The telephone rang in Rabbi Ephraim Wolf’s office one wintry December morning in 1969. “My boss, Israeli Minister of Immigration Mr. Lova Eliav, would like to see you,” the secretary said. Rabbi Wolf, head of the Lubavitcher yeshivah network in Eretz Yisrael, gladly arranged an appointment.

“I’ve been considering an innovative idea,” began Mr. Eliav. “Large numbers of Georgian Jews are now arriving in Eretz Yisrael, and more are expected. I have heard that Lubavitch has had connections with this community for decades. We are planning to build 300 new apartments in Kiryat Malachi.1 Perhaps some Lubavitchers would be willing to settle in this community together with the new immigrants.”

Rabbi Wolf responded eagerly, and the new community was planned.

Later, it became apparent that Mr. Eliav’s idea was not so original.

A few months earlier, in September, Reb Avraham Tauber of Ashkelon had asked the Rebbe about his future. He had considering moving from Ashkelon, because the town only had a small religiously observant community.

The Rebbe had replied to him: “Stay in Ashkelon for now. An observant community will be established close to Ashkelon soon.”