Thank You

Thank You

This past Sunday I was treated to a most wonderful surprise birthday party in honor of my turning 40 years old. My amazing wife Bassie together with many of you and my family put together a really meaningful and fulfilling event.

I know there are pictures taken of me when I came in capturing my surprised and delighted expression, but I wish that someone would have taken a panoramic picture to capture the scene that I was seeing. A virtual sea of beaming people with eyes shining with love. It is a scene I hope never to forget. There were lots of little surprises like the custom shot glasses that read, “I said L’Chaim at Rabbi Marcus’s 40^th”, and they were arranged in a large 40. there were the video presentations from my children and siblings and much more. But the part that means the most to me and one that I will cherish for many years to come was the Mitzvah Registry, where many of you took upon yourselves a mitzvah or many mitzvot in honor of my birthday. That is very special to me and is the greatest gift I could imagine.

A big big thank you to all that helped put this together, and to all those that came, and to all those that wanted to come, to all those that pledged Mitzvot, to all those that wrote cards and gifts. May G-d bless all of you with love, happiness, success, health, wealth, nachas, fulfillment of your dreams and hearts desires, peace and a meaningful life.

As I mentioned at the party, celebrating our birthdays is not because of how special we are or how accomplished and loved we are, which is always nice to hear and know, but rather a time to remember how important G-d thinks we are. He created us because only we can fulfill His cosmic dream and desire, go figure. And every year on our birthday and really every day we need to remember that and act with passion and intention, living in the moment and focusing on what our purpose is and how we can actualize it. Every mitzvah that we do and encourage others to do by teaching and by example, brings us closer to realizing G-d’s purpose for creating us and the entire universe.

The Rebbe asked that each one of us celebrate our birthdays not just privately but to invite family and friends and celebrate and reflect on the meaning of our lives and to make good resolutions to making it even more meaningful and purpose driven. To inspire ourselves and others around us to lead a more elevated, deeper and holy life, with vim and vigor. I am looking forward to being invited to your birthday celebrations.

You are all so wonderful and I am honored to be connected with you.

Again thank you so very much.

With much love and appreciation,

Rabbi Zalman Marcus

P.S. A special thank you to Wendy Lupul who not only took pictures and videos but posted them online as well.

Click here to view the photos

Click on the links below to watch the videos

  Bassie’s speech:  ·         Brother, et al, sing:   ·         Young Marcus’ speech: 

·         Rabbi’s speech: