By the Grace of G-d21st of Teves, 5723Brooklyn, New York

Greeting and Blessing:

I was pleased to be informed about your Mesibos Shabbos and Grand-reunion of Camp Gan Israel, taking place on the great day of the 24th of Teves, the 150th anniversary of the passing of the Old Rebbe, author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch, founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

The Old Rebbe had three great loves: he loved G-d, he loved the Torah and he loved all Jews, especially the Jewish children. And because he loved Jewish children so much, he insisted that all Jewish children should get a proper Jewish education, and he never tires of reminding also the parents about their duty to give their children the best Torah-true Jewish education.

One of the last letters, perhaps the very last which he wrote shortly before he passed away,¹ was to remind all of us about our duties - the duty of every Jew, young and old - to learn the Torah and to teach it to others, to practice kindness and charity, and to strengthen our attachment to G-d (through heartfelt prayer). He stressed that all things that we do in fulfilling our duties to G-d and to our fellow Jews, should be done with love, and this ensures the greatest measure of success.

You are fortunate to be members of the Mesibos Shabbos and campers of Gan Israel, where you are taught with love and devotion, the way and meaning of the true and happy life as befits children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah.

May G-d bless you all with success, to go from strength to strength along this happy and secure road in good health of both body and soul, so that you will be a source of blessing to yourselves, your parents and teachers, and to all our people.

With blessing

M. Schneerson