Brazil Shliach Suprises Kinus

By COLlive reporter

Thousands of Chabad-Lubavitch Shluchim attended a general session Motzei Shabbos where they were addressed by the leaders of Chabad’s central organizations.

Following a Shabbos filled with Farbrengens and a Melave Malka meal at Oholei Torah, participants of the Kinus Hashluchim headed to Campus Chomesh in Crown Heights.

The MC was Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz, Head Shliach of Illinois.

A video was shown of a Yechidus the Rebbe had with a group of lay leaders. The Rebbe was seen advising one of them on the education of his children.

An example of the power of education and Shlichus was demonstrated in a speech by Rabbi Shabtai Alperin, Head Shliach of Brazil.

“During my 49 years on Shlichus, I’ve encountered many special stories, but I wish to tell you one of them,” he began.

Rabbi Alperin told of a youngster who attended his classes and would “nudge” him with many questions about Judaism.

“It took some time until he agreed to enter the Chabad House, and gradually got close to us. Now, allow me to introduce him to you – our fellow Shliach Rabbi Shlomo Levy,” he called out.

The crowd gave them both a standing ovation.

Other speakers included Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov, Chairman of Lubavitch Youth Organization in Israel and Chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, who mentioned the Mumbai terror attack in his remarks and called to strengthen Chanukah activities.

Rabbi Krinsky also mentioned the Schneerson Archive still held captive by the Russian government and the efforts to redeem it.

Russia’s Chief Rabbi and Shliach Berel Lazar was scheduled to speak, but did not attend as his wife gave birth last week.

Rabbi Avraham Shemtov, Chairman of International Agudas Chassidei Chabad, presented a plan to launch a campaign to rejuvenate the daily learning of Rambam, as instituted by the Rebbe.

“We have the ability and the need to connect every Jew,” he said, and mentioned the court ruling in England on what is considered a Jewish identity.

“The problem of ‘Who is a Jew’ has become an international problem,” he said. “The world is now beginning to understand that the Rebbe’s approach is the right one,” he concluded.