THE REBBE WELCOMES THE GUESTS FROM LONDON

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On Tuesday night, the 21st of Tammuz 5721 (1961) the first chartered flight from England to 770 landed, with about 120 English and European Jews on board. the Rebbe MH”M held a special welcoming farbrengen for the guests. This unique farbrengen began at 3:30 AM…

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The legendary Reb ZALMAN Jaffe, an English businessman and devoted Chassid, who was the organizer of the charter flight, writes in his diary:

“It was nearly 3:00 in the morning when we finally arrived at 770 Eastern Parkway, the headquarters of the Lubavitcher movement. Refreshments had been thoughtfully provided for us and whilst about 400 people who were present were singing niggunim, friends and relatives were being reunited.

What a thrill and reward it was for me to see families that had in some cases not seen each other in thirty years or more, weeping and crying for joy, and blessing those who had made this flight possible.

…We were now indeed waiting for that moment, the highlight of our visit, our first meeting with our beloved and revered Lubavitcher Rebbe.

At 3:30am on the dot, there was a sudden hush, an almost unnatural silence, and a passageway was miraculously cleared in the midst of the tightly packed crowd of men and boys who lined the side of the hall.

What a thrilling moment as, with head erect and with light but resolute steps, the Lubavitcher Rebbe strode to the dais and seated himself in solitary state at the table, surrounded by a semi-circle of about fifty rabbonim. He gave a wonderful and welcoming smile to me.

Everyone drank to his health and said “L’chaim” and the Rebbe replied to each one with “L’chaim v’livrocho.” That the Rebbe should welcome us personally at 3:30 in the morning was a remarkable and unprecedented honor and a stimulating experience. We were all very conscious of this extraordinary gesture.

The special group stayed by the Rebbe for two weeks, receiving many Kiruvim from the Rebbe.