By the Grace of G-d28th of Teveth, 5723Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greeting and Blessing:

I welcome with much joy and prayerful anticipation, the happy news of the Consecration of the New Building, preceded by the inauguration of the Annual Campaign. I trust that all friends of the Lubavitcher institutions, and Australian Jewry in general, will rise to the occasion with a worthwhile and sustained response.

We have just observed the 150th Yahrzeit-Hilulo of the Old Rebbe, author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch, founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, its school of thought and way of life. I want to take this occasion to emphasize that in his personal life (if it will be admissible to say “personal” in regard to him) the Old Rebbe exemplified all that he taught. Particularly pertinent to this occasion are three features which are fundamental in his teachings and way of life, of which he was a living example long before he became the recognized leader. First of all, there was the matter of helping his fellow-Jews, which comes under the general category of Tzedoko; then there was his consistent effort to spread the Torah; and, finally, what comprises the first two — the Torah-education of Jewish children.

In all these three areas the Old Rebbe excelled to an extraordinary degree. Thus, my father-in-law of saintly memory, whose 13th Yahrzeit we will observe on the 10th of Shevat (during the height of your campaign), has related a family tradition to the effort that prior to the Old Rebbe’s marriage, the young bridegroom made it a condition to be free to use his dowry as he saw fit. Immediately after his marriage he turned his substantial dowry into a fund for helping Jews economically, particularly those who agreed to engage in (entirely new to them) agricultural pursuits at his suggestion.¹ As for the spreading of the Torah, it is well known that he dedicated much of his time to teaching advanced Torah-scholars as well as beginners. He was most concerned also with educational facilities for the young, providing teachers for them, etc.

Of course, none of us can compare to the Old Rebbe, but every one of us, in his and her way, and to the utmost of one’s capacity, should be inspired to follow in his footsteps and emulate his ways. The Lubavitcher institutions in Melbourne offer a unique channel for implementing the above in a practical and meaningful way, and thereby meriting G-d’s blessings in all one’s needs, materially and spiritually.

With blessing for utmost success