Shliach Praises Prime Minister

Here is the text from Rabbi Zaltzman’s speech:

Prime Minister, honored guests,

It is my distinct honor and pleasure to stand before you, Prime Minister and to deliver remarks recognizing your extraordinary achievements, your outstanding character and your principled commitment to democracy and human rights.

Through his vision and leadership the Lubavitcher Rebbe, established Chabad Lubavitch as the largest network of Jewish social and educational institutions with over 4,000 centers internationally.

In 1980, as his emissaries, my wife and I established the Jewish Russian Community Center to serve the needs of the Russian speaking community in Ontario.

The JRCC maintains 8 vibrant branches operating afternoon schools, camps, furniture bank, youth clubs and integration centers for new immigrants.

We offer a variety of crucial educational and humanitarian programming for the nearly 400,000 Ontarians that have roots in the Former Soviet Union including 50,000 Jews. Incredibly, the JRCC has been effective in reaching out to Canadian Russians throughout the country with “Exodus” it’s very popular monthly Russian and English magazines.

In my capacity as the senior rabbi of the JRCC I have worked very closely with the Russian Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for nearly 20 years. I am very proud that they took the initiative of creating the Man of the Year Award for the Right Honorable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally congratulate you, our beloved Prime Minister. There is no one I can think of who is more deserving of this award. I am only disappointed that you are merely being recognized as man of the year, you ought to be recognized as man of the decade.

Your contributions to allowing people to serve the creator in peace and with respect and freedom in Canada and abroad will serve as your eternal legacy. You are the truest champion of human rights. Your unwavering and principled support to our brothers and sisters in Israel – 1.3 million of whom are Russian speaking is a testament to both your morality and your courage. You are a shining beacon of light and clarity in this often dark and confused world.

I am honored to be part of the Russian speaking community of Canada bestowing the title of Man of the Year for 2012 on you, Prime Minister and I wish you continued success and blessings in all your endeavors.
May G-d bless you give you the strength and wisdom to lead our country and May G-d bless Canada.

Please accept this gift from the JRCC as a small token of our appreciation.