SCHNEERSON, MOUSSIA (CHAYA-MUSHKA).

16th January

Riga (Latvia)

1929

(Wife of the seventh Grand Rabbi of Lubavitch, R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson. 1901-88). Autograph Letter Signed to Necha Rivkin of Jerusalem (formerly of Rostov, later of New York and wife of Rabbi Moshe Dov-Ber Rivkin of Yeshivath Torath Emeth in Jerusalem and later, Torah Voda’ath of New York).

The second of the three daughters of the Friediker Rebbe, Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson (1880-1950) and wife to Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-94), who succeeded his father-in-law’s title in 1951. Writes to her life-long friend, Necha Rivkin, commencing by asking about her children: “I do so much love children.” Makes reference to her recent wedding (27th November, 1928): “There were many guests and I was concerned to pay attention to everyone present.” After noting her imminent departure with her new husband to Berlin (indeed just five days after this letter was penned), Rebbetzin Chaya-Moushka writes: “Although grandfather is visiting from Kishinev [R. Avrohom Schneerson], our family is very isolated here. The house is subdued and empty. Once we leave, it is likely to be sadder still. I cannot stop mulling this over, yet there is nothing I can do to change it.”