By the Grace of G-d Isru-Chag haShovuos, 5745 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

It is both significant and propitious that the Annual Banquet is taking place in the month of Sivan, within a week from the Festival of Mattan-Torah. The inspiration of the Festival of our receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, which we re-experience annually at this time with renewed dedication and commitment, is surely quite vivid in everyone's mind.

One of the most basic commitments upon our receiving the Torah has been to transmit the Torah and Mitzvos to our children and children's children from generation to generation. This we solemnly reaffirm day after day, twice every day, morning and evening, and twice each time, in the first and second section of the Shema, the high point of our daily prayers, namely: "You shall diligently teach them (the Torah and Mitzvos) to your children."

Needless to say, a most diligent Torah-true Chinuch, permeated with the pure light of Torah and Mitzvos, is required to meet this paramount obligation.

This is the kind of Torah education that is permanently engraved upon the heart and soul of the Jewish child, in accordance with the rule: "Educate the youngster in the proper way, so that when he grows old he will not depart from it." We are symbolically reminded of it by the Menorah in the Beis Hamikdosh of old, which had to be lit in a way that the flame should "rise up" and continue to shine brightly of its own accord - as taught in the Sedra Bha'alose'cho on the Shabbos immediately preceding the Banquet.

This is the kind of Torah education that the Oholei Torah schools are dedicated to. I confidently trust that all supporters of Torah, especially friends of Oholei Torah, will do their best to help keep the flame of Torah and Yiddishkeit burning brightly through your generous support. Though a "must" for its own sake, this will also keep wide open the channels to receive G-d's blessings in all needs, materially and spiritually.

With prayerful wishes to the Honored Guests and all of you and yours for Hatzlocho in all above, and

With esteem and blessing

M. Schneerson