Grand Send Off

Whilst our buses were departing from 770, the Rebbe honored us with a grand send-off, standing at the entrance of 770 until the last bus was out of sight. The Rebbe was surrounded with his entourage, extremely elated, with a look of great satisfaction.

We returned to Manchester to receive a great ovation and a tumultuous welcome. People showered us with congratulations and Mazel Tovs. The local Jewish newspaper carried screaming banner headlines, right across the page, announcing “HILARY JAFFE ENGAGED TO AMERICAN YESHIVA STUDENT.”

Shortly thereafter, I received a letter from the Rebbe, dated 28th Tammuz 5722 (July 30, 1962), which contained the following paragraph:

...It is gratifying to know that you had a pleasant return trip and a heartwarming welcome, including the many good wishes of Mazel Tov for your daughter's shidduch. It must have helped Mrs. Jaffe to get used to the idea that her daughter has grown up, and there is much to be grateful for in the thought that the Almighty has helped bring up such a suitable shidduch without undue strain and worry. May G-d continue to shower His blessings on you and yours from His open and generous Hand”.

A few days after we returned to Manchester, we received a letter from Rabbi Shemtov, written by himself - in English - perhaps it was the only letter he ever wrote in English. In the letter he also wrote:

...I very happy to see the nearness from the Rebbe shlita to everyone of your family. For the 47 years in Lubavitch, I never hear or see from the Rebbes to push a shidduch like the Rebbe shlita in the shidduch of Hinda Malka לאריכות ימים ושנים טובות בשעה טובה ומוצלחת. (Translation: For long and good years, in a good and auspicious hour.)