By the Grace of G-d 17th of Teves, 5740 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I am pleased to acknowledge receipt of your letter of Dec. 10th, in which you write about the preparations to celebrate the completion of 25 years in the service of the Jewish community of your esteemed Chief Rabbi Pinchas Brener.

I am precluded — by custom and practice — to join any committee, however worthy. I regret, therefore, that I cannot accede to your request.

However, I do wish to express my gratification at noting how much the community appreciates the dedicated service of your distinguished Chief Rabbi. This is surely clear testimony that he enjoys the fullest cooperation of the leaders and members of [the] community in carrying out his duties, and even going beyond the call of his duties, in fostering and strengthening Yiddishkeit, Torah and Mitzvoth, in the fullest measure.

Since “all things of holiness should be on the ascendancy,” I trust that both the cooperation as well as the resulting achievements will continue to advance from strength to strength. Especially as it is surely encouraging to see the widespread search for Jewish identity particularly among our Jewish youth, and their response to Torah-true leadership. It is a challenge and opportunity which, I trust, your esteemed Chief Rabbi and worthy community will make the most of in the years ahead.

I take this opportunity of conveying to you my personal appreciation of the help and cooperation extended to our Lubavitch representatives in your city and country. I am confident that in this area, too, the concerted efforts to spread the light of Torah and will grow and expand, in keeping with the spirit and message of Chanukah which we have just celebrated, as reflected in the lighting of the Chanukah lights in increased numbers from day to day.

With esteem and blessing, M.Schneerson