An Historical Call to Rescue the Admor Rabbi Yochanan of Karlin Shortly After the Holocaust – 1946
Important and Special Letter Signed by the Elders and Prominent Hasidim of the Karlin Dynasty, on Behalf of Thousands of Hasidim in the Land of Israel
In this letter, they urgently call for action to obtain an entry visa (certificate) for Rabbi Yochanan of Karlin and his daughter, Mrs. Feiga (the mother of the current Karlin Rebbe).
The Rebbe is described as the only one remaining in
"the mercy of Hashem as the only survivor from the holy lineage of the Karlin Hasidic dynasty, " and at that time was in the displaced persons camp in Feldafing, weakened and suffering. The letter states that "it is a matter of saving a life to bring him as soon as possible."
The letter is signed by ten prominent Hasidim: Rabbi Chaim Mendel Kostrometzky (whom the Chafetz Chaim referred to as a ‘small Torah scroll’), Rabbi Yehoshua Ha’ashil Haltovsky, Rabbi Aharon Klemnau, Rabbi Alter HaLevi Shulman of Tiberias, Rabbi Aharon Haltovsky, Rabbi Schneur Zalman Grossman, and others.
This letter bore good results; shortly following this letter, the Rebbe successfully immigrated to Israel a few weeks later, and hundreds of Hasidim welcomed him with singing and dancing upon his disembarkation from the ship. After some time, the Rebbe traveled to the United States, where he re-established the Hasidic institutions. He was niftar there but buried in Israel.
His grandchildren (the children of his daughter mentioned in this letter) are the current Karlin Rebbe and his brother, the Rebbe of Lutsk.
Jerusalem, Adar 1946. Size: Approximately 22×28 cm. Condition: Good, with small pinholes due to ink burning.
