1967–5727, the Rebbe sent his chief secretary, Rabbi Mordechai Hodakov, and leading Chabad activist Rabbi Shlomo Aharon Kazarnovsky, as his representatives to greet Israeli President Zalman Shazar in Montreal. Shazar was there for Expo 67 — a World’s Fair celebrating Canada’s centennial — but due to the escalating tensions in Israel preceding the Six-Day War, Shazar cancelled all scheduled meetings and made plans to return to Israel. Nevertheless, the Rebbe assured the two rabbis that Shazar would receive them, which he did. Shazar shared that he had spoken with the Rebbe on the phone, during which the Rebbe reassured him that the Jews in the Holy Land need not fear, referencing that week’s Torah portion: “[G-d] will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down with no one to frighten you.”
15 Iyar
