Letter from Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky

Letter from Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky
Letter handwritten and signed by R. Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky, mashgiach of the Baranovich yeshiva. Baranovich (Baranavichy), Sivan 1937.
Addressed to R. Yaakov Levin, secretary of R. Chaim Ozer in Vilna. R. Yisrael Yaakov asks him to find out whether R. Chaim Ozer wrote a letter pertaining to matters of the "Kollel" (apparently, of one of the Novardok yeshivot): "…perhaps it is possible to inquire if R. Chaim Ozer wrote to Ostroh regarding papers for the Kollel, which he suggested when he was here, and to inform us of the situation… Yisrael Yaakov".
R. Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky was a leading musar figure in his times. Born in Baranovich to his father, who served as rabbi of the town. He was one of the initial students in the yeshiva of R. Yozel Horowitz, the Alter of Novardok, and later became his son-in-law. Following his father's passing, he served for a time as rabbi of Baranovich, a position he later handed over to his brother-in-law, R. David Weitzel. He headed the Tsaritsyn (Volgograd) and Kharkiv branches of the Novardok yeshiva. When he crossed the border to Poland, R. Elchanan Wasserman appointed him mashgiach of the Ohel Torah yeshiva in Baranovich. He was also the mainstay of the Beit Yosef - Novardok chain of yeshivot, founded by his father-in-law, the Alter of Novardok, and the profound, inspirational lectures which he delivered at alumni gatherings were received with great love and respect. He would preach about striving to reach perfection, and absolute devotion to a life of Torah and refining one's character traits. A most preeminent Torah figure of the generation, outstanding in Torah and noble traits, who combined piety with action. His worship of G-d was passionate. Exceptionally humble, he would conceal his holy ways in every way possible, though his righteousness and modesty became well known. During his tenure as rabbi of Baranovich, he would arise early to assist the beadle, and he was beloved and revered by every member of the community. When he would go on Erev Shabbat to remind the storekeepers to close their shops, they would all hurry to comply, so as not to cause him anguish even for a short moment. With the outbreak of WWII, he fled to Vilna with part of the Baranovich yeshiva. He was murdered by the Nazis in the Kaunas fortress in Tammuz 1941.
Official postcard of the Baranovich yeshiva. 10.5X14.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Filing holes (slightly affecting text of date). Minor tear to corner. Postmarks (postage stamps removed).