By the Grace of G-d 23rd of Adar I, 5738 Brooklyn, N. Y.

Greeting and Blessing;

This is to acknowledge receipt of your recent correspondence.

I was gratified to read about your personal efforts in connection with the Chabad Inaugural Banquet. As in the case of all good things, I trust that the success of the event will stimulate even greater dedication on the part of all participants in this event, as well as in the forthcoming dedication of the Chabad Russian Synagogue. There is surely no need to elaborate on the great Zechus of these activities to spread and strengthen Yiddishkeit in the region.

Since we are now in the auspicious month of Adar - and this year, a Leap year, we have two months of Adar - when, as the Megilla tells us, "For the Jews there was light, joy, gladness and honor," may G-d grant that this should be so for all Jews everywhere, both in the plain sense of these words, as well as in their inner meaning, as our Sages interpret them, namely, "Light - this is Torah... Honor - this is Tefillin," since for a Jew the material and spiritual must go hand in hand together.

Wishing you and yours a joyous and inspiring Purim,

With blessing

M. Schneerson