It is getting more and more difficult to arrange our yechidus with the Rebbe.

I have overheard Rabbi Binyomin Klein tell people – in person and on the telephone – that it would be many months before they could have a private interview with the Rebbe.

Nevertheless, both Bernard Perrin and I received a message that the Rebbe was prepared to see us on Friday afternoon, Sivan 8 (June 8) – erev Shabbos of all days – at 3 o’clock. And so, after getting ready for Shabbos early, we arrived outside the Rebbe’s office a few minutes before three and waited.


Three hours later, at 6 o’clock, we were still waiting, so Roselyn rushed home just to boil up the kettle for Shabbos. Finally, at 7:25, we entered the Rebbe’s study. (Shabbos would start at 8:10.)

The Rebbe asked about the apartment and its improvements. “What else [not whether anything] was needed to be done?”

I gave the Rebbe – as usual – my check as “payment” for the rent. (The Rebbe always refuses payment for the use of his apartment, so I give a donation. It is not a matter of money; there are no available apartments nearby for short-term rent.) The Rebbe said, “I don’t need this money before Shabbos, since the kugel is already prepared.”

The Rebbe confided that he had recently received a letter from our son Avrohom and that it showed the “maximum of despair” (the Rebbe’s words) regarding the affairs of Lubavitch in Manchester and that he wished to resign.

The Rebbe told us that we should advise him to remember “kibud av v’em” (honoring your father and mother), with the emphasis on mother, meaning that Roselyn should instruct him to keep his position at least as an honorary officer.

Bernard Perrin was also waiting outside the Rebbe’s room for his yechidus. He and I had mutual Lubavitch business to discuss with the Rebbe, so after we had been with the Rebbe for about fifteen minutes I opened the door to summon Bernard Perrin to join us.

The Rebbe asked us about a certain Lubavitch worker of ours. I replied that this fellow was making wonderful progress.

“You are not talking with enthusiasm,” said the Rebbe.

“Maybe you should ask Bernard Perrin,” said I.

“Yes, yes,” interposed Bernard, “he is wonderful.”

“Tut, tut,” continued the Rebbe, “you are also not talking with enthusiasm.”

We asked the Rebbe to decide on the profit allocation from sales of the Tanya (after its publication) between London and Manchester.

The Rebbe would not do this. He said he could not take the responsibility, when he, please G‑d, reached the age of 120 years, of having to answer a complaint that money had been taken from one and given to another. [See chapter 4 for how this matter was amicably settled. –Ed.]

The Rebbe said he had received wonderful reports about [opera singer] Jan Peerce’s exceptional and notable efforts on behalf of Lubavitch in California. The Rebbe suggested we phone to congratulate and thank both him and his wife, Alice. (The Rebbe knew that we in Manchester were the first to enlighten Jan Peerce regarding Lubavitch work.)


I reminded the Rebbe that last year he gave Roselyn and me a brocha “iber dem kop,” (over your head) and we are asking for the same again.

The Rebbe replied that it will be still better, with, please G‑d, “nachas from all the children.”

Roselyn and I left the Rebbe’s presence at 7:45 p.m. Bernard still remained for his own private yechidus and Shabbos was starting in twenty-five minutes!