January 7, 2003

Rabbi Boruch Oberlander
Chabad-Lubavitch of Hungary
Budapest, Hungary

Dear Rabbi Oberlander;

On this inspiring occasion of Budapest's first post-World War II ordination of an Orthodox rabbi born and educated in Hungary, I want to congratulate the Hungarian Jewish community and the Republic of Hungary as well as you and the Chabad-Lubavitcher movement. I particularly want to extend a heartfelt Mazeltov to Shlomo Koves on his ordination.

As a native of Budapest and a survivor of the Holocaust, the rejuvenation of the Hungarian Jewish community and other Jewish communities throughout Central Europe following the decimation the Jewish community suffered under Nazi Germany is one of the most deeply gratifying developments I can imagine, I am particularly pleased that my native Hungary, which has seen so much tragedy and strife, is now infused with a spirit of tolerance and freedom sufficient to make today's ceremony - once unthinkable - a reality.

It is my hope that this auspicious event and the optimism it symbolizes will be remembered as a milestone on the path to ever - greater dynamism in the Jewish community and ever - stronger democracy for all Hungarians

Most cordially

Tom Lantos
Member of Congress