Historic, Lengthy Letter from Rabbi Aharon Kotler - Regarding the Orthodox 'Youth Aliyah' - Elul, 1962

Historic, Lengthy Letter from Rabbi Aharon Kotler - Regarding the Orthodox 'Youth Aliyah' - Elul, 1962
Lengthy letter handwritten and signed by R. Aharon Kotler. [Lakewood, New Jersey, Elul 1962). Addressed to prominent Eretz Israel rabbis, R. Yechezkel Abramsky and R. Yechezkel Sarna. The letter discusses coordinating collaboration and agreement between two Jewish outreach organizations, Chever HaPe'ilim in Eretz Israel and Pe'ilim of the United States. R. Aharon Kotler suggests the establishment of a committee of five Torah scholars who would decide on the division of the resources "in the most efficient way", and recommends various candidates as members of the committee (R. A. Farbstein, R. Tz. Markovitz, R. Sh. Schwadron, R. Sh. Grossbard, R. Ch. Milikovsky, R. G. Nadel, R. Y. Lis), though he is mainly interested in the involvement of R. Shach and R. Chaim Milikovsky (father of the current Rebbe of Amshinov), whose input he had already sought: "R. E. Shach, whom I have written to several times, requesting he show interest in this and generally oversee, and the activists have already been in contact with him a little bit. Also R. Ch. Milikovsky, who was here half a year ago, promised to participate in this committee…". The letter concludes with an interesting paragraph alluding to clandestine schemes to establish an Orthodox "Youth Aliyah", initiated by R. Aharon Kotler and R. Yechezkel Abramsky. This letter mentions plans to earmark a special airplane for this activity: "Last week, Mr. Bodenheimer returned from Europe and I spoke to him regarding the proposal several people made apropos an airplane and he promised to write to you about some details we discussed…". During the period of the Moroccan and North-African immigration to Eretz Israel, the official Aliyah organizations (Aliyat HaNoar, the Jewish Agency) prevented the immigrant children from receiving religious and orthodox education. A battle ensued between them and the Pe'ilim organizations, who were barred from operating amongst the immigrants to draw them close to Judaism and encourage them to continue observing the religious tradition. R. Yechezkel Abramsky and other rabbis organized an independent Youth immigration. They rented their own airplane to bring to Eretz Israel the children of parents committed to a Torah education. This clandestine organization arose the wrath of the State leaders, yet ultimately, the Aliyat HaNoar leaders were compelled to involve the Orthodox Pe'ilim in the absorption process of the immigrant children. [1] leaf, official stationery. Approx. 27.5 cm. Written on both sides, approx. 31 lines. Good condition. Folding marks and minor stains.