By the Grace of G-dErev Shabbos Mevorchim Sivan, 5740 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I extend cordial greetings and prayerful wishes to the worthy Chairman, Honored Guests, and all participants in this event.

Since the banquet is taking place in close proximity to Shovuos, the Festival of Mattan Torah, it will surely focus attention on the vital importance of Torah education. Especially in the present day and age of appalling confusion in regard to even basic moral values, not only on the individual level but also on the national and international scene. We Jews should therefore appreciate more than ever how truly blessed we are in having our G-d-given Torah - Torah-Or, Toras Emes, and Toras Chayim - to guide us and sustain us with its Light, Truth, and Life.

Thus, as we are about to celebrate the Festival of Mattan Torah and Kabbolas haTorah - the Giving and Receiving of the Torah and Mitzvos at Sinai, we reaffirm our acceptance of it in the spirit of total commitment and joy, as it was received at Sinai. Moreover, it calls for renewed dedication to Torah-true education, to ensure that our children and children’s children - all Jewish children - would keep and cherish our eternal heritage for all times.

Needless to say, the success of such Torah education is greatly enhanced when it is imbued with enthusiasm and vitality. This, too, is especially relevant to Shovuos, the Yahrzeit of the Baal Shem Tov, the Founder of General Chassidus and predecessor of Chabad-Lubavitch, with emphasis on love, joy, and enthusiasm in all aspects of Yiddishkeit.

This is the spirit that permeates the Chabad-Lubavitch educational institutions and activities in Florida, as in all parts of the world, which are conducted in the spirit of my father-in-law of saintly memory. I am confident that the Florida Friends of Lubavitch appreciate the Zechus of being partners in this vital cause and will show it in their consistent and growing support. This will also widen the channels to receive G-d's blessings in a growing measure, in all needs, materially and spiritually.

With the traditional Shovuos blessing to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness, and

With blessing for Hatzlocho in all above,

 M. Schneerson