The following is a freely-translated excerpt from a letter by the Rebbe dated 12 Adar II, 5719 (March 22, 1959):
In response to your letter of 29 Adar I, in which you write of the organization.... founded by yourself... and conclude with the proposal that I assume the title of "Honorary President" of this organization:
After thanking you for your good intentions, I am compelled to refuse this honor, in keeping with the custom of the [Chabad-Lubavitch] Rebbes... [who] as a rule, did not accept honorary titles. For as you so rightly describe the substance of this title, it carries "no obligation or actual work." This is contrary to our approach, [which is] to actively participate in everything that carries our name, or to actively participate in things that do not carry our name, but certainly not to receive an honorary title that is without active involvement...1
