For 70 years, the Iron Curtain crushed Jewish life in Russia. Torah, tefillin, and Shabbos were policed and punished. Millions of Jews sat trapped with almost no way out.

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Now those gates are open. Russia helps Jews reach Eretz Yisrael and lets them practice Judaism freely and openly. In 1991, the Rebbe said the physical world itself is now ready to bring the Geula, and America shows it by leading in education and kindness, sending planes to help nations that offer nothing in return.

(See Sefer Hasichos vol. 2, Acharei-Kedoshim 5751, pg. 516–519)