By COLlive reporter
Over 40 Chabad Shluchim of Long Island held their annual kinus in Brookville, NY at the beautiful Chabad House of Rabbi and Mrs. Mendy Heber, on Sunday, 3 Menachem Av.
Discussions ranged from a new Hebrew School curriculum to teen programs and joint events. The theme of the day’s events was “How to reach every Jew on Long Island.”
Discussions ways to strengthen the many services that Chabad offers the Jewish Community year round, some sessions led by Rabbi Zalman Loewenthal of CKids, Rabbi Chaim Landa of ChabadOne.org PR office, and Mr. Bentzion Janshvili of GraphicIQ concerning branding.
Particular attention was paid to the expansion of the Chabad Rabbinical Network of Long Island, CRN or Vaad Rabonei Lubavitch of Long Island will represent all 51 Chabad Rabbis and the 34 Chabad Lubavitch Centers in Nassau and Suffolk.
Amongst its services will be a Beis Din to adjudicate in conflict areas, encourage observance of and answer all questions about Taharas Hamishpacha (Laws of Family Purity), provide Rabbis for Kidushin (Marriages), arrange for Gitin (Divorces) to be performed on Long Island.
They will also handle the sale of Chametz for individuals and businesses, work with local Orthodox Chevre Kadisha (burial societies) to encourage kvura k’halacha (kosher burial), strengthen Jewish funeral practices throughout Long Island, provide Rabbis to conduct all services, and answer any and all questions in Jewish Law.
Its administrator will be Rabbi Levi Gurkov of Oceanside, NY, and it will work with local Rabbonim to ensure the best possible services for the Jewish community at large.
Rabbi Tuvia Teldon, Regional Director of Chabad Lubavitch on Long Island, commented that “the sense of unity of purpose amongst the Rabbis was exemplary.” He looks forward to an exciting year of growth for all the centers.
An evening dinner concluding the Kinus was attended by shluchos as well and emceed by Rabbi Aizik Baumgarten of Montauk. Presented there were Rabbi Mendel and Sarale Paltiel (nee Cohen) who were recently appointed as the new Shluchim to Manhasset, a hamlet in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island.
After showing Living Torah, Rabbi Heber welcomed the participants and made a siyum for the Nine Days, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Raskin gave the Dvar Malchus, and Michael Klipper represented the community in Brookville, sharing stories of how the Rebbe and his Shluchim have changed his life.
Rabbi Shmuel Butman spoke on behalf of the Vaad of Tzach – Lubavitch Youth Organization in New York, who were all in attendance.
The keynote speaker was Rabbi Efraim Mintz, Director of the Jewish Learning Network (JLI) which has 15 chapters on the Island. He mesmerized the shluchim with his comments on a Question the Rebbe asked Chaim Potok 36 years ago. After dinner Rabbi Mintz continued with a farbrengen.
He was my rebbe in eighth grade in early 70’s.God blesshim.
So good to see him baruch hashem helping still with Tzach@!!
much hatzlacha in your shlichus! that man does such amazing work!
The Article does not seem to indicate the identity of the Rabbis appointed to the Vaad. Anyone know who they are? Either way, I wish them much hatzlacha
The most creative Shliach. Go Rabbí Pearl!!