Official Proclamations and Correspondence with the Rebbe

Welcome to our third program in honor of the Rebbe's 121st birthday on COLlive.

Listen, the last two weeks that we had — the correspondence from people that wrote to the Rebbe, that we had answered: dignitaries, askanim, rabbonim, rabbis that sent the Rebbe blessings in honor of his [birthday]. And then the second one, last week, we had the 500 rabbis. Today I want to share with you a packet that the Rebbe gave to Rabbi Mindel — I think it was through Rabbi Binyomin Klein — from the thousands of people from the entire world that sent the Rebbe wishes. Now it's impossible to read all of them, so I'll choose whatever comes up, I'll choose what I'm going to read. First I want to share with you a statement from the governor. Now, at the end of this program, if I have time today, I want to share with you a letter from Rabbi Dworkin that the Rebbe said to Rabbi Mindel that he should write to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and he wrote it in Hebrew and in English. If we have time today [I'll read it]; if we don't have time today, then I will definitely read it next week. But first I want to read this — a statement of the governor.

[Reading the governor's proclamation:] "...came to the United States in 1941, whereupon he was appointed chairman of the executive committee governing organizations such as Merkos, the educational arm of the Lubavitch Chabad movement; Machne Israel, the Lubavitch movement's organ dedicated to the welfare of Jews everywhere; and Kehot Publishing House. In 1950, Rabbi Schneerson was called upon to assume the leadership of the blossoming Lubavitch Chabad movement, which [established] day schools, rabbinical seminaries, vocational schools, day and overnight camps, centers known as Chabad Houses near universities, one of which is located at the University of Washington. [He] founded numerous new institutions, [which] sprung forth and flourished; established religious officers around the world to keep watch at the heartbeat of Jewish life; inspired hundreds of young men to dedicate their lives to go out into Jewish communities, to establish contact with the Jewish people and to help them find their way back to their heritage. To his many followers [he] personifies all the great Jewish leaders who led their generations through history, represents to them all that is near and dear in Jewish life, and is an inspiration and a guide. Therefore I, Dixy Lee Ray, Governor of the State of Washington, do hereby proclaim March 30th, 1977, as Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson's Day in the State of Washington, and join in honoring a man who has been a pillar of light and hope to Jewish youth as well as a Jewish leader of unique stature."

Now, this was given to the Rebbe — this is the seal that I found, that was given to the Rebbe, [brought] by Rabbi Mindel.

Now I want to show you — here we have, as you can see, a national scroll that was presented by the President and the Congress of the United States of America, in tribute to the vision and spiritual world leadership provided by the Rebbe, on the occasion of his reaching his 80th birthday. The scroll was issued as a tribute to the Rebbe on his 80th year. This historic document was signed by President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office on March 24, 1983, on the eve of the Rebbe's birthday, the 11th of Nissan, and was later signed by the Speaker of the House, both leaders, every member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, culminating with the signature of Vice President George Bush, as you can see here.

Now there are more proclamations — I can't show you all of them — from all different cities in the United States. This is from the office of the Mayor of the City of Milwaukee, this is original. This is of the State of Wisconsin, and this is of the office of the Governor of New York. These are the seals, the originals.

Now I want to show you — here we have a photograph taken during the presentation of Rabbi Schneerson's gold medal. You have the gold medal here that was given — this is an image of the Rebbe, this is the gold medal. It says here: benevolence, ethics, leadership, scholarship — Act of Congress, 1994. The podium — this was in 1994, and here it says: "At the 103rd Congress of the United States of America was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. You are cordially invited to participate in a historic international tribute honoring the lifetime of the Rebbe and marking the presentation of the monumental award." So this is the invitation.

Now here is a picture — this was President Clinton with Rabbi Mindel. Here is a picture you can see — in the back, right behind Rabbi Mindel, is Rabbi Gutnick Senior, and these are the delegations that came then. This is the delegation.

Now, Rabbi Mindel was involved with the Frierdiker Rebbe before anybody knew [of] Washington, before the delegation — all the people that you can see in this picture — before they even knew Washington, Rabbi Mindel was sent by the Frierdiker Rebbe to President Roosevelt, as I told you last week, that he was sent by the Rebbe with [other] people, and to the 500 rabbis, and probably many more times. And here is, from November 15, 1940, the White House: the secretary to the president, Stephen Early, wrote to Rabbi Mindel: "My dear Mr. Mindel, the President has asked me to thank you for your very nice message of congratulations. We want you to know of his sincere appreciation." And then there's something that the Rebbe answered on that, but I don't have it in front of me right now.

