he replied that he felt that now was the time to go. Immediately this first group of over 100 went and sat in the Palestinian Office until they were all registered. They set only one condition on their emigration and that was that when they were sent to Kibutsim, that they be Chassidisher Kibutsim, and this kind of arrangement was made for them. At the present time over 200 are registered of which 60 will leave after Purim, and then we are expecting a large group to leave after the Passover holidays. There is still a large group that hopes to get to America, but it will appear that this recent statement from Rabbi Schneerson will cause 60% of the entire group to move on.
The present population of the Lubavitcher Group is 598…
The Rashag’s Trip to Israel
It was only a few months after the wave of Chabad refugees arrived in Israel, and their resettlement was fraught with difficulties, so the Rashag planned a visit to Israel to inspect the situation and figure out a solution.
On April 25, 1949 [Nissan 26, 5709] Mr. Moses Leavitt (JDC – New York) presented the Rashag with a “Recommendation Letter,” addressed to the Head of the JDC offices in Israel, Mr. Harry Viteles, to ensure he receives assistance during his visit:
Dear Harry,
This will introduce to you Rabbi S.Gourary, the son-in-law of the world famous Lubavitcher Rabbi Schneersohn.
Rabbi Gourary is visiting Israel with the problem of many of his people who have arrived there.
We have always had a very friendly and close relationship with Rabbi Gourary and I feel sure you will be glad to extend to him all courtesies that are in your power.
The Yeshiva for Russian Immigrants
While in Israel the Rashag worked tirelessly towards the betterment of the refugees, and one of his projects was to ensure the Chabad Yeshiva in Lud, which was called “Yeshivas Olei Russia,” should be supported by the JDC. To assist him in this venture, the Yeshiva crafted a letter to the JDC, describing the Yeshiva and asking for financial assistance. This letter was written on May 17, 1949 [Iyar 18, 5709] to the JDC offices in Jerusalem [Translated from Hebrew]:
Honorable Sir,
In accordance with our letter dated the 6th of Iyar, in which we have notified you that two months before the holiday of Passover we have established in Lud, Israel, a Yeshiva and a Cheder for the children of Russian refugees and for the teenagers who have arrived in Israel, for our schools in Tel Aviv have not the capacity to accommodate them.
The referenced Yeshiva which was established by the Roshei Yeshivos and directors of our Yeshiva in Tel Aviv currently counts with 40 students, and we expect that with time the number will grow tenfold, for the number of immigrants to Israel is growing.
The income for our Yeshiva (a Yeshiva which grows every day) is almost nil when compared to our many expenses which are needed for its upkeep, and constantly grow, such as a salary to teachers, Mashgichim and directors; feeding them, our students and some of our workers; providing accommodations and other needs (as described in the attached memo).
The directorate of our Yeshiva respectfully asks your honor to consider our current request and be a helping hand to our young Yeshiva, to assist and strengthen the institutions with financial support for the maintenance of the Yeshiva in general, and more specifically for feeding our students, to provide our kitchen with foodstuffs and equipment, for our institution is young and needs support in every department.
We give our deep heartfelt thanks to you, in our name and in the name of the children and teenagers studying in our Yeshiva.
JDC: We Need More Information
In a letter dated May 22, 1949 (Iyar 21, 5709) Mr. Harry Viteles (JDC – Israel) writes to Mr. Moses Leavitt (JDC – New York) describing a phone call with Rashag about his various requests, including the request for financial assistance to the Yeshiva:
…Rabbi Gourary called today. He had three requests:
… 3. One of their Yeshivoth had recently arrived and established itself in Lydda. They apply to the JDC for assistance.
I replied that the application would be investigated and a report submitted either to the Cultural Committee, New York, or to the Cultural Committee for Israel, whichever will be quicker.
1949: The Life in the Yeshiva
During the months that passed, the JDC office in Israel reviewed the application and then presented a detailed report about the Yeshiva, recommending that sizeable monetary support be provided to the Yeshiva:
Part of the Lubavitch Chassidim from Russia managed to escape and smuggle across boundaries and immigrate to Israel. These “Lubavitchers” are known as fanatic to the Torah already in Russia and many of them were jailed for supporting and disseminating Torah among the Jews.
Several dozen families of Lubavitcher immigrants from Russia settled in Lud and immediately opened a Yeshiva for their children and for orphans whose parents are still in the immigrant camps of the Jewish Agency.
