Every year thousands of Shluchim travel to the Kinus to reconnect, recharge and refocus. It is an opportunity to spiritually rejuvenate, and for many Shluchim the Kinus is the high point of the year.
Unfortunately, many Shluchim struggle to pay for daily necessities, and cannot afford the airfare to attend. Therefore, for the past 10 years the Kinus Travel Fund has helped Shluchim with travel expenses, either partially or in full. This year, in honor of Hakhel, the fund – administered by Florida Shliach Rabbi Moshe Lazaros – has undertaken a massive commitment to bring 121 Shluchim from all over the globe.
The following story illustrates how much the Rebbe cared Shluchim should come to the Kinus, especially Hakhel: (reprinted from Derher with permission)
During the Kinus Hashluchim of 5748 the Rebbe distributed kuntreisim to the shluchim. A shliach from Brazil was present and upon giving him the kuntres the Rebbe mentioned how it was nice to see him here after his being absent for the past 15 years. Being accustomed to visiting the Rebbe every two to three years, the shliach was confused by the Rebbe’s words. After asking a few people for an explanation without receiving a satisfactory answer, he decided to ask the Rebbe the meaning of his words.
On one of his letters he received back from the Rebbe the following was written: “Regarding what I said about not seeing you for 15 years, this comes in relation to what I’ve been speaking about lately at great length, about Hakhel, and in connection with the last two Hakhels [i.e. he had not been by the Rebbe during those Hakhel years]. You should be mevatel this chazakah by your visit now.”
Indeed, upon investigation, it turned out that from the year 5719 till the year 5748 he had missed two Hakhel years. Each time he didn’t come for Hakhel, it was like he wasn’t by the Rebbe for 7 years!
$75,000 will be distributed as follows:
25 Shluchim from Argentina will receive $800 grants
2 Shluchim from Australia will receive $1,000 grants
1 Shliach from Austria will receive a $400 grant
1 Shliach from Azerbaijan will receive a $600 grant
10 Shluchim from Brazil will receive $600 grants
1 Shliach from Canada will receive a $200 grant
4 Shluchim from United Kingdom will receive $400 grants
8 Shluchim from France will receive $400 grants
5 Shluchim from Germany will receive $400 grants
1 Shliach from Greece will receive a $400 grant
30 Shluchim from Israel will receive $600 grants
1 Shliach from Panama will receive a $600 grant
1 Shliach from Romania will receive a $600 grant
15 Shluchim from Russia will receive $1000 grants
2 Shluchim from South Africa will receive $400 grants
1 Shliach from Switzerland will receive a $400 grant
13 Shluchim in the United States will receive $200 – $400 grants
Thank you Chabad.org for donating the fundraising platform and publicizing the initiative.
Thank you COLlive.com and the Shluchim Office for publicizing.
How to get involved:
Zelle: [email protected]
Cash App: $MosheLazaros
Venmo: @Moshe-Lazaros
Who does one contact to apply for the grant