Decision of US Rabbis – Regarding Transfer of the Bones of Rebbe Yochanan of Karlin to Burial in Eretz Israel

[Unsigned] leaf in the handwriting of Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu Henkin, a prominent US rabbi, with the conclusion of US rabbis regarding the transfer of the bones of Rebbe Yochanan of Karlin for burial in Eretz Israel. [USA, c. 1956]. "We, the undersigned, who have been chosen to inform you of our decision regarding the removal of the bones of Rebbe Yochanan Yisrael Perlow, the Stolin Rebbe, have all reached the same conclusion – the Rebbetzin and her daughter are allowed to move the body of the deceased to the Holy Land…". However, the decision contains criticism against the reinterment: "At the same time, we wish to express our opinion that according to the state of Judaism in this country, our sages are not pleased with the removal and transport to the Holy Land… because others learn from this and spend huge sums of money for this… All the holy institutes are suffering from lack of funds and the greatest merit is to donate money to charity which is atonement for the living and the dead, and other expenses stand in the way". Rebbe Yochanan Perlow of Karlin-Stolin (1900-Kislev 1955) was the youngest son of the Rebbe “the Yanuka”, Rabbi Yisrael Perlow. After the Holocaust, he remained the only survivor of his father’s six sons and became the primary rebbe of Karlin Chassidim. In 1946, he moved to Eretz Israel and two years later moved to the US. Rabbi Yochanan developed and expanded the Karlin Torah and prayer institutes in Eretz Israel and in the US and united them under his leadership to one community. His death at the age of 56 left a gaping hole among Karlin Chassidim. Following his death, the Chassidim debated among themselves regarding his burial site and after casting a lot, he was buried in the US. Nonetheless, the Karlin Chassidim in Eretz Israel were not acquiesced and a year later his bones were brought to Eretz Israel and buried in the ancient cemetery in Tiberias, near the graves of the leading Chassidic Rebbes, Rebbe Mendeli of Vitbesk and Rabbi Nachman of Horodenka. Leaf 28 cm. 11 handwritten lines. Good condition.