Now I want to read to you — there was a person by the name of Herman Wouk, everybody has heard of him, he was a famous author, he wrote a book everybody knows, "This Is My God." He was very close to the Rebbe, he was very close to Rabbi Mindel, and he did many services for the Rebbe. We have maybe 30 or 37 letters of correspondence between Herman Wouk and the Rebbe. So here is a letter that the Rebbe wrote to him:

"To Mr. Wouk, greeting and blessing: This is to thank you again for bringing me the President's personal letter and wishes. It was a pleasure to receive it through such a distinguished emissary. I am sending you a copy of my letter to President Nixon" — this is years ago, this is in 1970 — "I am confident that you delivered my personal acknowledgment, and indeed even more fully than it is possible to convey in writing, inasmuch as these events took place in the present auspicious days before Pesach. I take this opportunity of extending to you and yours my best wishes for a kosher and inspiring Yom Tov," and the Rebbe signs his name.

Here is the letter that the Rebbe sent to President Nixon, that Mr. Wouk was supposed to deliver:

"Mr. Richard Nixon, President of the United States, the White House, Washington, D.C. Greeting and blessing: This is to convey to you, my dear Mr. President, my heartfelt appreciation of your kind felicitations and good wishes on the occasion of my birthday. I assume that your warm wishes were meant not for me alone, but for the two-hundred-year-old movement which I am privileged to head and lead by the grace of Divine Providence, particularly for the principles and ideals to which our movement is dedicated, and for the service it renders for a better world in this country and in other parts. Needless to say, as in the case of all living things, where growth and development are the sign of life, the vital program and services rendered by our movement must be continually expanded, especially in the field of education and youth work, where there is a crying need for this kind of public service, particularly in the present day and age. In light of the above, I am profoundly indebted to you, Mr. President, for your personal attention and warm sentiments and good wishes on this occasion, since this gives us the confidence that we have your favorable consideration and moral support, and we may look forward to increased participation of the government and its agencies in this sphere of education and youth work. For this I thank you, Mr. President, no less in gratitude than for your and Mrs. Nixon's personal good wishes to me. May I add my prayerful wishes to you and Mrs. Nixon and all your family, that you see the fulfillment of the Divine promise to our patriarch Avraham: 'I will bless them that bless thee,' in a very generous measure." And the Rebbe signs his name.

Now, this is for the White House also — I think it's very interesting. Now, the President invites you — this is Rabbi Mindel — to attend the meeting of the White House Conference for Children, to be held December 13, 1970, Washington, D.C. This is the invitation that was sent. Now, these are the people that went then to the conference — this is the golden anniversary White House Conference on Children and Youth, 1960, and the Rebbe was very, very much involved; he needed to know everything that was going on. Now it says here — just to read to you two paragraphs — some 7,000 delegates from all parts of the USA, representing various national organizations, were invited to the conference. There were also some 500 delegates from overseas. The delegation of Chabad Lubavitch consisted of Nissen Mindel, David Hollander, Jacob J. Hecht, Zalman Posner; working closely with them were also Uriel Zimmer and Gershon Jacobson, both in the capacity of correspondents.

Now, here you have Rabbi Posner, Rabbi Hecht representing [Chabad], and when they came back they showed this picture to the Rebbe, and the Rebbe asked where was Gershon Ber Jacobson — that he should have been put in also. I know Rabbi Mindel told me he should have been in that picture, but I spoke [with] the doctor about it — but they never wanted him to be in the picture. There were other things about that, but it's not important.

Now, here we have — this is to Dr. Mindel: "The President and Mrs. Carter invite you to a reception on May 1st, 1978, at two o'clock, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. His Excellency the Prime Minister of Israel and Mrs. Begin — please present this message at the Southwest gate." So this is the invitation. But he actually could not make it then. So Jimmy Carter writes: "I was very sorry you were not able to attend the White House reception on May 1st honoring the 30th anniversary of the State of Israel. Enclosed you will find a copy of my remarks from this occasion, which I thought may be of interest to you, and also a photograph which was taken at the event."

