(YWN VIDEO & PHOTO LINKS AT END OF ARTICLE) Over four thousand Chabad Lubavitch emissaries (Shluchim) and lay leaders from 73 countries converged on Lubavitch World Headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, this weekend for the 25th annual “International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries.”
The high point of the conference was on Sunday night, when emissaries joined with supporters and lay leaders for a gala banquet at Manhattan’s Pier 94. The banquet’s proceedings included a special address by former Israeli ambassador Yehuda Avner. In addition, Jewish Educational Media unveiled an original video production that highlights the interconnectedness of Jewish communities around the globe.
The highlight of the evening was the annual “Roll Call” reading of countries and states across the globe where there is a Shliach located. It is read by Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Director and MC of the Kinus Hashluchim Banquet.
This writer was emotionally moved upon hearing the list being read, and when thousands of people spontaneously jumped up and began dancing upon the completion of the Roll Call.
YWN has captured the highlight of the evening on video for our readers:
VIDEO & PHOTO LINKS: Click HERE for YWN video, and click HERE for photos.
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
12 Responses
yasherkoyach for posting this great event!
The tremendous work Chabad has done all over the world is appreciated by everyone.
IY”H we will all dance with Moshiach!
Go to any country in the world and you’ll find 2 things – Coca Cola and a Chabad House. And if you go into the Chabad House they’ll give you as much Coke as you want, plus food. Chabad is ready to help anybody anywhere. Their mesiras nefesh is legendary.
#2 – what coke are you referring to when you say they will give you as much as you want? You may agree or choose to disagree with their movement and philosophy, that is your choice but a sarcastic knock is uncalled for on this wonderful sight. If you watch the video even if you are a non believer,you cannot help but be impressed with what you see. Give them the credit they deserve.
From someone who has already attended this banquet in the past, I can tell you that it is certainly one of the most impressive Jewish get-togethers which I have ever experienced. Besides being VERY well organized, you literally have an army of dedicated Yidden who are making shlichus their LIFETIME mission, and spanning all corners of the globe. For the majority of the shluchim attending, this is their one time a year, when they have an opportunity to meet up with chaverim and family and spend time in a frum community.
We may not all agree with everything they do etc., but we certainly must recognize the important and successful work which they do in most remote (physically and spiritually) areas of the world.
#3-I didn’t think his remark was sarcastic at all. IMO, he was prasing not Chabad not knocking them. Go Chabad!!!!
to #3:
Diet Coke, of course! Chabad doesn’t believe in regular Coke because it has too many calories!
But if you were referring to which brand, Chabad only uses Coca Cola, because Shasta Cola is just not on par.
By the way, Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky is also the Director of Chabad (the organization) Worldwide, and was in the Forwrd 50 most influential list this year.
Wow!! Amazing stuff! Is it just me or is it hard to watch this without getting tears in your eyes?? What this organization does for yiddishkeit around the globe is staggering. The Ahavas Yisroel in that ballroom is boundless. I’ve had business dealings with some of these sheluchim around the country and one after the other, they are just a pleasure. Chazak V’ematz!!
The “shluchim” are the TRUE Chabadskers. They alone represent Chabad. Much of the “controversy” is created by those who claim to be Chabadskers, but fail to follow in the direction provided by the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt”l.
Whenever I hear someone critical of Chabad I ask them, “Tell me, what, if anything, have YOU done for Klal Yisroel?”
Chabad isn’t just kiruv rechokim. It is helping another Yid whomever he may be. I benefitted from their hospitality when I travelled and was stuck for Shabbos in a G-d Forsaken place. They didn’t care if I was a black hatter, shtriemel wearer, or kippa sruga. I enjoyed the beautiful divrei Torah at the Shaliach’s shabbos table – it was actually quite lomdish, and we were mi’falpel in the inyan for a long time. And at shachris the next morning, in the small minyan, I was given Maftir! You can’t beat that!!
In my community everyone knows that in my presence no one dare mock or criticize Chabad in any way because I wouldn’t tolerate it. My Rov Shlitah proudly says that our shul is a Litvish shul which is “Chabad Friendly”.
So to all you “shluchim” I say a collective yasher kochachem!!
It is amazing and humbling to see so many people in one room who have dedicated their entire lives to helping others unconditionally all over the world.
#3 –
What’s your problem? Sounds like you need a couple of days vacation or something.
Goldenpupik – like your style!