A newly discovered letter from the Rebbe to U.S. President Harry Truman from 5709 (1949) refers to the newly elected president as a “truly Big Champ.” This marks the earliest known letter to date from the Rebbe to a U.S. president.

By Anash.org writer

In a teshura printed Tuesday night for the wedding of the Kramer and Newman families, a newly discovered letter from the Rebbe was published – an English letter addressed to U.S. President Harry Truman, dated 19 Teves 5709 (1949). This marks the earliest known letter to date from the Rebbe to a U.S. president.

The letter, written on the stationery of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, was sent to President Truman on the occasion of his inauguration, on behalf of Merkos and “the numerous Jewish children in this country and the world over, to whose education and welfare this organization is dedicated.”

In it, the Rebbe refers to the new president as a “truly big champ” due to his “faith in G-d, love for fellow-man, the championship of the underprivileged, and world peace and freedom as the foundations of a determined policy.”

The White House responded with a letter signed by the secretary to the president, in which he conveyed President Truman’s appreciation for the Rebbe’s heartfelt wishes.

The full letter of the Rebbe:

The Honorable
Harry S. Truman, President of the United States,
The White House, Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the Executive of the Merkos L’Inyonel Chinuch and the numerous Jewish children in this country and the world over, to whose education and welfare this organization is dedicated, please accept our heartfelt felicitations and prayerful wishes on the occasion of your Inauguration.

To these, as to all children everywhere, a leader who regards faith in G-d, love for fellow-man, the championship of the underprivileged, and world peace and freedom as the foundations of a determined policy, is a truly Big Champ indeed.

May your term of office be a happy, peaceful and successful one, leading this country and the world at large to lasting peace and prosperity, with the help of the Almighty

Very truly yours,

Rabbi Mendel Schneerson
Chairman, Executive Committee

The White House response:

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

February 2, 1949

My dear Rabbi Schneerson:

The kind congratulations you extend on behalf of those you represent, pleased the President ever so much. Thoughtful letters like yours are genuinely appreciated by him and he asks me to express his thanks.

Very sincerely yours,

Wicemin D. Harvelt
WILLIAM D. HASSETT
Secretary to the President