5712-1952, eleven years after the Previous Rebbe had proposed establishing an organization for yeshivah students, the Rebbe made it a reality. The Previous Rebbe had specified that it should be called Atah (acronym for ‘Iggud Talmidei Hayishivot — Yeshivah Students’ Association’) and the Rebbe spent most of the farbrengen on the Previous Rebbe’s yahrzeit discussing the details, including specifications for the cost and the minimum age of membership, the launch of separate divisions for boys and girls, and an additional branch for alumni. 10 Shevat
5739-1979, during a farbrengen, the Rebbe praised the announcement made by President Carter that in light of the great importance of education he would be establishing the US Department of Education. Previously, it had been under the portfolio of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Rebbe explained that making education a priority deserving of its own department, with the full attention of its own president-appointed secretary, is a positive development for the United States. 10 Shevat