By the Grace of G-d 2nd Day of Shevat, 5713 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sholom u’Brocho:

I send my greetings to all present at, and participating in, this year’s annual celebration of the Lubavitcher Yeshivoth Tomche Tmimim of the U.S.A., and address to each one of you the blessing hallowed by Jewish custom:

Blessed is he who comes in the Name of G-d!

American Jewry owes praise and gratitude to the Almighty for having been privileged to have in its midst my saintly father-in-law of blessed memory, who on arrival in this country thirteen years ago immediately planted on this soil the "Divine Vineyard," the Lubavitcher Yeshivoth Tomche Tmimim.

Looking upon the thirteen years of devoted work of the Lubavitcher Yeshivoth in this country, it is evident to all who truly and fully evaluate the Jewish scene, that the Lubavitcher Yeshivoth, with their many hundreds of students whose scholarship is coupled with true piety, have been a Divine blessing to Jewish life in America. The profound influence of the Lubavitcher students and alumni on the Jewish communal and individual life is a universally recognized fact.

We can see very clearly how the sacred task which my saintly father-in-law assumed on arrival in America is steadily being fulfilled and nearing its goal with every passing day, a task which he avowed repeatedly and on various occasions,¹ namely:

To make America a center of Torah learning coupled with Yiras Shomaim.

And the Yeshivoth Tomche Tmimim Lubavitz have a most important part in the growing realization of this goal.

Therefore, at this time when the United Lubavitcher Yeshivoth Tomche Tmimim are experiencing a crucial financial situation, which places in jeopardy the already existing institutions, and, obviously, limits the expansion and increase in the number of Yeshivoth which is vital,

American Jews, particularly all present, must become fully conscious of their sacred duty to make every effort in behalf of the Lubavitcher Yeshivoth, to give them their utmost support in order to wipe off the burden of deficit, and enable these Yeshivoth to carry on their work and make America a center of Torah and Yiras Shomaim.

I trust that every one of you will, on the occasion of this annual celebration, make the utmost personal contribution and do everything possible to help raise immediately the necessary funds which the Administration of the Lubavitcher Yeshivoth Tomche Tmimim needs and expects.

The Zechus of Tzedoko, particularly Tzedoko connected with kosher education, the strengthening of Yiddishkeit, Torah and Yiras Shomaim,

Will bestow Divine blessings and happiness upon all participants and their families in the fulfilment of their needs, material and spiritual.

With blessing

Signed

/Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson/