A suicidal teenager was about to end it all. Overwhelmed by the world’s problems, he was depressed and felt like life had no meaning. He had been in and out of psychiatric hospitals when his friend told him as a last ditch effort, he should write a letter to a holy rabbi in Brooklyn. With nothing to lose, the young man wrote the letter, not expecting an answer, but hoping perhaps the rabbi might be able to help him with his problems.

That rabbi was the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the long-time leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. A visionary leader who revitalised Jewish life globally following the holocaust, the Rebbe provided spiritual and emotional guidance to tens of thousands. He is best known for establishing a network of emissaries, or “shluchim”, who helped transform Jewish life in over 111 countries, and who shared the Rebbe’s message of light and love with humanity.

Despite his extremely busy schedule, the Rebbe responded to the troubled teen. Rather than coddling him, the Rebbe gave him a challenge. “You must get away from yourself, and begin to think of others,” he wrote. “It is time to begin an active participation in society; to give, and to give generously. The opportunities are many and the need is great.”