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75-Year-Old Letter From the Rebbe Brews Inspiration in Arizona

Just one day before Rabbi Moishy Korf was scheduled to deliver coffee-themed presentations at two Arizona Chabad Houses, a 75-year-old letter from the Rebbe about coffee came to light, adding an unexpected touch of hashgacha protis to both events • Full Story

Sometimes, the timing is almost too perfect.

Just one day before two Arizona Chabad Houses were scheduled to host “The Caffeinated Rabbi’s” presentation on the secret Jewish history of coffee, a Hebrew translation of a 75-year-old letter from the Rebbe surfaced, containing a fascinating lesson drawn from coffee itself.

Rabbi Moishy Korf, known as “The Caffeinated Rabbi,” was preparing to present at Chabad of Fountain Hills and Chabad of the East Valley when the letter caught his attention. The correspondence, dating to 5711 (1951), is set to appear in an upcoming volume of the Rebbe’s English letters.

In the letter, addressed to Mr. David Bubis of Nashville, Tennessee, a businessman in the coffee industry, the Rebbe draws a powerful lesson from coffee itself.

“It is the nature of all stimulants that the stimulant itself does not supply new sources of energy. It merely arouses latent sources of energy already present within the person,” the Rebbe writes.

“A Jew neither wishes, nor is able, to sever his bond with G-d. Yet for one reason or another, it sometimes happens that a particular instance calls for an external stimulus to bring him or her to a recognition of this bond. Such a stimulus may come in the form of a warm word one hears, a good example one sees, and the like.

“However, every Jewish man and woman must know that they possess a never-ceasing wellspring from which to draw the inspiration to live according to the Torah and mitzvos.”

For Rabbi Korf, who enjoys uncovering the Jewish stories behind coffee, this letter was too good not to share.

He immediately prepared an English translation of the relevant passages and researched the letter’s recipient, identifying him as the founder of Nashville’s American Ace Coffee, established in 1919. Rabbi Korf also found a historical photograph of Mr. Bubis, putting a face to the name behind the Rebbe’s correspondence.

By the following day, the letter, its message, and the history behind it had become part of both Arizona presentations, alongside the program’s exploration of Jewish history, halachic discussions, Kabbalistic teachings, and specialty coffee.

“Rabbi Korf gave a fascinating and engaging presentation, bringing together Jewish history, Torah insights, and the world of coffee in a truly unique way,” said Rabbi Mendy Lipskier, director of Chabad of Fountain Hills. “But what made the evening especially meaningful was the remarkable hashgacha protis. Just as our community was gathering for this presentation, a letter from the Rebbe written 75 years ago, drawing a powerful lesson from coffee, came to light. It felt as though we were receiving a fresh message from the Rebbe, perfectly timed for our community.”

“It was a beautiful reminder that the Rebbe’s teachings are as relevant and personal today as when they were first written,” Rabbi Lipskier said.