They received a building for the Yeshiva which needs some repairs, which houses the classrooms, sleeping rooms, the kitchen and dining room.
The Rosh Yeshiva is Rabbi Melech Kaplan who was teaching Torah to Lubavitch children even in Russia, and sat in jail for this “sin”. The director of the Yeshiva is Rabbi Zusha Wilmovsky, he is busy day and night in collecting funds, and he comes only once or twice to the Yeshiva.
The institution consists of two parts: a Talmud Torah and a Yeshiva. The Talmud Torah has two classes, each with its own teacher (a student of the Lubavitch Yeshiva “Achei Tmimim” in Tel Aviv) who teaches them Torah, Rashi, and to the second grade also Talmud. An hour and a half a day they learn the subjects: Hebrew, Nach and math by local Haredi teacher, who receives his payment from the government.
The children are barefoot and almost naked; they speak Yiddish and Russian and have learned to certain extent the Hebrew language.
These students do not receive any support from the “Youth Aliyah” because the institution still has not been recognized by the “Youth Aliyah”.
The Yeshiva has only one “Shiur” (class) and Rabbi Melech Kaplan teaches them every day apart from an hour and a half that they study Hebrew lessons, Nach and math by the local teacher.
30 students eat inside the institution, and 20 sleep in the institution (10 eat lunch only) …
We cannot say that the cleanliness and the diet are satisfactory. Three times a day students are given meals that I cannot believe it satisfies the students. The sleeping rooms are not outstanding in their beauty and cleanliness. Furniture is absolutely insufficient. The kitchen is not equipped with the necessary tools. Close to forty students study in the Yeshiva: over 20 in the Talmud Torah and nearly twenty in the Yeshiva. All the students are children of refugees whose fathers are either still in camps or have arrived already but didn’t settle yet. A substantial number of the students are orphans without a father and without a mother. Their faces show suffering and poverty.
The Yeshiva building has 12 rooms and two stores and the building needed many repairs. Rent is IL 93.60 per year.
It is appropriate to note the full dedication of the Rosh Yeshiva (who has a family of 7 persons) and the director, both whom live in extreme poverty (The Rosh Yeshiva received only IL 80 for four-five months) and their sole priority is to establish the institution, and to the institution they give their lives.
There is no doubt that the studies (especially the Talmud Torah) and the Seder in Yeshiva needs many changes, but at the same time we should give this Yeshiva considerable support, for both the directors and the students are in an extreme situation.
In the Yeshiva they learn in Yiddish and spirit of the Lubavitcher community is in all walks of life.
According to their budget expenditures are IL 513 per month, and their income is about IL 200 per month. (IL 100 for Teachers, IL 50 for the director, IL 265 for food, and IL 35 for supporting the students, laundry, etc.).
The people who lead the Yeshiva work with devotion, and we have found them to be honest people.
For now they have not received any support from the Rebbe in America or from any other institutions.
The “Vaad Hayeshivos” gave them during the last few days the first fifty pounds (according to our demand, although they would have done it without us), and their income is mainly from Lubavitch Chassidim in Tel Aviv and those close to them.
A Very Favorable Report Was Received
This report was submitted to the main JDC office in New York, and they responded in a report about some of the Yeshivos and institutions in Israel, which included recommendations on how much to give each organization:
4. Talmud Torah and Yeshivah Olei Russia, Ludd
A very favorable report was received from the JDC office in Israel with the suggestion that a monthly subvention in the amount of IL 100 be allocated, since it has been the Committee’s practice to start with a modest allocation. Dr. Kahn recommended an allocation in the amount of $160 for November. This was duly approved.
The Support to the Yeshiva “Is Most Inadequate”
In continuation to this report Mr. Harry Viteles (JDC – Israel) wrote a letter to Mr. Solomon Tarshansky (JDC – New York), on December 18, 1949 [Kislev 27, 5710], complaining about the fact that they limited the amount of support due to the Chabad Yeshiva in Lud:
4. With regard to paragraph (2) of your letter:
(a) Our understanding is that applications from Yeshivoth – new and old – will be considered and approved by the Committee in Israel…
(b) We consider the subvention of $150 for the Yeshiva Olei Russia, Ludd as most inadequate – less than one-third of the amount which we recommended…
Pirsum Rishon: The Frierdiker Rebbe’s Letter
On November 14, 1949 [Cheshvan 22, 5710] the Frierdiker Rebbe wrote a letter to the directorate of the JDC in New York, discussing the new Chabad village in Israel, “Kfar Chabad,” and describing the various financial needs of its residents:
Greetings and Blessings:
You are aware of the fact that we have been enabled with G-d’s help to establish in the Land of Israel our first Chabad Colony for our refugees from Russia, which colony has 5500 dunam at Safariah near Sarafend, situated about twelve miles from Tel Aviv, and bears the name of Kfar Chabad.
