Yeshiva Holds ‘Kinus Hashluchim’

Reporting by a bochur

A little over three weeks ago bochurim in Yeshivas Lubavitch in Cincinnati found in their rooms personalized invitations to the Kinus Hashluchim. Reading it carefully they realized this wasn’t an invitation to the international convention in New York, but to a similar one in Cincinnati.

The invitation explained that bochurim have a Shlichus of their own – Limud HaTorah – and that they also deserve recognition. They were invited to stay in zal the following night after Ma’ariv for a briefing on the grand “Mivtza Shlichus.”

The next night the bochurim were introduced to the Mivtza: bochurim who will do their Shlichus (which is Limud HaTorah) will be invited to attend a special Kinus Hashluchim banquet in a decorated hall in Cincinnati.

They could get tested on Gemara, Mishnayos, Kitzur, Maamorim, Sichos, Hayom Yom, and on Rabbi Avtzon’s Moshiach books, and earn “dollars” printed specifically for this Mivtza. To enter the banquet they would need $770, and they could also use these dollars (as well as any other dollars they earn) to participate in a grand auction involving thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes.

Over the next two weeks, the bochurim put everything aside, utilizing every break and every moment to “chap arein” another Maamar, SIcha, etc. The zal was packed at every hour of the day; an intense vibe of Limud HaTorah had taken over the the Yeshiva.

As Shabbos Mevorchim approached, bochurim were competing to the bitter end; they wanted to rest assured they have more money than their colleagues to beat them in the auction. Others were still struggling to earn the entrance fee; the excitement was growing.

The Kinus

Preparations for the Kinus at their peak, yet bochurim had no idea what was in store for them. At 6:00 on Sunday evening, all the Bochurim showed up at zal in their Shabbos suits for Ma’ariv. After a short speech by one of the Shluchim, bochurim were dismissed by Shiur to… a stretch Limo to be driven to the Grand Kinus Hashluchim of Cincinnati in a hall nearby.

The program began with a video of the Rebbe – Yechidus Klolis to Talmidei Hayeshivos Nun Beis, where the Rebbe instructs the bochurim to finish the entire Torah, learn without any boundaries, and be so devoted to Torah that one’s dreams should be Chidushei Torah.

Throughout the evening, while being served the different courses, the bochurim were inspired by several speakers: Rabbi Gershon Avtzon spoke about the main job of a Bochur being Limud HaTorah and how much all the Shluchim across the world miss their years in Yeshiva, he also thanked the Talmidim Hashluchim for creating this incredible Mivtza and putting in much effort to make it happen; Rabbi Benarousse inspired the bochurim to take hachlatos from the Mivtza to continue learning even in their free time; Guest Speaker Rabbi Yossi Bryski related some fascinating stories of the impact of Torah on people’s lives and how much we have to dedicate ourselves to it; and Rabbi Kalmanson told the story of Rosh Chodesh Kislev with incredible description and background.

Next, a lively dancing led by musician Hashliach Mendy Kraus took place to celebrate the Yom Tov of Rosh Chodesh Kislev and the great learning achievement of the bochurim present, fulfilling their personal Shlichus.

After the main course, the rules of the auction led by Rabbi Yossi Bryski were announced and the action began. Bochurim used their hard-earned money to buy sets of Likkutei Sichos, a bike, Beats audio earphones, Likkutei Diburim, and dozens of other valuable prizes; almost every bochur walked out with at least one prize.

After a delicious dessert and benching with the benchers made exclusively for the Kinus, Rabbi Kalmanson was called upon to draw the name that would win a dollar of the Rebbe (provided by Yisroel Ber and Chaya Kaplan and family) and large picture of the Rebbe. As all eyes faced him, he announced the name… Mendy Ginsburg, who emotionally picked up his prize resulting in yet another dance. The evening ended with all the bochurim receiving a certificate recognizing their work and posing for a group picture, followed by a Farbreingen back in Yeshiva.

The Mivtza had a huge impact on the bochurim in the Yeshiva. As one of the bochurim put it, “I must admit, this Mivtza really changed my whole attitude to learning; it gave me a gishmak.” Other bochurim said how accomplished they feel, and how they now realize it’s actually realistic for them to learn a Maamar, Sicha etc. by heart, and to enjoy it while doing so.

The Talmidim Hashluchim would like to take this opportunity to thank the hanholo for all their dedication and support, as well as all those who assisted with this beautiful Mivtza, and really made this project happen. May you receive all the Brochos you need behashmiyus uberuchniyus in the zchus of all the learning.