After 30 Years, Aguch and Badatz Announce Joint Cooperation

A historic and significant milestone for the Crown Heights community, Anash and shluchim worldwide was marked this week as Agudas Chassidei Chabad (Aguch) and the Badatz of Crown Heights issued official letters announcing their joint cooperation and commitment to working together.

The development follows over three decades of a rift between the two organizations that developed after Gimmel Tammuz, and now brings together two of the most central institutions in Lubavitch: Agudas Chassidei Chabad, the umbrella organization established by the Frierdiker Rebbe and headed by the Rebbe, and the Badatz of Crown Heights, the rabbinical body entrusted with the leadership of the Crown Heights community.

The announcement follows a meeting between members and representatives of the two institutions, held on Wednesday, 24 Cheshvan, in which they agreed to work together and strengthen cooperation between the organizations.

Both letters emphasize a shared commitment to cooperation and advancing the interests of the Crown Heights community and Anash at large.

In its official letter, dated Thursday, 2 Kislev, Agudas Chassidei Chabad welcomed the results of the meeting and expressed its appreciation for the cooperation between the two institutions.

In a separate letter addressed to the Crown Heights community, the Badatz announced the agreement and expressed its hope that the cooperation would lead to further positive developments. The letter, signed by Harav Avrohom Osdoba and Harav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, also bears the endorsement of Harav Sholom Dovber Chaikin, rov of the Chabad community in Cleveland.

Letter from Agudas Chassidei Chabad (freely translated)

Thursday, 2 Kislev 5787

To the esteemed Rabbonim, members of the Badatz, shlita:

With joy and pleasure, we have received the letter of the Badatz regarding the results of the meeting of the members of the Badatz of Crown Heights, shlita, together with the representatives of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.

We welcome with blessing the cooperation between us, for the sake of the honor of the Rebbe and for achdus among Chassidim.

With blessings that peace should prevail in our midst, always bringing the Rebbe much nachas.

Letter from the Crown Heights Badatz (freely translated)

To the honorable members of the Crown Heights community, sheyichyu:

On Wednesday, 24 Cheshvan 5787, after many years, we met together, representatives of the leadership of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, together with the Rabbonim of the Crown Heights Badatz.

Following the clarification and discussion of the matters, we are pleased to publicly announce that the organization and structure of Aguch are in accordance with the wishes of the Rebbe.

Accordingly, we welcome and bless the initiative to work together with Anash through achdus and cooperation, to bring nachas ruach to the Rebbe.

May it be Hashem’s will that the blessing of peace prevail in our midst, to bring much nachas to the Rebbe, and may we soon merit the true and complete Geulah.

With honor and blessing.