In the spirit of the holiday of Sukkos being a time associated with the seventy nations of the world, Crown Heights activist Rabbi Chanina Sperlin hosted a gathering at his sukkah on Monday.
Participants were Ambassador Jakub Kulhanek, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic at the UN and Ambassador Dr Agnes Chimbiri- Molande, Permanent Representative of Malawi to the United Nations, and Leroy F. Major, Consul General of The Bahamas in New York.
They were also joined by Lloyd Mahowe, a senior executive of Emirates Airways based in New York City, and Eli Slavin, representing the office of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
The gathering was organized by Yaakov Flitchkin, Executive Director alliance for global cooperation, who opened by delivering welcoming remarks.
He warmly welcomed the guests and expressed gratitude for their friendship, to the Jewish community in general, and in particular for their visit to Crown Heights, home of the Chabad Lubavitch headquarters.
Rabbi Sperlin explained about the Sukkah and the spiritual guests who join with us each night, highlighting that two of the guests bear the name of our forefather Yaakov, who is the guest on this night of the holiday.
Rabbi Eli Cohen, of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, spoke about the connection of the United Nations and its mission of bringing peace to the world with the mission of the Chabad movement in bringing about the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah “Nation will not lift sword unto nation.”
The diplomats each took their turn to acknowledge their commitment to peace, their friendship to the Jewish People and to the Country of Israel.
Activist Shneor Zalmen Halperin told Lloyd Mahowe, a senior executive of Emirates Airways based in New York City, that the Jewish people are very grateful for the work of the airline, for their great help in transporting kosher meat.
Ambassador Kulhanek spoke proudly of the vibrant Czech Jewish community and the long history of Jews in that country. Ambassador Chimbiri-Molande was happy to report of recent meetings to discuss reopening an embassy of Malawi in Israel. She was also eager to mention that her daughter Golda who accompanied her on the visit was named for a Prime Minister of Israel, Golda Meir.
Consul General Major spoke of the millions of tourists who visit his country of 700 islands annually, and of the strong Jewish presence there. He and the other diplomats all thanked Yaakov Flitchkin for the friendship and hospitality extended to them.
They all looked forward to strengthening their ties to the Jewish community.
Great work shneor Halperin keep on your great job!
Thank you Chanina for hosting such a special event on our behalf!
Great job in crown Heights now the world !