Across the Border to the DP Camp — and the Box of Manuscripts
As I Heard Them, Vol. 1, pp. 443-445, no. 17
After the war, Russia let Polish citizens return home by freight train, and chassidim built an escape committee that forged documents, bribed officials and ran safe houses in Lvov; in Elul 5706 (1946) R. Zalman Duchman and his family were permitted to travel to Lvov and crossed the border, continuing through Krakow and Austria to a DP camp in Pernveld, Germany. They wrote at once to the Frierdiker Rebbe of their wish to be reunited with him, and on 23 Nissan 5707 were told to approach the Rashag, who handled such arrangements. In the camp R. Zalman gave regular shiurim, especially in Tanya, and copied out the letters he received to share with fellow chassidim; in Cheshvan 5709 the Rebbe sent him a packet of sichos and maamorim on condition that he share it and that he write down recollections of his grandfather R. Mordechai Yoel of Homil, adding a postscript recalling that R. Zalman had been entrusted with sacred documents during the Rebbe's arrest — to which R. Zalman replied describing returning the box of manuscripts on the 12th of Tammuz and being told in return that the Rebbe would be back in time for Shabbos. In a letter of 15 Av 5709 the Frierdiker Rebbe instructed him to report address changes, to see that every child had a cheder, and where needed to enable children to learn a trade.
Holiday: tu_bav (2/5): The Frierdiker Rebbe's letter of instructions about chadorim and trades for refugee children is dated 15 Av 5709.