The Israel Government and the Jewish Agency have consented to furnish the entire budget for this settlement and have allocated the sum of Twenty Five Hundred Israeli Pounds (IL2500-) for every family that has been settled on the land in this colony which sum will be paid by the Jewish Agency within three years. The initial payments for this purpose have already been made.
In view of the fact that it will take three years to establish this Chabad colony, therefore –
1) There exists the vital problem of providing these people with some income during these three years; and
2) Since there have also been settled many families in the same colony of Kfar Chabad who on account of their old age and illness are not physically fitted for any labor, this second group is faced with the question of having some provision made for them to be able to exist.
I am therefore appealing to you, as Directors of the Joint Distribution Committee of whose great rescue work I am fully cognizant, that whereas you have previously supported these refugees in Europe, that you kindly comply with the following:
1) Please allocate a budget for the support of these Chabad colonists for a period of three years to enable them to become self-supporting; and
2) Please allocate a budget for the support of the indigent elderly persons in Kfar Chabad who are in need of constant assistance.
I shall appreciate your kind attention to this memorandum and urgent request of the Agudas Chasidei Chabad of the United States and Canada in the matter of your worthy and necessary assistance to the settlers of Kfar Chabad to make possible their continued existence.
Upon your agreeing in principle with this request, which I hope you will kindly do, I shall be glad to submit a detailed budget to you.
Sincerely yours and with blessings,
The Memorandum From Agudas Chasidei Chabad
A few months later, after the passing of the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Rashag sent a reminder to the JDC in the form of a “Memorandum,” detailing the financial need of the Kfar Chabad residents. This memo was dated March 12, 1950 [Adar 23, 5710]:
Gentlemen:
On behalf of the Agudas Chasidei Chabad of the United States and Canada, a national organization with a membership of over 150,000 and more than 200 affiliated synagogues, we respectfully wish to submit the following memorandum for your worthy consideration.
You are already aware of the great suffering that our Chabad Lubavitcher refugees had to undergo in Russia and other lands before they were able to reach the Holy Land. Thanks to the assistance of the Jewish Agency and of the Israel Government a large group of these refugees were established in an agricultural settlement now known as Kfar Chabad at Safariah, Israel, and also at the Rakevet Lud section of Lydda, Israel. The self-sacrifice of these Chabad refugees for Judaism while yet in Russia is well known to you and we do not have to stress this matter to you. Only after many hardships was this big group of our Chabad Lubavitcher refugees finally able to reach their destination and arrive in Israel. These colonists have been helped to establish themselves on the soil and to engage in full agricultural and farming activity, and thus be able to gainfully support themselves.
However, we have received heart rending reports of the great suffering and need of a part of these settlers, 44 needy and indigent families, who are too old and too sick to be able to work. Their circumstances are indeed most difficult.
In view of the fact that there is a special fund in the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee for such aid to sick and old persons unable to work in these special contingencies, we are therefore respectfully appealing to your worthy organization to kindly consider our memorandum and appeal most favorably, and to please grant your kind subvention to help alleviate the dire conditions of these 44 unfortunate and needy families, whose names are listed on the attached list.
We respectfully ask you to kindly grant a monthly subsidy of IL2200 – (Twenty Two Hundred Israeli Pounds) thus allowing a monthly support of Fifty Israeli Pounds per such needy family; and to kindly grant this monthly subsidy on an annual basis.
Thanking you in advance for your kind attention and assistance, and trusting that you will kindly comply with our earnest appeal in this most important matter, we remain,
Assuring you of our high regard,
Very respectfully yours,
Chairman Executive Gommittee
Rabbi S. Gourary
Attached to this memorandum was a list of 44 elderly Chabad Chassidim for whom assistance was requested, with a description of their difficult circumstances and social condition.