The climax of our visit to Crown Heights is our actual, direct, personal encounter with the Rebbe. We did realize, of course, that we were fortunate and greatly honored to be granted this special privilege. Additionally, we entered the Rebbe’s room at the comparatively early hour of 10:15 p.m., an extremely favorable and coveted time for a yechidus.

We remained in yechidus until 11:00 p.m.

Upon entering, the Rebbe said, “Sholom Aleichem, Mr. Jaffe,” He then wished Roselyn a “refuah shleimo” (complete recovery), and asked her to be seated. The Rebbe did not ask me to sit down. At our very first yechidus in 1959, the Rebbe told me to take a chair. When I remonstrated, the Rebbe indicated that it would be quite in order for me to sit in yechidus for my first three visits. That was a long time ago, over seventeen years to be precise. Since my third visit (in 1961), the Rebbe has never offered me a seat in yechidus, but he does continue to offer one to Roselyn.

I signified that we had not taken advantage of the Rebbe’s offer, made last year, permitting us to bring a tape recorder into yechidus. I told the Rebbe that I had definitely not brought one.

“It is very suspicious in that case,” retorted the Rebbe.

I conveyed to the Rebbe that some of my readership complained that there was now too much Torah in my diary.

“By the time you write Volume 20, they will be used to it,” was the Rebbe’s reply.

That was a great brocha for a start!1

Upon arrival to New York, I had presented the Rebbe with (my usual) five bottles of vodka. The Rebbe (as usual) now asked whether I had intended them for “someone special.”

I once again replied that they were for the “Rebbe’s pleasure.”

The Rebbe stated that it would give him a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction if I would take, on the Rebbe’s behalf, one bottle for

Arthur Hubert and family. We should drink l’chaim with them for their good health.

I suggested that this would definitely put Arthur in a good mood.

The Rebbe interjected, “Arthur Hubert will be in a good mood before he drinks the vodka.”

Arthur’s distinguished son and heir, Walter, who has personally visited the Rebbe at yechidus, once told me, “If the Rebbe gives you advice, and you do not take it, you are a fool, and if you do, you have a hell of a job to accomplish!”

The Rebbe was pleased with the letters from Chaya, especially so because Chaya had been so considerate in placing the vowels with the Hebrew and Yiddish words she had included in her letter. “She wanted to make sure that I could read the Hebrew,” added the Rebbe with a smile. The Rebbe also remarked how marvelous it was that Chaya knew all of the twelve “secrets of the Torah,” by heart, including those quoted from the Tanya.

The Rebbe was particularly impressed and pleased with Alice Peerce (Jan’s wife), who was performing a wonderful job of public relations for Lubavitch. She was an example to all of us, said the Rebbe, energetic, sincere and vigorous! The Rebbe revealed to me that Jan Peerce [who also sang opera] “was told by Toscanini that he had a “native” Italian diction2 and,” continued the Rebbe, “that was at the same time that Jan became a Lubavitcher!”

I told the Rebbe that Alice and Jan were numbered among my most esteemed and valued readers. I always forward them a copy of my diary and I invariably receive a heartwarming and encouraging acknowledgment.

We discussed family, communal and Lubavitch matters for quite a while this time. The Rebbe was delighted that two Manchester dayonim, Golditch and Schneebalg, regularly attend our affairs. The Rebbe was gratified when people spoke so nicely about us.

I showed the Rebbe the certificate from the shul appointing me as life-president. The Rebbe asked if I could leave this for him, since “you can get another copy when you return home.”

The Rebbe said he was happy I had spoken at the kinus hatorah. I told the Rebbe I had already received my payment, as “Rabbi Mentlik had given me “rations” of fruit, wine, soda, bread and cake – all from the Rebbe!”

When I informed the Rebbe that we would be leaving New York next Monday [Sivan 16 (June 14)], I suggested that we might see the Rebbe after mincha on that day to say farewell. The Rebbe replied, “I will surely see you before then!”

“Of course,” I seized this opportunity and rejoined, “I will see the Rebbe at the farbrengen this Shabbos.”

“Ah, you are trying to smuggle in another farbrengen,” said the Rebbe.

After a memorable 45 minutes of private conversation with the Rebbe, we received lovely brochos and took our leave.