This letter was addressed to “our brethren, Jewish men and women, particularly those dwelling in Greater New York; may G‑d bless them.”

B”H, Purim Katan, 5711,
Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

Certain Jewish circles where, unfortunately at present, the Torah and its mitzvos are forsaken, are exposed to a great propaganda effort from missionaries who either openly or subtly influence them to convert, Heaven forbid. They devote special attention to children whose Jewish education has been overlooked. If [the teaching]:1 “Anyone who maintains one Jewish soul is considered as if he maintained the entire world,” has applied at all times, it is certainly true at present, when millions of our holy and pure brothers and sisters who were martyred for the sanctification of G‑d’s name were unexpectedly taken from us. Every soul is an entire world and we must employ the greatest energies to maintain his connection with G‑d.

In particular, we have a great responsibility to children who, in the future, will be building Jewish homes. Every negative influence on them, particularly one [which leads to] the denial of G‑d, affects [their descendants] in many generations to come.

I am therefore very happy to hear about the great awakening which began in certain conscientious Jewish circles to take practical steps to counter these disturbing influences and to protect Jewish souls from being torn away from their Jewish roots.

I am particularly pleased to highlight the soul-saving work of the Committee for the Preservation and Furtherance of Jewish Education2 which was founded by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, under the supervision of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, which has devised vast plans in this area and is moving ahead in putting them into practice.

It is certainly the responsibility of every Jew — man or woman — to assist these important and critically necessary efforts to the fullest extent of their potential. The merit of this mitzvah of saving souls will certainly serve as a medium to enable them to be blessed with all forms of good.

With blessing,

M. Schneerson