By COLlive reporter
A group of Shluchos have joined to help their fellow community leaders to attend the annual Kinus convention in New York who otherwise would not be able to attend due to lack of funds.
The initiative, started 2 years ago as an email campaign, has grown into a full fledged effort to assist shluchos from overseas who cannot afford the airfare to join their fellow shluchos at the annual Kinus Convention.
“The kinus was really important to the Rebbe – so important that the fee for the actual kinus was not allowed to be more than just a symbolic amount, with the Rebbe covering the rest of it,” one Shlucha told COLlive. “Shluchos who come in for the Kinus gain their inspiration for the year – enabling them to return to their communities and serve them with strength, joy and all that it takes to be a shlucha – especially in some of these far flung places!”
The first year 15 Shluchos were helped with funds for tickets, she says, and last year the number grew to 30 shluchos, with over $30,000 plus thousands of airline miles raised. The Shluchos who were helped didn’t merely attend the conference, as many of them served on panels and spoke for the shluchos or for local organizations.
“We can do that again with the help of COLlive readers,” she says. “You can put a smile on a Shlucha’s face. Any amount is helpful as every dollar adds up!”
The group has received requests for tickets that cost $1,000 – $2,000 each. To make any size donation specifically for this cause please go to http://www.chabadhousestamford.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/2430357/jewish/Kinus-Flights.htm
to donate miles please send an email to [email protected]
If you or someone you know was not planning on attending due to lack of funds please follow the same link to apply for a funded ticket. Requests need to be in by Wednesday, 29 Teves, Jan 1. We will do our best to accommodate as many shluchos as possible based on criteria such as those who haven’t been to a kinus for a while, live far out without other shluchim around….
With much thanks to all of you, COLLive readers, who help out to make a Shlucha’s year that much more successful!!
Dinie Freundlich – Beijing China
Leah Shemtov – Stamford, CT
Chanie Krinsky – Needham, MA
I accept your respect. But I think there is a HUGE difference between helping put basic simple food on the table for a KA”H big family, that barely manages to be able to pay for simple living expenses; Food, Rent, Heat, etc. That this is equal to and on-par with flying to NY, paying thousands for tickets, eating lavish meals, etc. that all that is equal to giving tzedaka to help someone who is in need! If there is a choice to be made – THERE IS A MITZVAH TO HELP FEED ANOTHER WHO REALLY NEEDS HELP, there is absolutely… Read more »
ua18
Mr. Benjy Stock, with all due respect……. one does not take away from the other…… those women, that devote their life to the Rebbe’s causes, spread all over the world, and very often lonely and in very difficult conditions, have the absolute right, to get at least once a year the change to join the Kinnus, and their families, to get warmth, chizuk, and strength, to cherish when they go back to continue the amazing job they are doing…….
If you people don’t know what to do $1,000 + I can give you 500+ reasons right here in CH!
food comes before fun.
Benjy you da man! keep up the great work.
You have no idea what incredible inspiration is gained for women during chof beis shvat!! To a Lubavitcher Shlucha, that connection to the Rebbe is EVEN MORE important than food – it is food for her neshama!!!!!
I think if it’s a question of feeding a needy, hungry family, with young children – who can’t make ends meet, or paying thousands of dollars for airplane tickets & hoopla – I think it’s obvious what the answer should be!
Benjy Stock
CSSY
Thank you!
So thoughtful. I hope every Shlucha gets to go. It must be tough living do far from anash, kosher food and all the challenges they face. I’m sure a weekend like this is very uplifting and inspirational!
Brocha 😉
I think this is really a wonderful cause. I just hope that women who really can afford to fly won’t take advantage of this program just because they can. Money is tight for many of us, but even tighter for others.