Over the past several years, the video and audio archiving community across the world has been hit with the realization that magnetic media were never intended for long term preservation. Video and audio recordings are simply going bad over time. There is a race under way to save hundreds of millions of audio and video recordings, and companies are working to migrate their media to more secure long-term formats. This is true for archives, television networks, libraries and private collections.

The original recordings of the Rebbe are in no better condition. Simply put, the archival masters are beginning to degrade. Over the past ten years we have devoted as many resources as possible to gathering, restoring and preserving these materials – for our own sake, for our children, and for all of Klal Yisroel.

The time has come, however, for a serious, committed effort, to restore and preserve these archives in an organized, strategic manner.

We are pleased to inform you that as part of this effort, and with the help of a group of committed individuals, WLCC has transferred to JEM their entire video, audio and photo collections of the Rebbe.

It is our intention to restore, preserve – and ultimately, to provide access – to these priceless treasures. Their tremendous concern for the future of these materials is the principle reason that the owners of WLCC – Rabbis Chaim Boruch Halberstam and Sholom Ber Eber – have worked so closely with us on this matter.

Over the coming months and years, you can look forward to stepped-up activities by us in the areas of restoration, preservation and access.

We’ve established a website where you can learn about developments concerning the collection: www.jemedia.org.

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As Lubavitchers, we’re used to “getting things done.” And over the past ten years, we’ve done just that: Through technology, we’ve brought many previously-unseen treasures from the archive into your living room.

However, this work requires us to think differently. The effort to restore, preserve and catalog thousands of hours of audio and video and hundreds of thousands of photos, is difficult, expensive, and painstaking work. Although this effort will take some time, we will be seeking creative ways to provide access to portions of the material in the shorter term.

We look forward to hearing your input and ideas for how to better utilize and provide access to this collection. Please share your thoughts with us at www.jemstore.com/ContactUs.

May we merit Moshiach’s coming, when we will once again be broadcasting from Beis Chayneu, live.



Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin and the JEM Team