By COLlive reporter
A “Global Virtual Kinus Hashluchim” will be held online for the first time on Tuesday, an ambitious effort gathering thousands of Chabad Shluchim for a virtual event.
Thousands are expected to participate, a source told COLlive.com. “It will be truly an international Kinus since there will be participation from Shluchim from time zones in America, Europe and Israel.”
The virtual Kinus will not replace the annual in-person conferences that are held annually around this time in each region of the United States, in provinces in Canada, neighboring countries in Europe, and South America. These will G-d willing take place at a later date, either online or in-person based on how regional quarantines and restrictions continue, to address topics pertaining to that specific region, a source told COLlive.
But for now, with travel still limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing regulations still in place, Shluchim will not be able to meet and spend the day or weekend in Farbrengen and discussions.
Instead, Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch will try to replicate the feeling of camaraderie during a day-long online program that will include 30 workshops in Hebrew, English, and Spanish, shiurim, video presentations and panel discussions. The focus will be on dealing with the current crisis, and will share practical ideas and techniques to support Shlichus and family life in these times.
The Virtual Kinus is being coordinated by Merkos 302, the Vaad of the Kinus Hashluchim, and a large team of people.
The schedule includes talks on faith in Hashem during difficult times, creating a support system in Chabad centers and how to continue serving Jewish communities while in isolation.
One talk will present 10 tips on Shlichus learned from Rabbi Benny Wolff OBM, the Shliach in Hanover, Germany, who recently passed away at the age of 43. It will be delivered by Hamburg Shliach Rabbi Shmuel Havlin.
A special memorial will be led by Rabbi Yossi Groner, Head Shliach of the Carolinas, honoring the memory of all those who passed away because of the virus, including his own father, Rabbi Leibel Groner, Mazkir of the Rebbe.
The Kinus day will conclude with a live broadcast from the Rebbe’s Ohel where a ‘pan kloli’ will be read on behalf of Shluchim. It requests blessings for all those who are still infected and all those suffering from the pandemic.
what time is the conference