Thursday was the annual get together in Crown Heights of kids that rarely meet in person: Students of the Shluchim Online School.

The shining stars of the world, the Nigri International Shluchim Online School students, joined for a grand program Thursday at the Chovevei Torah hall in Crown Heights, as part of the annual Kinus Yaldei Hashluchim.

Over 150 fathers, students, relatives, teachers and friends attended the program. The students met their classmates and teachers, some for the very first time at the school's annual Day of Celebration.

This year, they celebrated the students, the shining stars of the world. As Yosef Rapoport, a 7th grade student from Clark Summit, PA who skillfully emceed the program, said: "The Talmidim are the shining stars of the school, who are the shining stars of their Shlichus; and the shining stars that illuminate the entire world."

A special video montage was created by the students, demonstrating their achievements and talents.

Rabbi Gedalya Shemtov, the director of the Shluchim office inspired the crowd with his speech on Shluchim's roles.

While enjoying a homemade and delicious lunch by Zelda's Catering, Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz, of Boise, ID, representing the parents, connected the theme of stars to the Parsha and inspired the students in their roles as stars, specifically to shine brightest during the darkest times.

A Nigun medley was performed, thanks to the 4th grade class and their Rebbis- Rabbi Gajer and Rabbi Gotfryd.

"It is no coincidence that the גמטריא of כוכבי השמים, stars in the sky, is in fact the same גמטריא as ילדי השלוחים," Berel Marozow of Cleveland, OH said. This is Berel's first year in a Lubavitch school and he told us about how being in a school for Shluchim brought out the shining star in him.

Moshe Blesofsky, of Iowa City, IA thanked the teachers for turning the students into shining stars. A special thank you was given to Rabbi Moshe Shemtov, Mrs. Gitty Rosenfeld, and Rabbi Yossi Goodman, who deserve tremendous recognition for all their involvement and dedication to every aspect of the Shluchim Online School.

The rest of the day was filled with the excitement as the students enjoyed their treat at the Ice Cream House, a jeopardy game show, and a delicious home cooked supper.

85 students are now excited to continue to continue their learning with renewed Chayus as they now experienced a real live / personal day with their classmates and teachers.

The program was a great success, thanks to Mrs. Mushky Lipsker, director of all school programs and Ms. Toby Herman our school administrator.

For more info, visit ShluchimOnlineSchool.com