So this is at the time when Begin came to the Rebbe — this is Rabbi Binyomin Klein, this is Rabbi Mindel, and as you can see the Rebbe is reading this. This is the time that they went to [meet] President Carter. And here I have — I mean, Rabbi Mindel was very close — the Rebbe was constantly in touch with Washington through Rabbi Mindel, through these few people that I showed you before.

Now there's a letter here, a very short letter that the Rebbe wrote to President Carter — and by the way, I hear now that he's not welcome [to speak about such things], okay: "Thank you, dear Mr. President, for your kind telegram in connection with my recent illness" — I think this is the one [sent] after the Rebbe had the heart attack — "Your warm expression of concern for my health is deeply appreciated. With the help of God, the Healer of all flesh, who works wondrously, my recovery has been most satisfactory, and I have already been able to resume my duties. With prayerful wishes to you for continued good health, for success in carrying out the fullest measure of that which Divine Providence [grants]."

So this is one. Then here, the Rebbe writes to Jimmy Carter, President Carter: "Mrs. Schneerson joins me in acknowledging with profound appreciation your warm felicitations on the occasion of our 50th wedding anniversary, and we sincerely reciprocate your good wishes," and the Rebbe gives them a brocha.

Now here I want to share with you something — talking about President Carter, about President Reagan — I mean, there's so much, there's President Ford here, and President Kennedy and Eisenhower, I mean so much, we won't have time for that, but I do want to share with you this because it is before Pesach. This was written by President Carter and President Reagan. Now, this is: "I am pleased to send you my congratulations as you celebrate your 100th birthday. I hope that the year ahead will be especially happy," and President Carter signs his name.

Now, along with President Reagan — Nancy Reagan [and] Ronald Reagan also sent wishes to Mrs. Nemtzov [?]. Now, Mrs. Nemtzov [?] was Rabbi Mindel's mother-in-law; she was the wife of [Rabbi] Abramov [?], the one who actually stood up at the first huge farbrengen and announced when the Rebbe became Rebbe. So Mrs. Nemtzov [?] lived 115 years — she's my wife's grandmother — she's buried near the Ohel; as you can see, [one grave] is on the left and hers is on the right, closer to the Ohel. And whoever goes can see that she lived to close to 110 — and the reason that they wrote that is because the Rebbe said that we shouldn't write more than [that figure] — I don't know why — so it says that she lived [to that age].

So President Reagan and President Carter — President Carter wrote this when she turned a hundred, and President Reagan, I think, it was later, when she was older. I mean, she was a special lady, she was sharp in her mind at 100.

I want to tell you a story about her, because that's [relevant] before Pesach — I don't think we'll have time for the letter [of Rabbi Dworkin], but I will do it with you next week. She lived — Rabbi and Mrs. Mindel had to go away, they went to the suburbs for Pesach, so I went to Long Beach, Long Island, to pick her up, to take her to Borough Park to her nephew Rabbi Yisroel Friedman, a big mishpacha. And she was there for Pesach, she was probably then 107, 108 — a few years before she passed away, about five years before she passed away.

So I was there, it was about 12, 1 o'clock in the afternoon — it's an amazing story. I sat her down at the table, the table was a very long table, a big [spread] for a very long table — there was a jar of fish that they bought for Pesach, everything kosher — and I sat her down, and she's sitting and looking and looking and looking, far down the end of the table — the long table — she calls her granddaughter, who was 17 years old, I was standing next to her. She says — sorry, not her daughter, her granddaughter — she says to her, "Miriam, what is that?" pointing all the way down the table. So Miriam says, "This is fish for Pesach." A few minutes later she calls her again: "Miriam, come here, what is this?" So Miriam says, "This is fish." Okay, so again a few minutes later — so what did she do? Miriam went all the way to the end of the table and she took the jarred fish, and she gives a look — it said "Not for Passover use" in little words — she didn't [literally] see those words, I couldn't see those words either — she felt it. She was a special woman, a special lady, she felt there was something wrong there. I mean, she was a "mama."

So before Pesach, I just wanted to share with you this story. So these are the wishes that the presidents [sent] her. So I wanted to share with you — I mean there's so much here to share with you, so many people that the Rebbe [corresponded with] — maybe in the future we'll have programs on this. So, with Hashem's help, next week I give you my word, I'll share with you the letter that Rabbi Dworkin wrote, and the Rebbe's answer. Thank you.