After the Festival of the Future program by Merkos 302’s Moshiach Office launched at over one hundred and eighty Chabad Houses last year, hundreds of shluchim worldwide are gearing up to host the revamped Festival of the Future’s, day-long Acharon Shel Pesach program exploring a new and relevant theme of “Optimal Life.”
“Since Oct. 7th and more recently, the war in Iran, shluchim have been seeing a real awakening of interest in the Jewish approach to the Holy Land and the fundamentals of Geulah,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Executive Director of Merkos 302. “Jews worldwide are seeking clarity, and our goal is to give them a relevant, personal feel for Eretz Yisroel and Moshiach.”
In Montego Bay, Jamaica, Rabbi Yaakov Raskin of Chabad of Jamaica saw an immediate impact. His community, a mix of locals and vacationers with little prior knowledge of Jewish traditions, had never experienced a Moshiach Seudah quite like this.
“It was the best Moshiach Seudah we ever had,” said Raskin. The structured materials and engaging format resonated deeply, making the event both accessible and inspiring. Excited by the impact, Rabbi Raskin is already planning for this year, eager to introduce the Seder Nigunim Companion to enhance the experience even further. “We know the people will love it,” he says.
In Oxnard, California, Rabbi Dov Muchnik faces a unique challenge: his community includes a mix of observant vacationers, second-homeowners, and locals who are mostly unaffiliated. Over the years, he found that the end of Yom Tov offered a perfect opportunity to engage visitors and residents alike, but making the experience meaningful was not always easy.
“The material provided for the Moshiach Seudah was a tremendous help and really boosted the program,” he explains. The beautifully designed booklets captivated attendees, making the themes of Moshiach more relatable. But what truly stood out was the impact on children. “The children’s resources definitely helped them feel like they were part of it, and not just running around.”
Across the world in Newcastle, Australia, Rabbi Yossi Rodal of Chabad of The Hunter had struggled to integrate Moshiach Seudah into his community’s busy Pesach schedule. “We’re so focused on the Seder that Moshiach Seudah always felt like an afterthought,” he admits.
But two years ago, something changed. With the new program, Moshiach Seudah became a natural extension of Pesach rather than an add-on. “For many, it was a conclusion to the Seder; for others, it was the only part they attended.”
The intimate setting, the carefully curated mix of nigunim and classic Jewish songs, and concise messages made the experience deeply moving. “Each part of the program was short and relevant. We will definitely be using it again this year,” Rabbi Rodal says.
In Long Beach, New York, Rabbi Eli Goodman had always hosted a farbrengen for Moshiach Seudah, but attendance was limited to those already very affiliated with the shul. That changed when he introduced the Festival of the Future program. “The program has really taken Moshiach Seudah to a new level,” he says.
The structured materials and guided discussions allowed him to open the event to a broader audience, those who wouldn’t typically come to shul for Mincha or Maariv. “The Rabbi’s speech was a great added bonus, and the Seder Nigunim Companion has been used throughout the year, not just at Moshiach Seudah.”
Festival of the Future 5786 is now available for purchase. It includes a full-day program that informs, engages, and inspires children, young professionals, and adults around the important messages from the Haftorah of Acharon Shel Pesach.
This year’s new theme, Optimal Life, unpacks the concept of Mach Dah Eretz Yisrael. The program takes participants on a visual tour of Eretz Yisrael, gleaning lessons from chassidus on aligning thought, speech, and action with purpose. Ultimately, the four parts, packed with stories, meshalim, lessons, and takeaways, will drive home the theme of optimizing one’s mental well-being from Torah sources, aligning life with Moshiach ideals.
Festival of the Future is available for order now at festivalfuture.org.
For more information, visit festivalfuture.org, or contact us at [email protected], or WhatsApp +1 (347) 343-4514.
