UNITED STATE SENATOR
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510

January 6, 2003

Rabbi Boruch Oberlander
Chabad-Lubavitch Hungary
Wesselenyi u. 4
Budapest, Hungary

Dear Rabbi Oberlander,

Please convey my greeting and best wishes to those gathered to celebrate the historic rabbinical ordination ceremony of Rabbi Shlomo D. Koves. I understand this is the first Orthodox rabbinical ordination bestowed on someone born, raised and educated in Hungary since World War II. I fondly remember my visit with you in Budapest several years ago and regret that I could not be there again to witness this great occasion myself.

As you know, my wife, Hadassah, was born in Eastern Europe and her parents survived the Holocaust. They settled in the United States and her father, also a rabbi, served his community for many years with distinction. How wonderful it is that we are able to see the day when Jewish life flourishes in Hungary once again, and that your government leaders have chosen to join you in marking this milestone. I hope the leadership and people of Hungary will continue to help build a better, brighter future, for themselves, for Europe, and the rest of the world.

With my best wished on this historic occasion,

Sincerely

Joseph I. Lieberman
United States Senator