(Rosh Yeshiva of Kletzk and Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, 1891-1962). Autograph Letter Signed writen in Hebrew to Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin of Jerusalem.

KOTLER, AARON.

Eighth day of Chanukah

Lakewood, New Jersey

1952

Eleven enumerated matters, variously concerning the Va’ad HaYeshivoth, the Va’ad HaHatzalah, the Joint, Tashbar, etc.

Rabbi Aaron Kotler famously reorganized his Polish pre-war yeshiva that was based in Kletzk, into the world-class Beth Medrash Gevoha situated in Lakewood, New Jersey. R. Zalman Sorotzkin (1881-1966), son-in-law of R. Eliezer Gordon of Telz Yeshiva, served as Rabbi of Lutzk, Poland; he was heavily active in the Vilna-based Va’ad HaYeshivoth (under the auspices of R. Chaim Ozer Grodzinski), and after the war, directed the Israeli Va’ad HaYeshivoth until his death. The present detailed letter touches upon many issues affecting the Charedi population of Eretz Israel including efforts to relieve social and welfare needs, organizing the shipment from America of food and clothing for the benefit of impoverished yeshivah students and their families. Rabbi Kotler reports here that he has had meetings with the leadership of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee seeking a million dollar contribution; also met with Gen. Chaim Herzog, defence attaché at the Israeli Embassy in the United States. Notes that the Va’ad HaHatzalah is shipping three thousand volumes of the Talmud, as well as ten thousand “litroth” of potatoes for those who chose not to till the land during Shemittah. R. Kotler advises that the Va’ad HaYeshivoth should not protest against Mifal HaTorah (a religious organization established by Mizrachi) unless they choose to represent the entire Yeshivah community in Eretz Israel.